Community & Social Wellness

In a rural and geographically isolated region, access to housing, food security, reliable energy infrastructure and essential services—along with the ability to live in safety—all play a critical role in daily well-being. Community and social wellness efforts focus on the conditions that improve stability, care and safety for Yurok people across the reservation and surrounding communities.

Support in this area helps strengthen programs that address basic needs, safety and community-based care, including housing access, food availability and infrastructure that maintains healthy living. These efforts are grounded in dignity, protection and the ability of families and individuals to thrive in a connected and safe community.

Strengthening the foundations of Yurok community life through housing, care, and justice.

Current Priority

The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) is a national and regional issue marked by disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance and homicide affecting Indigenous people—particularly Indigenous women and girls. This work supports survivors and families through advocacy, healing and public awareness, and includes Yurok-led efforts as well as collaboration with local, statewide and national initiatives that elevate Indigenous voices, strengthen coordination and advance accountability and safety.

4th Annual MMIP Tribal Policy Summit held at Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Sacramento Fire Mountain. February 3-4th, 2026.

4th Annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Tribal Policy Summit

“I want to let the people going through this tragedy know: we hear you, we see you.” - Joseph L. James, Chairman of the Yurok Tribe.

Across two days, participants engaged in dialogue centered on solutions, systemic barriers and opportunities for stronger collaboration. Tribal leaders and community members courageously shared deeply personal stories of loss, unresolved investigations and the enduring impacts of violence. Research continues to reveal stark disparities, with cases involving Indigenous victims significantly less likely to be fully investigated or solved. The summit reflected both the weight of these realities and growing momentum toward greater awareness, accountability and meaningful action.

The 4th Annual MMIP Tribal Policy Summit was presented by the Yurok Tribe, Jamul Indian Village, Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria and Seminole Tribe of Florida. Additional support was provided by Decolonizing Wealth – CA Truth & Healing Fund, Wilton Rancheria, Graton Rancheria, The California Wellness Foundation, Common Counsel - Native Voices Rising, Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Karuk Tribe, Community West Bank, Indigenous Justice, Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, Morongo Tribe, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Saboba Tribe, Pechanga Tribe, Save California Salmon, Greenville Rancheria, Redding Tribe, Sycuan Tribe, Hoopa Tribe, Elk Valley, Sports Betting Alliance, Southern CA Tribal Chairpersons Association, California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA), Grey O.A.K, LLC, Women for Wolves, San Diego Foundation, Pukúu Cultural Community Services and San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.