In a bid to tackle the escalating crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), the District of Arizona has announced, a strategic move to appoint a regional coordinator focused on improving the speed and effectiveness of related investigations, this position is part of a larger Justice Department initiative aimed at addressing the issue.

U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, based in Tucson, emphasized the crucial role of this new coordinator, "Their role is going to be to engage with our tribal partners to see what types of training is needed, to see what we can do to get more, in a word, alacrity to move faster and quicker on these types of investigations," Restaino told Arizona Public Media. Funding for these initiatives includes a substantial $92 million from the Bureau of Justice Programs awarded to Arizona tribal entities and select non-governmental organizations.

Restaino also touched upon the need for prosecutors to enhance the manner in which information is communicated to the families of the victims, aiming for greater sensitivity to Tribal cultures and more confidence in the investigative process, "We're just excited at the additional resources. And we're excited that Arizona will be front and center in those efforts," he continued in his interview with Arizona Public Media.

This federal boost in funding and resources represents not just a financial investment, but a beacon of hope for Indigenous communities long fraught with delayed justice and unresolved cases.