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In this episode, we share the story of Quana Big Spring, a 17-year-old from Kansas City, who remains missing. She was last seen on October 30, 2023, when she went out for a walk around 7 p.m. and never returned home. Quana, who is 5’4” and 125 pounds, has gone missing twice before—each time facing dangers that highlight the systemic failures in protecting Indigenous youth.

Her case ties into the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), where nearly 3,000 Native American children were reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children between 2012 and 2021. Alarmingly, 90% were labeled as “endangered runaways.” This classification often leads to a lack of urgency in their cases, leaving families to search for answers on their own.

Sources:

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/quanas-story-national-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-peoples-crisis-unfolding-in-kansas-city

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/family-belton-police-need-help-finding-missing-teenager-quana-big-spring

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In December 2019, 16-year-old Lacey Kaide Arkinson was killed in a hit-and-run on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana. She was struck by Shoshana Saddler, who had been drinking at a local bar and fled the scene without stopping. 

In this episode, we discuss her life, the failures of the justice system, and why Indigenous victims deserve better.

Sources:

https://hilinetoday.com/woman-sentenced-to-18-months-for-2019-hit-and-run-death-of-teenager-in-rocky-boy/

https://www.hollandbonine.com/obituary/lacey-arkinson

https://www.ktvq.com/news/montana-news/hill-county-hit-and-run-victim-identified

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In this powerful update episode, we revisit the cases of Mika Westwolf, Michelle Elbow Shield, and Aubrey Dameron, three Indigenous individuals whose stories we’ve covered and whose families have fought tirelessly for answers.

After a long legal battle, Mika’s killer has finally been sentenced, bringing a measure of justice to her loved ones. Meanwhile, Michelle and Aubrey, who had been missing for years, have been found and identified. Their families now face the heartbreaking reality of loss, but their fight for justice is far from over.

Join us as we discuss these critical updates, the systemic issues that continue to impact MMIP cases, and what’s next in the pursuit of justice for Mika, Michelle, and Aubrey.

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In 1980, 10-year-old Michael Gann vanished without a trace from his home in Oklahoma. Despite efforts to find him, his case remains unsolved, leaving behind decades of unanswered questions. What happened to Michael that day? How did a young boy simply disappear? 

The lack of records, media coverage, and investigative updates isn’t unusual, it’s something we see far too often in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people. Even when the details are scarce, these stories still deserve to be told.

Sources:

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman-michael-sean-gann-8/136367654/?locale=en-US

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1982/07/27/boys-slayer-eludes-citys-police-for-year/62877543007/

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In this episode of We Are Resilient, we delve into the mysterious disappearance of Calvin Willie Martinez, a 31-year-old Navajo man who vanished without a trace in 2019. As questions mount and answers remain elusive, Calvin’s family’s fight for the truth reveals both the heartbreak and strength of a community refusing to give up. What happened on that fateful day?

Sources:

https://charleyproject.org/case/calvin-willie-martinez

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1098691

https://missingpersons.news/calvin-willie-martinez/

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Lloyd Bald Eagle, a 62 year-old Lakota man and military veteran, went missing from Rapid City, South Dakota, in November 2022. Nearly two years later, his remains were identified in October 2024, but questions still linger as his cause of death remains unclear. In this episode, we share Lloyd’s story, honor his life, and discuss the ongoing challenges faced by families impacted by the MMIP crisis.

Sources:

https://www.newscenter1.tv/lifestyle/who-was-lloyd-bald-eagle

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/lloyd-bald-eagle-obituary?id=56553632

https://www.kotatv.com/2024/10/17/police-identify-body-found-north-rapid-culvert/?outputType=amp

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/07/31/missing-murdered-filmmaker-producer-disappears/?outputType=amp

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Annie Mae Aquash was a Mi’kmaq activist and a powerful voice in the American Indian Movement. From her pivotal role at Wounded Knee to her tragic murder on Pine Ridge in 1975, her story remains one of courage, betrayal, and unanswered questions. In this episode, we honor Annie Mae’s legacy and delve into the truths and mysteries surrounding her life and untimely death.

Sources:
Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae on Hulu!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Mae_Aquash

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In this mini episode, we uncover the case of Matthew Broncho, a 30-year-old member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes who vanished from Fort Hall, Idaho, in March 2019. Years later, his remains were discovered in the desolate mountains of Utah, raising more questions than answers. What happened to Matthew, and who is responsible?

Sources:

https://people.com/skeletal-remains-found-in-remote-utah-mountain-range-identified-as-man-missing-since-2019-8643941

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/remains-of-idaho-man-missing-since-2019-found-in-box-elder-county

https://www.hawkerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Matthew-Broncho?obId=32922056

https://amp.idahostatesman.com/news/northwest/idaho/article288358070.html

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In this episode, we cover significant developments in two emotional cases. Nearly five years after Selena Not Afraid’s disappearance, an arrest has been made, bringing new hope for justice in her case. We also discuss the recent conclusion of a trial related to the 2021 deaths of Jessica “Jet” Calhoun and her daughter, Ah-Yo-Ka “Yoki Bear” Calhoun, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Tune in as we share these updates and honor the lives impacted by these devastating events.

Sources:

https://theonefeather.com/2024/12/11/wilnoty-receives-two-counts-of-felony-death-by-vehicle-murder-charges-dismissed/

https://www.ktvq.com/news/crime-watch/man-charged-5-years-after-disappearance-of-hardin-teen-selena-not-afraid

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In December 2017, 39-year-old Audra Willis was tragically murdered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a case that initially baffled investigators. For over a year, there were no leads, and her family was left without answers or justice. However, in a surprising turn of events, an unlikely witness came forward with crucial information providing the breakthrough needed to identify her killer.

Sources:
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/man-sentenced-for-stabbing-decapitating-homeless-woman-in-2017/

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/albuquerque-man-sentenced-for-decapitating-woman-in-2017/

https://www.koat.com/article/police-identify-woman-who-was-decapitated-found-in-four-hills/14520172

https://www.koat.com/article/albuquerque-foothills-man-guilty-2017-murder/43637341

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