PHOENIX — Tribal community members and activists gathered Tuesday at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza for a ceremony honoring Emily Pike, the 14-year-old girl who was killed in January, before marching to the Arizona Capitol to demand justice. The rally highlighted the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).
Pike’s remains were found last month in Gila County, nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where she was last seen on Jan. 27 in Mesa. Authorities, including the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and Tribal Police, continue searching for her killer. The Emily Pike case has become a symbol of the fight for a stronger response to the missing Indigenous people crisis in the United States.
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A pattern of disappearances
Protesters carried signs underscoring that Pike’s death is not an isolated case. According to official data, at least 91 Indigenous people remain missing in Arizona, though human rights advocates warn the actual number could be higher due to inadequate record-keeping and the complex jurisdiction between tribal, state and federal agencies.
Community organizations have criticized law enforcement for a lack of urgency when an Indigenous person goes missing. In many cases, reports are classified as voluntary runaways, limiting resources and reducing investigative priority. Pike was initially reported as a runaway from a group home, a designation that activists say hinders the prompt recovery of missing persons.
Pressure for legislative reform
During the protest, participants urged lawmakers to pass House Bill 2281, which would establish a state alert system for missing Indigenous people, similar to the Amber Alert used for abducted children.
Supporters of the proposal argue that a dedicated alert system could have accelerated the search for Pike, increasing the chances of finding her alive.
Similar systems have been implemented in Montana, Washington and Canada, with positive results in spreading awareness and locating missing Indigenous people.
A troubling discovery
Emily Pike’s remains were found on Feb. 14 near mile marker 277 on U.S. Highway 60, about 19 miles (30 kilometers) north of Globe. So far, authorities have not released details about the circumstances of her death but have assembled a multi-agency task force to continue the investigation.
Some protesters expressed concern about the location where she was found, noting that the remains of other Indigenous women have previously been discovered in similarly remote areas. Community organizations warn this could be part of a pattern of violence targeting Indigenous women, a longstanding issue in both the U.S. and Canada.
A growing movement
The protest in Phoenix is part of a series of marches, vigils and community efforts to keep attention on Pike’s case and the broader MMIP crisis. Tribal leaders and activists have called for greater transparency in investigations, increased funding for tribal agencies and improved coordination among different levels of government.
Pike’s tribe has offered a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Anyone with information can contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office or submit tips confidentially through an online reporting service.
As the march concluded in front of the Arizona Capitol, participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue fighting—not just for the Emily Pike case, but for every Indigenous person who has disappeared without answers.
Translated from Spanish by the Barriozona team with help from a generative AI tool.
© 2025, Eduardo Barraza. All rights reserved.
