MMIP Law Enforcement
Training conference

november 14th, 2025
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

at

Portola Hotel & Spa
Monterey, CA

about the event

Across the state, generations of California Natives, Indigenous individuals, and Tribes have mourned missing and murdered parents, siblings, children and grandchildren. This is not only a historical, social, and civil rights tragedy, it also speaks to an abiding cultural wounding that deserves national attention and action.

The MMIP Law Enforcement Training Conference is a localized response, calling for systemic relational improvement between legal systems, law enforcement, and California Native Tribes, both landed and urban, recognized and unrecognized.

What to expect

  • Preparation to develop effective MMIP response protocols between multiple agencies

  • Education on the intersections of MMIP cases with other crimes (e.g., domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking)

  • Resources for mediation, reconciliation, and healing services for families and survivors, as offered in accordance with Tribal and urban Native-Indigenous values, beliefs, and practices

  • Best practices for trust-building with Native Tribes, groups, and families, as well as techniques to recognize, identify, and assist high-risk individuals living on Tribal lands and in urban settings

event schedule

press conference
Thursday November 13, 2025
City Hall | Sand City, CA
1:00 - 2:00 pm

State and local officials will speak to the importance and role of the MMIP Law Enforcement Training as a pivotal moment in transforming MMIP response, justice, and prevention. Regional agency representatives, organizational executives, Tribal leaders, and concerned community members will also be in attendance.

pre-conference welcome reception
Thursday November 13, 2025
Portola hotel & spa | monterey, CA
6:00 - 8:00 pm

Registered press conference and training conference guests are invited to join us for a buffet dinner and social, generously provided by Portola Hotel & Spa. Beverages will be available for purchase at the bar.

training conference
Friday November 14, 2025
Portola hotel & spa | monterey, CA
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Designed in consultation with Chief Justice Janet K. Bill (Chukchansi) and Sand City Police Chief Dave Honda. California State POST Certification pending.

Morning and afternoon refreshments will be provided. Guests are invited to explore one of Monterey’s many local, walkable options for luncheon purchases.

lead trainers

  • Janet K. Bill

    CHUKCHANSI

    Director of Native American Affairs, Office of the Attorney General of California & Chief Justice, Tule River Indian Tribe of California.

  • Donna Bakich

    Monterey County Deputy District Attorney

  • Matthew L'Heureux

    Monterey County Assistant District Attorney

  • Maija Danilova West

    Retired attorney, specializing in supporting Native communities and domestic violence survivors

  • Cheyenne Bond

    CHOCTAW

    Enhanced Care Management Lead, MMIP Advocate and Educator, Bakersfield American Indian Health Project (BAIHP)

  • Tara Gray

    AHTNA ATHABASCAN

    Tribal Liaison, MMIP Advocate and Educator, Bakersfield American Indian Health Project (BAIHP)

about sicg

contact

SICG is a Native-led group that supports Native/Indigenous communities in their cultural protection, preservation, and social justice efforts. Under the leadership of Mayor Mary Ann Carbone (Chumash), we also bring together local tribal and supporting community organizations to strengthen our alliances and partnerships, and to collaborate on issues of urgent concern.

In 2023 SICG launched a strong local MMIP response in the form of an annual Red Dress Day: Raising Awareness of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People, an event that brings in 200+ participants and attendees with a broad array of sponsorships, media and televised coverage throughout Monterey County.

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION
please email

For questions about SICG please email
ISMANA CARNEY
Project Director and SICG Vice-Chair
ismanacarney@icloud.com