Morton woman named leader of new office dedicated to solving crimes against indigenous Minnesotans

A Morton woman has been picked to lead a new agency dedicated to solving crimes involving indigenous Minnesotans.

Juliet Rudie has been named director of the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR), the first office of its kind in the nation. 

The office will work with 11 sovereign tribes across Minnesota to locate missing and murdered Indigenous people. Indigenous women make up nine percent of all murdered women in Minnesota, despite making up only 1% of Minnesota’s population, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Rudie is a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community and a lifelong Minnesota resident.  She began her almost 28-year career as a patrol officer in St. Paul.   She joined the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office in 2011.  Her new position as director of the MMIR will begin on February 28.