RITA: BOOHZOO, AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF ALMANAC NORTH.

I'M RITA KARPPINEN, HOST OF TONIGHT'S "CORE CONVERSATION" ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES.

SOME MAY KNOW ME AS THE HOST OF PBS NORTH'S NATIVE REPORT.

I'VE BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT TELLING THE STORIES OF OUR ELDERS AND THOSE OF OUR LOST RELATIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND I AM HONORED TO HOST THIS LATEST INSTALLMENT OF "CORE CONVERSATIONS," A SHOW THAT LOOKS QUARTERLY AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES AND TOPICS IN OUR REGION.

IT'S AN EFFORT TO DIG DEEPER AND EDUCATE VIEWERS ON THESE SUBJECTS.

TONIGHT, OUR FOCUS IS ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES, AND SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS EPIDEMIC AND WHAT EFFORTS ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE TO PUT AN END TO THIS VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES.

TONIGHT'S BROADCAST WILL SHOWCASE EXPERT PERSPECTIVES FROM INDIVIDUALS RAISING AWARENESS, WORKING ON INTERVENTION AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGE.

THIS CONVERSATION WILL DELVE INTO THE HARSH REALITIES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

IF YOU'VE BEEN IMPACTED BY DOMENSTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE PLEASE TAKE THIS MOMENT AS YOUR CONTENT ADVISORY.

BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR CONVERSATION, WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO BEGIN THIS PROGRAM IN A GOOD WAY WITH A SONG FROM THE OSHKII GIIZHIK SINGERS.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SAYINE STRONG WOMAN'S SONG.

THE SONG COMES FROM MAGGIE PAUL FROM CANADA.

WHEN SHE WAS WORKING IN A PENITENTIARY UP NORTH, SHE MADE THIS SONG WITH A MINIMU -- THE WOMEN WHO WERE INCARCERATED.

THEY MADE THE SONG TO RECOGNIZE THEIR STRENGTH AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE DIFFICULTY OF BEING IN PRISON.

WHILE IN PRISON, A RIOT BROKE OUT AND THEY SING THIS SONG.

WHILE THEY WERE SINGING, NOBODY GOT HURT.

IT HAS GAINED LEGENDARY STATUS TO CROSS TURTLE ISLAND.

♪ ♪ RITA: HERE TO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES' EPIDEMIC AND THE IMPORTANCE OF RAISING AWARENESS IS FOUNDER OF NATIVE LIVES MATTER COALITION AND DULUTH INDIGENOUS COMISSIONER, RENE ANN GOODRICH.

SYSTEMS ADVOCATE AND ADVOCACY COORDINATOR PROGAM FOR AID TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR PAVSA, MAK MARS.

AND JENNIFER HOMMEREDING, OPERATIONS COORDINATOR OF MENDING THE SACRED HOOP.

WELCOME!

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

IN YOUR ADVOCACY COME OUT WHAT HAVE YOU WITNESSED AS FAR AS A GROUP CAUSES?

>> IN THE TWIN PORTS, HISTORICALLY IT WOULD BE THE OPPRESSION FROM COLONIZATION.

IT IS THE IMPACTS THAT WE SEE TODAY.

SOME OF THE VERY ROOT CAUSES OF THE EPIDEMIC ARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, THE BOARDING SCHOOL ERA, HOW IT IMPACTED GENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND THE SYSTEMS THAT HOLD THE VIOLENCE AND RACISM IN PLACE.

THAT IS MANIFESTED TODAY IN WHAT WE ARE SEEING AS AN INCREASE IN OUR WORLD OF OUR MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES.

LOOKING AT VIOLENCE FROM A DIFFERENT LENS AND REALLY EXAMINE THE ROOT CAUSES IS THE CHIEF CONTRIBUTORS TO THE ONGOING EPIDEMIC THAT IS IMPACTING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY.

HERE ON TURTLE ISLAND.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT IS LOOKING AT DEEPLY INTO THESE ROOT CAUSES TARGETING AND IDENTIFYING THE ROOT CAUSES AND REDEFINING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE VIOLENCE.

AND WE SEE HERE IN THE TWIN PORTS ONE OF THE CHIEF LEADING CAUSES IS THE FINANCIAL AND HOUSING INSECURITIES THAT IS REALLY PUSHING AND THAT IS DIRECTLY IMPACTED FROM GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

AND WE TRACE THAT BACK TO THE BOARDING SCHOOL ERA AND THE COLONIZATION.

RITA: IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.

HOW IS WORKING AT PAVSA INFORMED YOU ABOUT THE EPIDEMIC?

>> IT IS PARTIALLY MY WORK THERE AND MY WORK AT JUSTICE FOR NATIVE PEOPLE WHERE I KEEP A MASTER LIST FROM ALL THE RELATIVES FROM CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES UP TODAY.

IT HAS REVEALED A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT HOW THE ROOT CAUSES ARE AFFECTING US.

