Buffalo's Fire Sections

Murdered & Missing Indigenous Peoples

Reporting on the MMIP crisis, efforts to address it and the stories of those affected.
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Safety Signal

North Dakota’s Feather Alert to roll out in August

After some reworking, law enforcement backs newest alert system
By Brian Bull
MMIP
What caused a splash in the Missouri River the night Renzo Bullhead disappeared?
Surveillance video released through records request shows disturbance in the water
By Brian Bull
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Missing and Murdered
Daughter remembers Kristin Bruce as a woman ‘full of life’
Missing woman’s body found on Turtle Mountain Reservation
By Brian Bull
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Missing and Murdered
Renzo Bullhead’s family hang on to hope and prayer as search continues
Nearly 11 weeks in, Bullhead’s disappearance remains a mystery
By Brian Bull
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Seeking Justice
Xia Brave Bull’s siblings recall generous, adventurous, ‘crazy’ person
Family awaits answers after Brave Bull found dead
By Brian Bull
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Missing and murdered
Xia Brave Bull, missing since March, found dead
The body of the Cheyenne River Sioux woman was found outside her community
By Avis Red Bear
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Opinion
Cheyenne River Sioux families walk to draw attention to allegations of mistreatment at the jail
Community prays for justice, healing
By Tonah Rae Fishinghawk
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Voices Raised
Native university students share poetry, songs to honor MMIP victims and survivors
Oregon event highlights disproportionate rates of violence against women in Indian Country
By Brian Bull
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Explainer
Why we use ‘Murdered and Missing Indigenous Peoples’ at Buffalo’s Fire
We use MMIP in our reporting while honoring community use of MMIR
By Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D.
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Honoring Lives
MMIP organization holds first annual gathering for victims’ families, advocates
Relatives share impacts of Indian Country’s lost and murdered crisis
By Brian Bull
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Opinion
Why Buffalo’s Fire was red for one day
May 5 is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
By Buffalo's Fire
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Investigative Support
MMIP advocates and lawmakers react to FBI’s latest 'surge'
While some welcome the latest iteration of Operation Not Forgotten, others are wary of overreach
By Brian Bull and Brian Bull
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Alert Debate
“Feather Alert” bill for MMIP cases debated in North Dakota Legislature
Law enforcement raises objections over language and scope of the legislation while relatives of Renzo Bullhead urge its passage
By Brian Bull
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Community Search
MMIR: Native community unites in water and ground search for Standing Rock man, last seen on train bridge
It’s been 10 days since Renzo Bullhead disappeared
By Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
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Unsolved Cases
BIA’s Missing and Murdered Unit Tackles Crisis with Operation Spirit Return
The BIA’s new initiative aims to identify and return unidentified Indigenous remains to their families
By Buffalo's Fire
MMIP Progress
Two MMIP proposals advance at North Dakota Statehouse
Native legislator amends bill to empower tribal authorities
By Talli Nauman
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Crisis Response
North Dakota bills address MMIP crisis with interagency task force, new ‘Feather Alert’
Rep. Jayme Davis: ‘We need to have everybody at the table and have the resources’
By Talli Nauman
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Buffalo’s Fire Awards
Report for America announces 100+ newsroom partners and the opening of new corps member applications
Selections include 66 local newsroom partners and corps member positions, 35 accelerator program participants, with expanded photojournalist and education reporter opportunities still to be announced
By Buffalo's Fire
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Red Ribbon Skirt Society uplifts families facing MMIP crisis
Founder Lily Mendoza earns Bush Fellowship to ‘find healing in Lakota lifeways’
By Adrianna Adame and Adrianna Adame
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Jurisdictional Maze: North Dakota families frustrated with lack of communication in MMIP Cases
Families seek clarity amidst bureaucratic hurdles in search for missing loved ones
By Alicia Hegland-Thorpe and Alicia Hegland-Thorpe
MMIP Feature