We Are Resilient: An MMIP True Crime Podcast

Savannah Standing Bear was last seen in March of 2025 on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. In the months since her disappearance, there have been searches, sightings, and rumors but no clear answers as to what happened to her. Sources: https://www.bia.gov/missing-murdered-cases/savannah-standing-bear https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2025/11/25/searching-for-savannah-eight-months-and-no-answers-since-womans-disappearance/ https://ictnews.org/news/mountain-bureau/searching-for-savannah-eight-months-and-no-answers-since-womans-disappearance-on-rosebud-reservation/ https://www.nativesunnews.today/articles/searching-for-savannah-eight-months-and-no-answers-since-womans-disappearance/ Support the show

Bessie Walker, a 27-year-old woman from the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians in Fresno County, California, was last seen in early August 2021, and her death is considered suspicious by authorities. The case remains unsolved. Investigators are offering a $10,000 reward for information that could help bring answers in Bessie Walker’s case. Sources: https://amp.fresnobee.com/news/local/article261127852.html https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bessie-walker-indigenous-women-missing-murdered-rally_n_6165ebfce4b065a5496d0113/am https://abc30.com/amp/post/auberry-missing-bessie-walker-woman-fresno-county-mono-wind-casino/10970108/ https://fresnoalliance.com/fresno-county-didnt-do-a-thing/ Support the show

In this episode of We Are Resilient, we discuss the conviction of Nathan Chasing Horse, the former actor known for his role in Dances With Wolves. A Las Vegas jury found him guilty on multiple felony charges after weeks of testimony involving allegations of sexual abuse and abuse of authority. ⚠️ Content advisory: This episode includes discussion of child sexual abuse and coercion. Listener discretion advised. If you need support, contact the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1-844-7NATIVE or call/text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/17/nathan-chasing-horse-actor-sexual-abuse-trial https://law.justia.com/cases/nevada/supreme-court/2024/86538.html https://www.courthousenews.com/dances-with-wolves-actor-nathan-chasing-horse-convicted-on-sexual-abuse-charges/ https://apnews.com/article/nathan-chasing-horse-trial-d0b0d892f0bf07da25312601211a0a12 Support the show

On August 9, 2024, Alexia “Lexi” Marie De La Cerda, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, was brutally murdered by her boyfriend in White Shield, North Dakota. As her case moves through federal court, her family is questioning whether accountability can exist when the most serious charges are negotiated away. Sources: https://www.buffalosfire.com/plea-agreement-could-scrub-murder-charge-in-north-dakota-mmip-case https://www.minotdailynews.com/obituaries/2024/08/alexia-de-la-cerda/ https://www.kxnet.com/news/top-stories/murder-charge-reduced-plea/amp/ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2024/08/27/white-shield-man-charged-with-murder-womans-death-attack-caught-camera/?outputType=amp Support the show

In early 2025, a 68-year-old Lenart Brown Eyes Jr., Oglala Sioux, was killed in Rapid City, South Dakota. While his killer was ultimately held accountable, justice does not erase the loss and Indigenous men are too often left out of conversations about violence and remembrance. Sources: https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/lenart-randall-brown-eyes-jr/ https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/woman-convicted-of-murder-attempted-murder/amp/ Support the show

Sa’Wade Birdinground, a 13-year-old girl from Montana vanished from her grandparents’ home late at night in October 2024. A member of the Three Affliated Tribes, her disappearance was completely out of character. More than a year later, with searches exhausted and questions unanswered, investigators believe someone knows what happened. Sources: https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/father-of-missing-garryowen-13-year-old-sawade-birdinground-remains-hopeful https://www.bia.gov/missing-murdered-cases/sawade-birdinground https://www.truecasefiles.com/2025/01/the-disappearance-of-sawade-birdinground.html?m=1 Support the show

Every Christmas Eve, We Are Resilient returns to the disappearance of Janice Marie Hannigan. Janice, a sixteen-year-old Yakama Nation citizen, vanished after being discharged from a hospital on Christmas Eve of 1971. She left alone, injured, and has never been seen again. This episode examines her case and the reminder that MMIP does not stop for the holidays. Sources: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/1l2pdbv/whereabouts_in_washington_a_yakama_girl_is/ https://themorbidlibrary.com/the-missing-janice-marie-hannigan/ Support the show