ONE OF THE MAJOR THINGS PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ST. LOUIS COUNTY'S WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN TERMS OF PLACING INDIGENOUS CHILDREN [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THERE WERE CHILDREN I WORKED WITH WHERE I REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR PARENTS WHEN I WAS A SOCIAL WORKER AND THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR PARENTS WENT TO BOARDING SCHOOL.

WE ARE SEEING THE TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECTS.

WE ARE SEEING THE PLAYING OUT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO PUT THEMSELVES AT RISK IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE RISKS.

TRANSPORTATION IS A HUGE BARRIER FOR PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE TO RELY ON STRANGERS.

IF THEY ARE IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE IS NO CAB OR BUS SERVICES, THEY HAVE TO LOOK TO STRANGERS AND THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VULNERABLE.

A LOT OF YOUNG LADIES IN FOSTER CARE ARE VULNERABLE TO SEX TRAFFICKING BECAUSE THEY ARE PLACED IN A SYSTEM WHERE THEY DO NOT GET MUCH SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM.

SOMEBODY ELSE COMES FORWARD AND OFFERS THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE.

THAT PUTS THEM IN A POSITION WHERE THEIR CHOICES STAY IN THE SYSTEM OR GO WITH THIS PERSON WHO SAYS THEY WILL LISTEN TO ME.

RITA: YOU ARE DEFINITELY ON THAT GENERATION TO GENERATION TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT.

WHAT EFFORTS ARE EFFECTIVE WHEN LOOKING AT THESE INDIVIDUALS -- LOOKING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS?

IF THERE ANY TYPE OF STRATEGIES OR TOOLS EFFECTIVE TO FIND IN THEM?

>> I THINK SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HELPED FIND SOME PEOPLE.

WHEREVER YOU GO ON RESERVATIONS YOU WILL SEE CORK BOARDS WITH MISSING PEOPLE AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE WOMEN.

I SAW THAT WHEN I WENT TO BAD RIVER.

RITA: SOCIAL MEDIA SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL ALONG WITH WORD-OF-MOUTH.

JENNIFER, IN YOUR WORK, YOUR ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON ERADICATING VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

>> NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE RACE FOR RESOURCES, IT IS NEVER ENOUGH.

IT IS A CONSTANT UPHILL BATTLE.

EVEN THE FUNDING THE PROGRAMS GET, THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE WORKING IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, FOOD AND DRINK ARE CULTURAL ASPECTS AND THE FUNDING DOES NOT ALLOW THAT.

IT LIMITS ATTENDANCE AND IT LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO DO SOME OF THESE EVENTS.

WITH THE DIRECT SERVICE MONEY, WE COME ACROSS SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE EMAILING US THAT ARE NEEDING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO GET THEM OUT OF THESE VULNERABLE SITUATIONS.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY AVAILABLE.

SO I THINK FUNDING AND THE FINANCIAL PEACE IS A HUGE BARRIER.

ALSO JUST AS FAR AS EDUCATION GOES, I THINK THERE IS A BIG GAP IN THE EDUCATION.

I THINK A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN VICTIMS OVER OTHERS.

WHEN PHOEBE WAS TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA, ONE THINK YOU WILL FIND IS THAT THE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS FOR MISSING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IS SHARED SIGNIFICANTLY LESS.

I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH A FEW YEARS AGO WITH TWO MISSING PEOPLE.

ONE WAS INDIGENOUS AND ONE WAS WHITE.

RITA: IT IS SO IMPORTANT JUST TO KNOW THE DISPARITIES.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY GATHERED TOGETHER IN PRAYER AND SONG FOR THE 9TH ANNUAL MAY DAY EVENT TO HONOR ALL MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS LOVED ONES.

THIS EVENT GOT ITS START IN DULUTH WHEN COMMUNITY MEMBER BABBET SANDMAN DREAMED THAT MISSING RELATIVES WERE CALLING OUT FROM LAKE SUPERIOR.

EVER SINCE THEN, FLOWERS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN LAKE SUPERIOR TO SHOW RESPECT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY AND VIDEOGRAPHER OWEN ZAGRABELNY MET WITH IMPACTED FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BRING US THIS REPORT.

♪ THIS IS THE NINTH ANNUAL EVENT TODAY.

I STARTED IN 2014 WHEN THAT SENTIMENT HAD A VISION AND PUTTING FLOWERS IN THE LAKE FOR THE MISSING AND MURDERED THAT PERHAPS THEY HAD GONE INTO THE LAKE.

THE COMMUNITIES ARE SMALL.

IF ONE OF US DISAPPEAR IT AFFECTS ALL OF US.

SHEILA ST. CLAIR, EACH YEAR I HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO HELP KEEP HER IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

SHE WAS MURDERED BY HER BOYFRIEND IN 2015.

JACKIE AND HER SON WERE ALSO MURDERED.

THAT WAS BY A BOYFRIEND.

