Reward program launched to help missing and murdered Indigenous relatives cases in Minnesota
Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office is launching a tip program to help advance their investigations.
The Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Tip Program will offer rewards of up to $10,000 for any information that meaningfully advances eligible MMIR investigations of suspicious deaths, missing persons and homicides, the office says.
Tips can remain anonymous, and the amount given is determined by local law enforcement.
"I'm hoping this reward program encourages people who have been holding information for far too long to come forward," said Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin. "It's time to give these families closure."
There are 16 cases that are eligible for the tip reward.
Kateri Mishow went missing in Minneapolis in 2007.
Her mother Kathy Mishow recalled how she loved fishing and being outside.
"It's been almost 20 years. We still don't have any answers," Kathy Mishow said. "And we are still hoping that we might find some answers.
Lisa Ortley's son Frank Ortley was killed in Minneapolis, but three years later his case remains cold.
"I just need the justice, I need people to talk. There are people in our circle that know things that are not coming forward," said Lisa Ortley. "Every day is a struggle not only for me, but for his sisters."
Rachel Dionne-Thunder, co-founder of the Indigenous Protector Movement says a "theme of mistrust" is one of the factors that leads to the high number of cases involving Indigenous relatives.
"This mistrust runs deeper than just policing. It's tied to a long history of government institutions systematically failing, harming and erasing Indigenous people," she said.
Funds for the program come from sales of MMIR license plates, individual donations, and a one-time allocation of $250,000 from the state. The license plates were introduced in February 2024 and by the end of the year, 3,477 had been sold.
The program has raised an additional $100,000, the office says.
In 2024, the office says 716 Indigenous people were reported missing in Minnesota. While Indigenous women account for 1% of the state's population, 10% of missing women last year were Indigenous.
Anyone with information can submit tips anonymously to law enforcement or through Crime Stoppers.
