News from the Northern Plains

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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On national day of awareness, MMIP crisis takes center stage

Theater campaign involves dozens of Native organizations

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit MMIP advocates push for inclusion

A year without answers: Renzo Bullhead’s family encourages those with information to come forward

Daughter’s concern for father grows after 11 months without contact

LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit MMIP advocates push for inclusion

‘The system often fails our relatives twice: once through violence and again through the paperwork’: Native LGBTQ+ community calls for data sovereignty, gender inclusive language and culturally relevant resources

A year without answers: Renzo Bullhead’s family encourages those with information to come forward

The college student went missing in North Dakota on March 16, 2025

Daughter’s concern for father grows after 11 months without contact

‘I just want to be able to hear my dad’s voice again,’ says Natasha-Marie Powassin

ShineThe Shine series will explore limitations and solutions to press freedom and government transparency in Indian Country.

‘Beyond frustrating’: Family claims they weren't properly notified about 16-year-old’s disappearance

Mason Cree’s aunt learns he is missing through social media post

Granddaughter searches for missing grandfather nearly 50 years after disappearance

Francis Houle went missing from the Colorado Springs area in 1979

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Native community holds MMIP prayer walk in Bismarck

Attendees gather on Valentine’s Day to remember loved ones, call for justice

No body, no crime? How prosecutors prove murder when a victim is missing

While proving a homicide without remains can be a challenge, conviction rates are high

Cadavers help MMIP search volunteers prepare for the worst

A trip to an anatomy lab teaches searchers to distinguish between human and animal remains. It also aims to lessen the shock of potentially gruesome discoveries

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Plea agreement could scrub murder charge in North Dakota MMIP case

Derick Wilkinson is charged with second degree murder for the 2024 death of Alexia De La Cerda

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Reporters’ Notebook: The year that was

Buffalo’s Fire reporters reflect on their biggest stories of 2025

By Buffalo's Fire

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Runaway children in the Dakotas account for majority of missing Indigenous persons reports

In September, at least 73 Native people were reported missing in North and South Dakota — 65 are children

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Q&A: Kimberly Lining on what it takes to be a volunteer for an MMIP organization

MMIW Search & Hope Alliance coordinator discusses upcoming volunteer training and misconceptions about the role

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MMIP Christmas tree shines brightly at North Dakota State Capitol

The tree features names of missing Indigenous people

D’Angelo Hunt pleads not guilty to murdering his older brother Isaac Hunt

Hunt also arraigned on charges connected to the ‘voluntary manslaughter’ of ‘J.M.P.’

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D’Angelo Hunt indicted for voluntary manslaughter of ‘J.M.P.’ — initials match missing partner Jemini Posey

Spirit Lake citizen Jemini Madeline Posey had tried ending their relationship before she disappeared

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Six year anniversary of Standing Rock unsolved murder

Nathaniel Iron Road was assaulted in 2019 and died from his injuries. His family and friends are still seeking justice

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Two boys missing from residential facility

Police and family looking for Angel Mendez and Zayne LaFountain

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Montana billboards demand justice for MMIP cases

The billboard project is expanding to Oregon

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Implementation of North Dakota’s Feather Alert system causes confusion

The alert ‘didn’t go out properly’ amid disappearance of Spirit Lake citizen

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