♪ >> WE ARE HERE BECAUSE MY BROTHER WAS MURDERED IN ST. PAUL AND THEN HE WAS BROUGHT OUT TO SUPERIOR AND DISMEMBERED AND THEN THEY CAME BACK OVER TO THE MINNESOTA SIDE AND DUMPED HIS REMAINS.

>> IN A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, 41-YEAR-OLD ROBERT THOMAS WAS FROM DULUTH WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY MURDER AND INTERFERENCE WITH THE DEAD BODY.

THE COMPLAINT SAYS HE HELP DISPOSE OF THE BODY.

THE CASE AGAINST WEST WAS BUILT ON INFORMATION FROM AN INFORMANT WHO SAID HE HAD A DEAD BODY IN THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK AND THAT THE VICTIM'S BODY WAS CHOPPED UP INSIDE A CAMPER.

>> WHAT THEY DID TO MY BROTHER WAS JUST, IT WAS UNNATURAL.

AND THEY COMPLETELY TREATED HIM LIKE HE WAS NOT A PERSON.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, WE DID NOT GET MUCH HELP FROM THE POLICE.

WE CANNOT FIND HELP SO WE HIRED OUR OWN INVESTIGATORS.

WE CAME TO DULUTH AND SUPERIOR TO FIND MY BROTHER.

WE MADE SURE HE CAME HOME TO US.

IT WAS PRETTY BAD TO FIND OUT THE POLICE WERE OK WITH ONLY RECOVERING ENOUGH TO IDENTIFY HIM FROM THE WATER.

THEY WOULD HAVE LEFT THE BUCKET IN THE WATER KNOWING THERE WERE MORE.

THEY JUST NEEDED ENOUGH TO IDENTIFY HIM.

LUCKILY, THE DIVE TEAM WAS AT LAKE SUPERIOR AND THEY ACTUALLY INSISTED, THEY WENT BACK AND RECOVERED THE REST OF HIS REMAINS A WEEK OR TWO LATER.

THEY MAY HAVE JUST LEFT HIM THERE.

IF WE LEFT IT UP TO THE POLICE I DO NOT THINK HE WOULD HAVE EVER BEEN FOUND.

IT IS HARD TO COME UP HERE.

IT IS A REMINDER OF EVERYTHING WE HAD TO GO THROUGH.

THE CONSTANT WAY WE WERE TREATED BY THE POLICE, IT HURTS.

IT ALMOST MAKES YOUR STOMACH TURN AS SOON AS YOU COME OVER AND YOU SEE THE WATER.

COMING TO AN EVENT LIKE THIS, I FEEL LIKE IT IS REALLY GOOD BECAUSE IT CAN GIVE OTHER FAMILIES HOPE.

THEY SAY LAKE SUPERIOR IT NEVER GIVES UP ITS DEAD.

WELL, WE FOUND HIM.

WE DID SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE CANNOT.

COMING HERE FOR EVENTS LIKE THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE OTHER FAMILIES HOPE THAT THEY CAN FIND THEIR LOVED ONES TOO.

>> AS OF THE LAST FEW YEARS, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

IF IT IS NOTHING, NO BIG DEAL, BUT YOU COULD BE SAVING A LIFE.

♪ RITA: HERE TO SPEAK WITH US ON CHALLENGES WHEN INVESTIGATING THESE CASES, AND LOOKING FOR LOST FAMILY MEMBERS, ARE RENE ANN GOODRICH, MAK MARS, DULUTH POLICE CHIEF MIKE CEYNOWA.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

JURISDICTION CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW THESE CASES ARE HANDLED.

IN YOUR TIME IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO RECOVER SOMEBODY IF DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS ARE INVOLVED?

>> IT CAN BE DIFFICULT.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE THAT MISSING PERSONS REPORT EVEN IF WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PERSON HAS EVER BEEN IN OUR JURISDICTION.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT INFORMATION.

SO THAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CAN START LOOKING.

REACHING OUT IS PART OF OUR INITIAL INVESTIGATION.

TO GET A HOLD OF THOSE AGENCIES SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE ABOUT THIS MISSING PERSON CASE.

RITA: THANK YOU.

DULUTH HAS A COMMUNITY FUND IN PLACE FOR THOSE MISSING INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS SHEILA ST. CLAIR.

HOW EFFECTIVE OUR REWARD FUNDS?

>> I THINK THAT IT HELPS.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE MOTIVATED BY DIFFERENT THINGS.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT IS THEIR HEART THAT MOTIVATES THEM TO COME FORWARD.

SOMETIMES IT IS JUST THE OUR OUTREACH FROM OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN KEEPING FOR EXAMPLE SHEILA AND THE ATTENTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.

TWO OR THREE EVENTS A YEAR WE TALK ABOUT SHEILA.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR A MONETARY REWARD THAT CAN MAYBE IMPROVE THEIR LIFE AND THAT MIGHT BE JUST ENOUGH TO GET THOSE LAST PIECES OF INFORMATION.