The 2024 disappearance of Jemini Posey, a young Indigenous mother from the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota, has taken on new urgency following the 2025 discovery of Isaac Hunt’s remains. Once treated as separate investigations, the two cases have now become connected through developments that led to an arrest in Isaac’s homicide. Jemini remains missing, and her family continues to seek answers. Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/jemini-poseys-disappearance-agencies-continue-153400593.html https://disappearedblog.com/jemini-posey/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna139664 https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/regional-news/man-charged-with-murder-after-brothers-remains-found-on-spirit-lake-reservation/ https://www.valleynewslive.com/2025/11/19/dangelo-hunt-man-accused-killing-his-brother-makes-initial-court-appearance/?outputType=amp https://www.valleynewslive.com/2025/11/19/dangelo-hunt-man-accused-killing-his-brother-makes-initial-court-appearance/?outputType=amp Support the show

16-year-old White Mountain Apache teen Challistia Colelay was reported missing on October 16, 2025 and later found deceased near Whitewater, Arizona, on November 3. At the time of recording, authorities had not reported any arrests. Since then, the family has stated that a teen suspect is now in custody, though the Bureau of Indian Affairs has not publicly confirmed the arrest. Who is responsible and why are families still left waiting for the truth? Sources: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/challistia-colelay-arrest-made-white-mountain-apache-girls-death.amp https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2025/11/14/remains-teen-challistia-tia-colelay-found-whiteriver-arizona/87229219007/ https://www.azfamily.com/2025/11/14/feds-offer-5k-reward-after-teen-girl-found-dead-eastern-arizona/?outputType=amp Support the show

Lakota Renville left home at 20, believing she was stepping into a new future. Two years later, in 2005, she was found in Independence, Missouri and nearly twenty years later, her case remains unsolved. One distinctive clue has been released, and investigators still believe someone recognizes it. Sources: https://fox4kc.com/news/still-no-answers-20-years-after-woman-found-stabbed-to-death-in-independence/amp/ https://lompocrecord.com/lakota-rae-renville/article_dd07e9c7-b1d2-50cb-91cc-1a605404ec1e.amp.html https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/4bsfxt/the2005_unsolved_murder_of_lakota_renville/ https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/mmip-series-i-team-focuses-on-2005-cold-case-murder-of-indigenous-woman-lakota-renville https://defrostingcoldcases.com/lakota-rae-renville-1983-2005/ https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/investigations/community-marks-18-years-since-lakota-renville-found-murdered-in-independence https://www.kctv5.com/video/2023/05/24/relatives-search-justice-lakota-renville-more-than-17-years-after-her-body-was-discovered/?outputType=amp Support the show

On a night meant for costumes and laughter, two Native teens vanished, years apart, in the same Minnesota town and neither has been seen since. In this Halloween special, we remember 17-year-old Jeremy “Worm” Jourdain and 15-year-old Nevaeh Kingbird, who disappeared under hauntingly similar circumstances in Bemidji, Minnesota. If you know anything, please come forward. Jeremy Jourdain: BIA MMU Tip Line — 1-833-560-2065 Nevaeh Kingbird: Bemidji PD — 218-333-9111 CrimeStoppers MN — 1-800-222-TIPS Sources: Jeremy Jourdain | Indian Affairs Jeremy Jourdain | International Missing Persons Wiki | Fandom Jeremy 'Worm' Jourdain Went Missing On Halloween 2016 | Investigation Discovery Minnesota teen Jeremy Jourdain still missing two years after disappearing from party on Halloween Search continues for Nevaeh Kingbird 4 years after her disappearance - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports Nevaeh Kingbird's disappearance leads sister down new career path | kare11.com The search continues for missing 15-year-old Nevaeh Kingbird in Bemidji, Minnesota Search continues for missing Bemidji teens near anniversary of disappearances - The Bemidji Pioneer is your #1 source for news, weather, and sports around Bemidji and throughout Minnesota. Support the show

In this mini-episode, released in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sheyahshe revisits the story of Ashlea Aldrich, a 29-year-old Indigenous mother from the Omaha Reservation whose death remains unsolved nearly five years later. On January 7th, 2020, Ashlea was found dead in a field near her home. Her family believes she was the victim of years of domestic violence and that their repeated pleas for help were ignored by the very systems meant to protect her. Ashlea’s story is not an isolated tragedy. It’s a reflection of a crisis, one where violence against Indigenous women is too often dismissed, and justice comes too late, if at all. Sources: https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/a-special-journal-report-family-still-seeking-justice-one-year-after-macy-womans-death/article_3041fa75-7249-5978-8697-2778757f78dc.html https://www.3newsnow.com/news/national/two-americas/two-americas-murdered-missing-indigenous-women-why-no-one-seems-to-care https://www.indianz.com/News/2020/01/10/this-is-one-of-the-most-heartbreaking-is.asp https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/family-claims-fbi-botched-investigation-of-indigenous-woman Support the show

