Vanished: A Native American Epidemic

May 5th is known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. This special episode examines some of the current aspects of this epidemic, as well as some special reports from around Montana on this year's events in recognition of this crisis.

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One case is pushed to the spotlight on this day of awareness, as investigators identify the partially skeletonized remains of 37-year-old Miranda Rose Kenmille, a woman who has been missing from the Flathead Reservation for almost 9 months.

The circumstances of Kenmille’s death are still under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the office is asking for the public’s help.

Anyone with information that could be relevant to this case contact Lake County Detective Dan Yonkin at [email protected]

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A new documentary film focused on on the MMIP epidemic, particularly as it affects Big Horn County, Montana also debuts today.
If you would like to watch "Say Her Name" for free, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/3vLqfxC

When we think about someone going missing, we often think about the pain left behind when that person is lost. But there's another crisis sweeping through Indigenous communities that is just as impactful. Substance abuse and addiction are taking more and more people from their families and loved ones. Toni Lynn Arcoren shares the story of her addiction and the destruction it has wreaked on her life and those of her children.

Extra reading material:

The Department of Justice Journal of Federal Law and Practice is published six times a year by the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. Each issue focuses on a legal or technical topic of interest to attorneys in the United States Department of Justice. The most recent editions examine the MMIP epidemic from a variety of perspectives, and cites studies that examine substance abuse specifically.
You can read the journals here: https://bit.ly/3e3p2M3

On February 24th, 2021, friends and family members gathered for a memorial walk in honor of Kymani Littlebird on what would have been his 20th birthday. Kymani was found dead out by a small pond on the Northern Cheyenne on June 25th, 2020. A subsequent investigation by the BIA found no signs of foul play in his death and the coroner ruled his death a suicide. But his family vehemently disputes that conclusion and continue to cry out for justice.

A man pleads guilty to running the mother of his child, Lenita Goes Ahead, off the road on the Crow Reservation and then shooting and killing her in front of their 6-year-old.
This episode takes us through the tragic series of events leading to her untimely death.

Her father issued a statement after the incident, saying he chose to forgive the man for his actions. You can read the statement here: https://bit.ly/3sKnYRG

Here's a GoFundMe page with more information about Lenita: https://bit.ly/3e6oXaF

In a breaking episode of Vanished: A Native American Epidemic, we dive into a major development in the case of Mildred Old Crow, a child who was reported missing in November 2020. She was last seen in July of 2018.

Anyone who would like share information about Mildred or family members who would like to speak with me can send a message to: [email protected]

Searching for a missing loved one is never easy, but efforts are being made to make things a little easier for families in these circumstances in Montana. This episode keys in on two initiatives hoping to provide concrete support for Indigenous community members who are missing someone in their family.

Information about The Snowbird Fund: https://bit.ly/2ZAYNEN
Donate to The Snowbird Fund: https://bit.ly/3qrKP3R

Legislative Details on House Bill 35: https://bit.ly/3pJgKMz
Legislative Details on House Bill 36: https://bit.ly/2MOhce5

Henny Scott was known as a loving, funny, and talented girl on the Northern Cheyenne reservation. In December of 2018, she went missing while she was hanging out with friends until she was found dead two weeks later. We spoke with her parents to learn more about Henny and how the family has moved forward since their loss.

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS:
Senate Bill 4 which aimed to extend the state’s Missing Indigenous Persons task force passed through the senate with 41 yes votes and 9 no votes. The bill then went to the House Judiciary committee – which passed the bill with the amendments added. Now the bill will go back before the full House chamber for a second reading.: https://bit.ly/3qBf0oN

Two other bills up in this session could directly impact the efforts to combat the missing and murdered Indigenous persons epidemic in Montana.

House Bill 35 and 36 were introduced by Representative Sharon Peregroy of Crow Agency.

HB 35 would establish a missing persons review commission. The language of the bill further outlines tasks for this commission, which includes educational efforts and strategizing to optimize those types of investigations. $85,000 is to be appropriated towards this effort from the state’s general fund.

HB 35 just recently passed through the House Judiciary committee with amendments and is scheduled for a second reading by the committee.: https://bit.ly/3pJgKMz

HB 36 would establish a missing persons response team training grant program. Its purpose is to help fund training opportunities for community-based missing persons response teams. $61,000 is to be appropriated from the state’s general fund for this initiative.

HB 36 passed through the House with 100 Yes votes and has since been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. : https://bit.ly/2MOhce5

This episode of "Vanished" covers Senate Bill 4 which is currently in Montana's 67th Legislature. The bill aims to extend Montana's Missing Indigenous Person's Task Force, which was established in 2019.
Here are some links for more information:
SB 4 Details: https://bit.ly/3qBf0oN
HB 98 Details: https://bit.ly/3bVsXJW
LINC website under development: https://www.mmipmt.com/
Montana DOJ Missing Persons Data Project: https://dojmt.gov/missing-persons/data-project/

One year after she was reported missing, Selena Not Afraid's family might be closer to getting some closure and finding out exactly what led to her death.
In this episode we review the details of her case, learn more about who she was in life, and how her loved ones look forward without her.

If you have a story you would like to share, please send an email to [email protected]

In this episode, we'll lay out the goals of this podcast, share a preview of what the focus is, and invite those who want their story told to reach out.
If you would like to share your story, please send an email to [email protected].