RITA: MAK, YOU RUN THE SITE JUSTICE FOR NATIVE PEOPLE.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON THE WEBSITE?

>> I HAVE HELPED WITH ONE IDENTIFICATION AT THE VERY LEAST BECAUSE I ALSO COVER BODIES THAT HAVE GONE UNIDENTIFIED, BUT THEY KNOW FROM DNA TESTING THAT THEY ARE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

THERE WAS A WOMAN NAMED DAISY WHO WAS MISSING WHO WAS NOT IN ALL OF THE NATIONAL SYSTEMS AND WHO HAD BEEN FORGOTTEN.

I FOUND INFORMATION ABOUT HER ON THE INTERNET AND GOT IT CIRCULATED TO SOME OF MY POLICE OFFICER FRIENDS WHO CAN PUT THEM IN THOSE DATABASES.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET HER IDENTIFIED AND NOW HER BODY IS GOING HOME.

IN TERMS OF REPORTING THE INFORMATION TO ME, I DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM DOING THAT.

I PUT THE AGENCY WHO HAS THAT PERSON MISSING, I PUT THAT INFORMATION THERE.

AS A THIRD PARTY IF I REPORTED TO THEM IT WILL NOT GO ANY PLACE.

THEY NEED TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THAT PERSON WHO HAS THE INFORMATION.

RITA: HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE?

>> IN THE TWIN PORTS AREA, THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED.

WE HAVE ANNUAL EVENTS.

WE CREATE PLATFORMS FOR FAMILIES TO AMPLIFY THEIR CALLS FOR THE MISSING, FOR JUSTICE.

AND WE ARE -- THE EVENTS ARE GROUNDED IN CULTURE TO PROMOTE HEALING.

THIS YEAR WAS THE EIGHTH ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY EVENT AND THE THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS.

SO OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY INVOLVED.

WHEN THEY HAVE A MISSING PERSON, IT IS FAMILIES THAT ARE AT THE FRONT LINE OF THE MOVEMENT.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE REACHING OUT TO AND SHARING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THEY ARE FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT COMING FORWARD AND MAKING THOSE REPORTS.

THEY ARE MAKING THOSE REPORTS EARLIER.

WE ARE LETTING THEM KNOW YOU CAN REPORT THOSE MISSING RIGHT AWAY.

SO OUR COMMUNITY HAS BECOME AWARE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION, A LOT OF OUTREACH INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE MISSING.

FAMILIES ARE UTILIZING THOSE SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS.

THEY ARE POWERFUL TOOLS OF COMMUNICATION AND FAMILIES ARE AT THE FRONT LINE THAT WORK.

THEY ARE ENGAGED.

RITA: FROM MY EXPERIENCE, WHEN SOMETHING TRAGIC HAPPENS AND THAT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, OUR COMMUNITY DANCED TOGETHER AND THEY REALLY SHOW UP.

WHAT TYPE OF RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES HERE IN THE TWIN PORTS WHEN THEY HAVE A LOVED ONE GO MISSING?

>> FAMILIES HAVE BECOME AWARE.

WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER IS MISSING, THEY ARE REACHING OUT SOONER.

THEY ARE REPORTING RIGHT AWAY.

AND WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HELP FIND THOSE WHO ARE MISSING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WITH THE STATE COMMISSION, THAT IS ANOTHER RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO OUR STATE.

WITHIN THE DULUTH COMMUNITY, THERE IS MENDING THE SACRED HOOP, PAVSA, SAFE HAVEN.

THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES.

ALL OF THOSE GROUPS HAVE ADVOCATES TO HELP WITH FAMILIES.

WHETHER IT IS SOMEBODY WHO HAS GONE MISSING OR YOU ARE STARTING TO BECOME WORRIED ABOUT SOMEBODY .

WE HAVE GROUPS TO INCLUDE PAVSA AND OTHERS THAT HAVE RESOURCES FOR OTHERS EXPERIENCING THOSE THINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS BECAUSE WE HAVE STRUCK COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

-- STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

ALONG WITH THE NATIVE LIVES MATTER COALITION.

RITA: WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

I REALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET ON THE INTERNET, ASK YOUR FRIENDS, ASK YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHAT THESE RESOURCES ARE.

KEEP SPREADING THE KNOWLEDGE.

DID I MISS ANY RESOURCES?

>> PRIOR TO THE INTERNET, WE HAD THE TELEGRAPH.

OUR TELEGRAPH THESE DAYS IS FACEBOOK.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS AVAILABLE TO CIRCULATE YOUR INFORMATION.

IF YOU GET INTO ONE OF US, IT WILL GO TO ALL OF US BECAUSE WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

RITA: I HOPE TO HELP SOMEBODY WHO IS WATCHING TODAY.

WE WILL TALK MORE.

