For decades, the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous people (MMIP) has plagued communities like the Navajo Nation.Yet change could be on the way, starting with a special unit under a newly sworn-in administration. "I really want to make sure that we're helping our people and our individuals that go missing," said Dr. Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation.While the MMIP crisis has been a big task for previous leaders, Nygren is ready to bring justice to families affected.Under a role, his efforts start with a special appointment to his cabinet. "I heard from families, and I've heard from people saying, 'We're not being heard. We're being ignored,'" he said. "Those are the tough discussions I want to have."John Tsosie will officially help address the epidemic, with plans to work one-on-one with family members and relatives of those missing and murdered.KOAT caught up with him in May 2022, after sharing his advocacy and awareness against domestic violence. He organizes walks and rallies through his own organization, Walking the Healing Path. However, Nygren's newest appointment is only the beginning of a long road ahead. The president says he also wants to have productive and meaningful conversations with law enforcement agencies on the Navajo Nation. Especially when it comes to needed resources, from more officers to broadband internet."It shouldn't be eight hours, it shouldn't be a day and a half before a police officer shows up. Somebody should show up right away," he said.Despite the hope for change, Nygren's proposed initiatives require some major planning and funding. Something the president isn't willing to back down from without a fight. The Navajo Nation is considered the largest land area held by a Native American group in the United States. Nearly 400,000 people are spread throughout northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico."That's where I want to challenge myself, and to really challenge some of the dollars that come down from the federal government," he said. "To make sure that we do have enough ."Similar plans of action for Vice President Richelle Montoya.As the first woman to hold the position in Navajo Nation history, she says there could be some benefits in her favor. Particularly when reaching out to grieving loved ones. "That's what I wanted when I wasn't a politician. I wanted somebody to talk to and listen to me, and so I really take that to heart," Montoya said.As for the reason why? She says it's all in hopes of some kind of closure. Something the vice president knows too well. Six years ago, Montoya lost her only son in a car accident."Some of these moms don't have that. They just don't know where their children are," she said. "So I believe that we have that empathy. That our council delegates, the executive branch, and the judicial branch will work hard to make sure that we have something for them to fall back on."That's why, like so many others, she's vowing for a transformation in the MMIP epidemic.One in which could lead to a happier and brighter future for people in the Navajo Nation, and change the future forever. "It didn't feel like anybody tried to look for them. I think the families at that point had given up on anybody helping them look for them. Now that we have social media to help look for our missing relatives, it's really helped," Montoya said. Nygren and his staff are expected to meet with the families of those missing and murdered starting in February.