Editor’s Note: This story contains sensitive subject matter that readers may find upsetting. 

During the morning of May 21 on the ninth-floor of the Executive Tower inside of the Arizona Capitol Building, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs approached the lectern as she clutched House Bill 2281, also known as the ‘Turquoise Alert System’ bill, in her hands. 

HB 2281 is a statewide emergency system which will be implemented later this summer in the state of Arizona. 

The alert system will help locate missing and endangered Indigenous people under the age of 65. The alert system will work alongside the already existing Amber (child abduction) and Silver (senior citizens with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other mental disabilities) alerts in the state. 

Heavy hearts filled the inside of the executive rotunda, which contained the 22 Arizona tribal flags the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community temporary housed earlier this year in April. President Martin Harvier was among the many supporters in attendance.

“We are here because the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people deserves our full attention, actions and solutions,” Hobbs began.  Many distinguished guests, including Hobbs herself, wore red clothing as added showcasing of support to the MMIP tragedies. 

Hobbs continued, “I am so glad that we are able to come together in a bipartisan way to pass common sense legislation that will increase public safety.”

Standing next to Hobbs was Emily Pike’s mother, Stephanie, as well as Allred Pike Jr., Emily’s Uncle. Emily Pike is from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and whose tragic death this year amplified swift legislative action within the state, prompting the creation of the new alert system. However, the Pike family has wished House Bill not to be referred to as “Emily’s Law” due to the family still grieving from their unimaginable loss. Pike’s golden birthday was on May 15. 

Before he approached the lectern to provide a statement on behalf of the family, Pike Jr. offered Emily’s mother Stephanie an opportunity to speak. Understandably so, she declined as she was overcome with emotions. She would later be excused from the bill signing ceremony and would be later tended to by Hobbs’ security and administration team. 

Speaking on behalf of the family, Emily’s uncle’s heart remained at a crossroads. 

“I’m conflicted,” he began. “This bill is named after my niece, my niece who is not here no more. That reminds us that she’s not here, she’s gone. It’s a good thing that an alert system is here for all of Indian Country, but the hard part is that it’s named after my brother’s daughter, and she’s not here no more.”

Silence filled the room as Pike spoke clearly and from the heart, constantly fighting back strong emotions. He thanked Hobbs and the representatives who helped pass the bill into law, noting that the alert system will enact a positive change for the future. “Thank you for your due diligence,” he said.  

He continued, “We’re here to tell you, she mattered. Emily’s life mattered.”

Following his remarks, Arizona Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (Navajo) D-District 6, stated that though she was very proud of the bill being signed, more work needs to be done, specifically with tribal nations needing to collaborate as one as opposed to working individually. 

In the days following the bill signing, nationwide supporters of the Turquoise Alert System began to send in their support. 

“The implementation of Emily’s Law not only serves as a crucial step towards addressing the needs of Indigenous communities but also reinforces our shared responsibility to create a more just and equitable society for all,” said Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians and co-chair of National Congress of American Indians Task Force on Violence Against Women.

Other states, like New Mexico and Washington state, have similar laws to help address the MMIP crisis.

There is currently a $175,000 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) responsible for Emily Pike’s death.