THE CREATION OF THE MISSING AND MURDERD INDIGENOUS RELATIVES' OFFICE WAS ONE OF THE MANDATES SUBMITTED TO THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE BY THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMAN'S TASKFORCE.

TODAY, THAT OFFICE IS UP AND RUNNING AS PART OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY AND VIDEOGRAPHER ISAAC QUICK TRAVELED TO ST. PAUL TO BRING US THIS REPORT.

♪ >> HEARING OTHER FAMILIES TELLING THEIR STORIES IS SOMETHING THAT NEVER LEAVES YOU.

YOU STILL HEAR THE VOICES.

YOU STILL SEE THE FACES IN YOUR SLEEP, IN YOUR WORKING HOURS.

IT DOES NOT STOP AND IT WILL NOT STOP UNTIL WE DO NOT SEE THIS HAPPENING ANYMORE.

IT IS FAR TOO IMPORTANT FOR US TO ADDRESS WHY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE BEING MURDERED OR DISAPPEARING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE.

>> 1.1% OF THE POPULATION IS NATIVE PEOPLE.

GET INDIGENOUS WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR 90% OF THE HOMICIDE RATE -- 9% OF THE HOMICIDE RATE IN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE TO BE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> WE THINK WE ARE A LEADER IN THAT THIS IS THE FIRST STATE BASED OFFICE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, BUT I ALSO THINK WE HAVE SOME OF THE LARGEST DISPARITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DO NOT EVER WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WE PASS THE TASK, THE REPORT IS DONE COME OUT NOW WE HAVE THIS TASKFORCE SO WE ARE ALL GOOD.

THIS IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO BE INVESTED IN REGARDLESS OF THE POLITICAL AFFILIATION OF THE PERSON WHO SITS IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE GONE ON FOR FAR TOO LONG AND NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED AND I AM GLAD THE STATE STEPPED UP.

THERE IS A HUGE MISTRUST IN REGARDS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF FAMILIES FELT EXTREMELY DISMISSED, DISREGARDED.

THERE WERE ISSUES OF MISIDENTIFICATION.

AND WE SAW THERE WAS A HUGE LACK OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

OF UNDERSTANDING OUR WAY OF LIFE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FORAGING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, UNDERSTANDING OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> WE ARE A LIAISON BETWEEN FAMILIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE PROCESS WHEN A LOVED ONE GOES MISSING OR IS MURDERED.

WE TRY TO FACILITATE A COMMUNICATION PLAN BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FAMILIES.

UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS AND THEN ALSO BEING LISTENED TO IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I LEARNED THAT IN MY CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> JURISDICTION ISSUES ARE ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING WITH ANYTHING TO DO WITH MMIR.

WE LOOK AT SITUATIONS SUCH AS RICKY, MURDERED IN ONE PLACE, DUMPED IN LAKE SUPERIOR, AND IT BECOMES A NIGHTMARE NOT ONLY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS BUT ALSO FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBOY THAT STEPS UP TO TAKE THE LEAD.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE IN PLACE WAYS TO PROSECUTE ONE SOMETHING HAPPENED IN ONE PLACE AND THE PERSON WAS MOVED TO ANOTHER.

THAT TO ME IS THE MOST DAUNTING THING OF ALL.

AND WE NEED MORE COHESIVENESS.

WE NEED MORE CENTRAL COORDINATION, WHICH I HOPE WILL COME THROUGH THE MMIR OFFICE.

♪ >> IT TOOK 500 YEARS FOR US TO GET HERE.

NOW HOW DO WE FIX OUR 500 YEARS?

WE NEED ACCESS TO THE DATA.

BEFORE WE CAN START ANALYZING AND THAT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT CHALLENGING.

THE DATA IS IN SILOS AND IT IS IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP WITH MMIR IN THE COUNTRY IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE.

TO SHARE WHAT WE ARE LEARNING WITH EVERYBODY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON MMIR.

WE NEED TO DO MORE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

JUST SHARING THE INFORMATION THAT WE COME ACROSS IS IMPORTANT.

>> LITERALLY EVERY NATIVE WOMAN I KNOW HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE.

I AM A SURVIVOR AND CHILD WITNESS.

WHILE WE ALL HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE IN SOME WAY, I THINK THE WILLINGNESS OF THESE SURVIVORS WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE, THE STRENGTH THEY EXHIBIT IS STUNNING TO ME, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND CAN STILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK.

AND GET UP EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

IT IS POWERFUL.

I ALSO THINK A LOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE ANYONE TO CLAIM THEM, WHO HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY LOST.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A REAL COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO HONOR THEM.

>> ANY TIME YOU ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU SEE THOSE ALERTS, BY SHARING THEM YOU ARE HELPING.

BY KEEPING YOUR EYES OPEN, YOU ARE HELPING.

BY CHECKING IN YOUR GARAGE, YOUR SHED, UNDER YOUR DECK, YOU ARE HELPING.

