Arizona implements “Turquoise Alert” system through Emily’s Law to help find missing Native Americans, in response to the tragic death of a San Carlos Apache teenager.
At a Glance
- Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed “Emily’s Law” establishing a “turquoise alert” system for missing Native Americans
- The law is named after Emily Pike, a San Carlos Apache teen whose disappearance and death highlighted systemic failures
- The system allows authorities to quickly issue alerts for Native Americans under 65 who go missing under suspicious circumstances
- Arizona joins Washington, Colorado, California, New Mexico, and North Dakota in implementing specialized alert systems for Indigenous people
- The legislation received unanimous support from Arizona lawmakers
Addressing a Crisis in Native Communities
Arizona has taken decisive action to address the disproportionate number of disappearances among Native Americans with the signing of “Emily’s Law.” The legislation establishes a specialized “turquoise alert” system designed to rapidly share information when Indigenous people go missing. The name “turquoise” carries spiritual and cultural significance to many Native American tribes, recognizing the sacred importance of this response system. The law equips law enforcement with tools to issue alerts for missing Indigenous individuals under age 65 who are believed to be in danger or missing under suspicious circumstances.
The alert system stands as part of a broader national movement addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Similar systems have been implemented in Washington, Colorado, California, New Mexico, and North Dakota, each using culturally significant names like “turquoise” or “feather” alerts. Arizona’s system will specifically cover members of federally recognized tribes, addressing a long-standing gap in emergency response protocols that has devastated Native communities across the state.
Emily Pike’s Legacy
The legislation bears the name of Emily Pike, a teenager from the San Carlos Apache tribe whose disappearance and death in 2022 revealed critical failures in Arizona’s response to missing Native Americans. Pike went missing from a group home, but authorities did not immediately act on reports of her disappearance. Her remains were later discovered in April 2022. The case has prompted additional investigation by Arizona lawmakers into the state’s Department of Child Services and their group home regulations.
“It breaks my heart that we, the state of Arizona, didn’t even go looking for this little girl. No one looked for her. We cannot let children go missing without somebody being alerted.” – Rep. Teresa Martinez.
Both the FBI and the San Carlos Apache Tribe are currently offering rewards for information related to Pike’s disappearance and death. Her case has become a rallying point for advocates seeking justice not only for Emily but for all missing and murdered Indigenous people. Though the alert system comes too late to help Emily, her family has expressed hope that her legacy will save others from similar tragedy.
Federal Support for Enhanced Alerts
The Arizona system’s implementation coincides with action at the federal level. The Federal Communications Commission recently established a new national alert code specifically designed for missing and endangered persons. This code will particularly benefit Native American, Alaska Native, and Black communities, which experience disproportionate rates of disappearances. The unanimous approval of Emily’s Law by Arizona lawmakers demonstrates the widespread recognition of this crisis across political lines.
“Like my sister says, even though she’s not here with us, she’s still making a difference.” – Allred Pike Jr.
The turquoise alert system represents a significant step forward in Arizona’s approach to missing persons cases involving Native Americans. With proper implementation, authorities will now have clear protocols for rapid response and information sharing when Indigenous community members disappear. The system acknowledges the unique challenges facing Native communities and establishes a framework for more effective and culturally sensitive emergency response.