In September 2025, tragedy struck when 50-year-old Carly Elizabeth Johnson, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, lost her life in Asheville, North Carolina. As investigators work to uncover the full truth, her story serves as another reminder of the ongoing crisis of violence impacting Indigenous women across the country. Sources: https://www.longhousefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Carly-Elizabeth-Johnson?obId=45520796 https://www.biltmorebeacon.com/news/suspect-charged-in-death-of-cherokee-woman/article_504e3434-a3b6-4495-aa2a-0e8f6b093d63.html https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2025/09/23/morning-homicide-kills-1-i-26-east-asheville-police/86308443007/ Support the show

This listener-requested episode shares the story of Besalynn Mary James, a 62-year-old Lummi elder who vanished from her home in Washington in January 2025. But after a delayed missing person report and months of searching, her loved ones are left heartbroken and demanding answers. Sources: https://www.king5.com/article/news/regional/native-america/family-searches-for-missing-lummi-elder-washington/281-9350d811-245d-435c-bfaf-b81d0ed13fda https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jul/18/lummi-police-name-boyfriend-as-person-of-interest-in-missing-elder-case/ https://www.king5.com/article/news/regional/native-america/family-of-missing-lummi-woman-demands-justice-boyfriend-named-person-of-interest/281-8eda959e-2417-48d2-9d68-594034bbf6f7 Support the show

In April 2025, 22-year-old Corbett LaPlant of Browning, Montana, was killed when his vehicle was forced off the road. The driver who caused the crash fled the scene and is still walking free. Corbett’s family has been met with silence and delays instead of answers. They reached out to us and asked for help making sure his name is not forgotten. Sources: https://m.facebook.com/groups/739188959270455/ https://www.montanarightnow.com/kalispell/new-information-released-on-brownings-second-fatal-crash-in-one-weekend/article_2f971595-2f1f-4aa5-8271-b6f775f6fc07.html Support the show

On April 23, 2001, Velda Chimoni was fatally shot during a robbery at a Whataburger on West Indian School Road in Phoenix. Over two decades later, her case remains unsolved, and her family continues to seek answers and justice. Sources: https://silentwitness.org/cases/homicide-velda-chimoni-450-w-indian-school-road-whataburger/ https://silentwitness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2001-4094-Flyer.pdf Support the show

In 1983, 18-year-old Terri McCauley, an Omaha Tribe member and mother of two, disappeared in Sioux City, Iowa. Days later, she was found murdered and for over 40 years, her case went cold. In January 2025, a suspect was finally indicted. Sources: https://www.ktiv.com/2025/01/13/man-arrested-1983-murder-terri-mccauley-sioux-city/?outputType=amp https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2025-01-13/a-break-in-an-iowa-cold-case-more-than-40-years-later https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2025/01/15/man-arrested-for-1983-killing-of-sioux-city-woman-terri-mccauley/77692881007/ Support the show

Elijah Maney, 25, member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was last seen after midnight on Aug. 10, 2025 entering the woods near 886 Lambert Branch Rd, Yellowhill Community, Cherokee, NC. He is described as 5’6”, slim build, medium brown skin, brown eyes, long straight black hair. Last seen in black t-shirt over white, black jeans, black shoes. If you have information regarding his whereabouts, please call the Cherokee Indian Police Department at (828) 497-4131 | Anonymous tips via Cherokee Police app. Donations for the family’s search efforts (gas/food) can be sent to Elijah’s sister via: Cash app: $RaePepion13 Venmo: @Raven-Pepion Support the show

Tiffany Reid, a 16-year-old from the Navajo Nation, left for school in Shiprock, New Mexico and never made it. Days later, her belongings were found miles away. Twenty years later, her family is still searching for answers. What happened to Tiffany? Sources: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna166378 Support the show

On the morning of January 25, 2022, in Tacoma, Washington, a 21-year-old Aidan Spear was on her way to rehab. She sent a message saying she’d be late. After that, she was never heard from again. This episode explores the silence surrounding her disappearance and how stigma and victim blaming continue to fail missing Indigenous women. Sources: https://charleyproject.org/case/aidan-victoria-spear https://medium.com/@Dallymunoz/disappearance-of-aiden-spear-609ad6479c36 https://wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Aidan-Spear.pdf https://www.facebook.com/share/1AgobD4hL9/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/pierce-county-detectives-searching-for-missing-21-year-old-woman.amp Support the show