EVERYBODY CAN PARTICIPATE IN A POSITIVE MANNER TO HELP LOCATE SOMEONE.

RITA: WITH THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES' OFFICE UP AND RUNNING IN ST. PAUL, IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO MAKE ITS IMPACT ACROSS MINNESOTA.

WE ARE REJOINED NOW BY RENE ANN GOODRICH, CHIEF MIKE CEYNOWA, MAK MARS AND JENNIFER HOMMEREDING.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT ALTHOUGH MINNESOTA IS AHEAD WITH THE TASKFORCE AND OFFICE, IT ALSO HAS THE GREATEST DISPARITIES.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS AND ALSO WHY?

>> COULD YOU RESTATE THE QUESTION?

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MENTIONED THAT ALTHOUGH MINNESOTA IS AHEAD OF EFFORTS WITH THE TASKFORCE BEING ESTABLISHED, MINNESOTA ALSO HAS SOME OF THE GREATEST DISPARITIES.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> I DO IN TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SYSTEMS, LIKE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE OVERREPRESENTED WITH SYSTEMS WHETHER IT BE LAW-ENFORCEMENT OR SOCIAL SERVICES.

SOCIAL SERVICES IS ONE OF THE STARKEST DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE BECAUSE A QUARTER OF THE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO FOSTER CARE ARE INDIGENOUS KIDS.

THAT IS AT A RATE OF 18 TIMES HIGHER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

WHILE WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUES, SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE SYSTEMIC AND WE HAVE TO PULL IN PEOPLE FROM OTHER AREAS TO WORK TOGETHER.

RITA: DO YOU AGREE THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND DISPARITIES ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN DULUTH?

DO YOU THINK THAT MINNESOTA HAS SOME OF THE GREATEST DISPARITIES IN REGARDS TO MISSING, MURDERED AND INDIGENOUS RELATIVES?

>> I THINK MINNESOTA HAS HUGE DISPARITIES WITH PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WE ARE SEEING THAT WITH THE NEW FORMATION OF THE TASKFORCE FOR MISSING AND MURDERED AFRICAN-AMERICAN BLACK WOMEN.

THAT HAS JUST BEEN CREATED HERE THIS MONTH.

RESEARCH TELLS US THAT 8-9% OF THE MISSING AND MURDERED IN MINNESOTA ARE INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

WE SEE THE HUGE DISPARITY WITHIN OUR SOCIAL SYSTEMS.

WE ALSO SEE THESE HUGE DISPARITIES IN THE DATA.

WE ARE FINALLY GETTING SOME DATA.

I ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO PLEASE READ THE REPORT, GET FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

YOU ARE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THAT RIGHT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ON THE WEBSITE WITH THE STATE.

A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THAT REPORT.

WE ARE BLESSED BY HAVING THAT DATA AND SOME CURRENT RESEARCH THAT BACKS UP THESE CLAIMS ABOUT THIS HUGE DISPARITY OF VIOLENCE WITH OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, BUT ALSO WITH OUR WOMEN OF COLOR.

RITA: SINCE THE OPENING OF THE MMIR OFFICE, HAVE YOU WORKED WITH THE OFFICE?

>> WE MET AT THE CAPITAL WITH ALISHA.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES AS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER.

I AM NOT CONNECTED TO ANYWHERE OTHER THAN NATIVE LIVES MATTER.

>> I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME TESTIMONY ON MARCH 3 AT THE HOUSE.

WE WERE INVITED TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF A REWARD FUND PROGRAM THAT IS LOCALLY HERE IN DULUTH TO SUPPORT ITS GROWTH TO THE STATE LEVEL.

AND THAT WAS TESTIMONY THAT YOU PROVIDED WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE DIRECTOR, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THAT.

AND THANK YOU FROM THE CITY OF DULUTH.

RITA: JENNIFER, AS WE SEE FROM THE MMIR MOVEMENT, THE CHARGE HAS BEEN LED BY MOSTLY WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN DUMBS OF VIOLENCE AS WELL.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE PEOPLE THAT COMPEL THEM TO CONTINUE IN THIS WORK WHEN THEY MAY HAVE TRAUMA OF THEIR OWN?

>> FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IT IS PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS.

IT IS A WAY TO TAKE THE POWER BACK.

I DO WANT TO SEE MORE MEN INVOLVED.

IT IS NICE TO SEE MEN UP HERE.

THERE NEEDS TO BE THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAD IN FAMILIES.

FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND WITH THE WOMEN I WORK WITH, IT IS DEFINITELY A HUGE PIECE OF THE HEALING AND TAKING THE POWER BACK.

RITA: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BRING ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS NO MATTER WHO IT IS TO CHARGE THIS ISSUE AND BRING AWARENESS.

MAK, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT LAST QUESTION ABOUT WHY FOLKS THAT HAVE TRAUMA DO THIS WORK?

