Last week, national media was fixated on the death of Gabrielle Petito, a 22-year-old white woman whose disappearance prompted a nine-day search and intense social media attention. Amid this news, members of Indigenous communities emphasized that in Wyoming, where Petito’s remains were found, coverage of Indigenous homicide or missing person cases — particularly women’s — is sparse if not nonexistent. This week’s first source works on cases that lack publicity and represents Indigenous people in court.

Mary Kathryn Nagle is a partner at Pipestem and Nagle Law, P.C.; a counsel for the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center; and an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. As an attorney, Nagle specializes in tribal sovereignty and Indigenous people’s rights and safety. She represents families of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. Nagle has experience writing briefs for cases related to federal Indian laws such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal provisions under the Violence Against Women Act. She has litigated cases in the New York Supreme Court, United States Bankruptcy Court, and federal district courts across the country. 

In addition to disparities between the rates of violence against Indigenous people and whites, Indigenous people also face economic disparity compared to white people. This week’s second source researches these differences and can provide context on the issue. 

Randall Akee is an associate professor in the Department of Public Policy and American Indian Studies at UCLA. A microeconomist, Akee studies labor economics, economic development, and migration among Native Americans, First Nations, Native Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians. He has researched causes of migration and human trafficking; the effects of changes in household income on education level and obesity; the impact of political institutions on economic development; and the role of institutional property in individual investment decisions.

Sources of the Week on the news

Luis Zayas spoke to the Austin-American Statesman about record-high undergraduate Hispanic student enrollment at the University of Texas, Austin. ​​​​Henry Godinez spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times about American Mariachi, a new play he's directing. Fatima Goss Graves spoke to CNN about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy. Jawanza Williams went on PIX 11 News to discuss the Freedom to Vote Act that U.S. Senate Democrats aim to pass to protect voting rights. Sarah Audelo spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the Biden administration's tactics to mobilize young generations. 

Thanks to all who have been utilizing sources.npr.org!