Eight months later, Rosebud family still searching for Savannah Standing Bear

Eight months after Savannah Standing Bear went missing from the Parmelee community on the Rosebud Reservation, her family continues to search for answers. Standing Bear, 23, was last heard from on March 24, according to South Dakota Searchlight and ICT. Her mother, Gayla Smith, described Standing Bear as someone who helped others. Her father, Severt Standing Bear, told South Dakota Searchlight he has lost track of how many times he’s undertaken trips to search for her.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Savannah’s whereabouts and said it is working on the case with the FBI and Rosebud Sioux Department of Public Safety. Native Americans make up 60% of South Dakota’s current missing persons cases, according to the state’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

Tips can be submitted to the BIA at 833-560-2065 or by emailing OJS_MMU@bia.gov.