>> I THINK JENNIFER STATED IT PERFECTLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS IS HOW THEY RECLAIM A PIECE OF THEMSELVES THAT WAS LOST OR THEIR FAMILY.

IT IS A VERY INDIGENOUS THING TO DO, TO REACH OUT THROUGH YOUR OWN PAIN AND LEFT OTHER PEOPLE UP.

GATHER AND AS A COMMUNITY WHEN THERE IS A TRAGEDY WE GATHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

RITA: THIS IS A RECURRENT THEME THAT WE CONNECT THROUGH COMMUNITY.

WE SHOW UP THROUGH COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ONE WAY OUR INDIGENOUS DO CONSISTENTLY.

ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, MAY IS MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES' AWARENESS MONTH.

ALL MONTH LONG, COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN HOLDING EVENTS HERE IN DULUTH TO BRING AWARENESS TO THIS NATIONAL ISSUE.

MEN AS PEACEMAKERS HELD AN EVENT THAT FOCUSED ON AN ACTIVITY OF HEALING BY LISTENING TO SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND USING BUTTERFLIES TO GIVE THE NAMES OF THOSE MURDERED AND MISSING A NEW LIFE IN A VISUAL WINDOW DISPLAY.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY AND VIDEOGRAPHER LANCE HAAVISTO BRING US THIS STORY.

♪ >> SPACES LIKE THIS REALLY HELPED ME TO FEEL SAFE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WHEN ASKING A SURVIVOR TO SPEAK ON ISSUES LIKE THIS.

THAT FEELING OF SAFETY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE TODAY.

I AM A SURVIVOR OF TRAFFICKING.

I WAS GROOMED INTO TRAFFICKING THROUGH FACEBOOK.

I MET A MAN ON FACEBOOK WHO MADE ME BELIEVE WE WERE IN A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP.

I ENDED UP BEING TRAFFICED TO LAS VEGAS.

I QUICKLY REALIZED WHAT THE SITUATION WAS AND HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS FOR ME.

I SUFFERED A LOT OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.

MY FAMILY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE WE WE WERE TOLD TO PUT ON A FAKE FACADE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA.

I WOULD POST PICTURES LOOKING LIKE I AM HAVING A GOOD TIME, BUT AS SOON AS THE POST WENT UP MY PHONE GOT TAKEN AWAY.

I GOT LOCKED INTO OUR ROOM FOR FIVE DAYS, 100 15 DEGREES OUTSIDE, NO AIR CONDITIONING.

I WAS BEAT UP FOR FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT.

AFTER THAT, I HAD MY HEAD SMASHED INTO A WALL SO MANY TIMES THAT MY MOUTH COULD NOT OPEN.

I LOOK BACK AND I REALIZE THAT IS TRULY WHEN MY VOICE WAS SILENCED.

I LITERALLY COULD NOT SPEAK.

COMING OUT OF THAT SITUATION AND COMING HOME WITH THE BIGGEST, THE HARDEST PART OF IT.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE COLLECTIVELY WORKING ON AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND ANALYZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE SAFE HEALING SPACES FOR SURVIVORS AND SAFE HEALING SPACES FOR FAMILIES WHO STILL HAVE LOVED ONES MISSING OR WHO HAVE HAD LOVED ONES MURDERED.

>> CURING VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS PERSPECTIVES ON WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IS SO CRUCIAL FOR HEALING AND AWARENESS.

WHEN LOOKING AT VIOLENCE THROUGH GENDER EQUALITY IN LOOKING AT HOW WE ARE CONNECTED, WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE US, NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT TALK LIKE US.

BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE MEMBER IN THE COMMUNITY AS PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

QUITE UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF TIMES THESE VOICES ARE SILENCED.

>> WITH THE BUTTERFLIES FOR THIS EVENT, I THINK THAT IT IS SO PROFOUND AND SO BEAUTIFUL IN THE WAY THAT IT IS GOING TO BE DISPLAYED.

I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF DULUTH LOOK AT IT AND DO MORE THAN LOOK AT IT.

TAKE IT IN AND LOOK AT WHAT YOU ARE FEELING ON THE INSIDE WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT.

THOSE FEELINGS OF SADNESS ARE MULTIPLIED BY THE MILLIONS TO THE FAMILIES.

IT IS THE SADNESS THAT REALLY PLATES THIS COMMUNITY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE FROM SADNESS TO WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROMOTE HEALING.

>> THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT RAN AWAY.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOVED.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE MISSED.

IN MANY CASES THEY ARE FEELING INVISIBLE.

IF ONE PERSON WHO WAS MISSING SAW THIS AND KNEW THEY WERE LOVED AND KNEW NO MATTER WHERE THEY WERE THEY WERE NOT ALONE.

>> I STILL STRUGGLE VERY MUCH WITH PTSD.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE YOU CAN REACH OUT TO.

I HAVE SAFE PEOPLE IF I AM HAVING A HARD DAY TO CALL.

I DO NOT THINK ANYBODY SHOULD SUFFER ALONE.

RITA: WE ARE REJOINED BY OUR PREVIOUS PANELISTS TO SPEAK MORE ON THE FUTURE OF THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES' EPIDEMIC HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING THAT I LEARNED JUST NOW IS THAT FOLKS ON THIS STAGE RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED THROUGH MMIR.

BUT WE ARE ALSO CONNECTED THROUGH A PROGRAM.

I WAS HOPING WE WOULD HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

PHOEBE, DO YOU WANT TO START?

>> YES, WE ARE ALL CONNECTED.

PHOEBE IS WITH THE CITY OF DULUTH.

MENDING THE SACRED HOOP, NATIVE LIVES MATTER COALITION CAME TOGETHER TO CREATE A FIRST OF ITS KIND GRASSROOTS COLLABORATIVE WITH THE CITY OF DULUTH.

IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE.

THEY ARE MISSING MORE THAN OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS IN MINNESOTA.

OTHER INDIGENOUS WOMEN MAKEUP JUST 1% OF THE STATES POPULATION.

8% OF ALL MURDERED WOMEN AND GIRLS IN MINNESOTA WERE INDIGENOUS.

BETWEEN 2012 AND 2020.

THAT IS THE MINNESOTA MMIR TASKFORCE REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> COMING TOGETHER AS A COLLABORATIVE, IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND WHERE THERE IS FAMILIES AT THE FOUNDATION OF THE MMIR MOVEMENT HERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE TWIN PORTS AREA, THEY ARE VERY ACTIVE.

WORKING WITH LOCAL GRASSROOTS BOOTS ON THE GROUND, COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY TO CREATE THIS FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

A REWARD FUND PROGRAM WAS INSPIRED BY OUR OPEN ACTIVE CASE OF MISSING SHEILA SINCLAIR IN 2022.

WITH THE INTENT THAT IT WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPAND AND TO INCLUDE MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS AND WE ARE SO HONORED THAT THE STATE IS HELPING TO SUPPORT.

WE HAVE HAD RECENT GROWTH OVER THE REWARD FUND PROGRAM TO CREATE THE FIRST STATE REWARD FUND PROGRAM IN MINNESOTA.

THE NAME OF THE PROGRAM IS SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

IT WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

WE WILL SEE MORE JURISDICTIONS BEING ADDED TO THAT.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE OPEN CASE WITH SHEILA SINCLAIR.

-- SHEILA ST. CLAIR.

THAT IS THE ONLY OPEN CASE WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF DULUTH.

WE WANT TO INCLUDE MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS, TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS TO BE ABLE TO INCLUDE ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH THAT BECOMING A STATE REWARD FUND PROGRAM THAT WILL BE ADMINISTERED WITH THE MMIR OFFICE, WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER REWARDS FOR MISSING PEOPLE ACROSS JURISDICTIONS.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE MISSING SHEILA ST. CLAIR IN DULUTH.

ONCE IT BECOMES STATEWIDE, WE ARE ABLE TO GO ACROSS JURISDICTIONS SO THAT WE CAN OFFER REWARDS FOR MULTIPLE MISSING CASES THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF HER JURISDICTION.

THE ONE THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON IS FROM THE DULUTH AREA.

WE HAVE SOME EXCITING GROWTH OF THE LOCAL HOMEGROWN REWARD FUND THAT WAS CREATED RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

RITA: THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

HOW CAN VIEWERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?

IS THERE A WEBSITE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE REWARD FUND LINKS THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO DONATE TO.

PLEASE GO TO MENDING THE SACRED HOOP WEBSITE PAGE.

THERE IS A DONATION LINK THERE.

THE FUND IS BEING HELD WITH OUR NONPROFIT MENDING THE SACRED HOOP.

SO YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION THERE.

AND PLEASE DONATE IF YOU ARE ABLE TO.

AND SHARE IT INTO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS.

RITA: THAT IS GREAT.

EVERYBODY AT HOME, GO CHECK OUT THAT PROGRAM AND SHARE IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHEN WE START HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, ONE THING THAT THE VIEWERS CAN TAKE IS BRINGING THIS TO YOUR LEADERS, YOUR STATE LEADERS, YOUR LOCAL LEADERS, ALL THE WAY UP.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE UNTIL THEY HEAR US.

THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF OUR ANCESTORS HAVE DONE BEFORE US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE HEARING ABOUT THE REWARD FUND.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW IT EVOLVES.

THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS FOR SHARING THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE ON OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THIS PROGRAM, YOU CAN WATCH IT ON OUR WEBSITE AT PBSNORTH.ORG.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS IN NEED OF HELP REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

WE'LL END THE PROGRAM WITH ONE MORE SONG FROM THE OSHKII GIIZHIK SINGERS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT PBS NORTH, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

GOODNIGHT!

♪