- (speaking foreign language) Welcome to the 21st season of "Native Report".

I'm Rita Karppinen.

- [Announcer] Production for "Native Report" is made possible by grants from the Blandin Foundation.

The generous support from viewers like Jack and Sharon Kemp and viewers like you.

(relaxing Native music) (relaxing Native music continues) - Across Alaska, the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples continue to impact families, villages, and entire regions.

But community leaders are stepping forward to bring change.

One of them is Kendra Kloster, a tribal citizen of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and the co-founder of the MMIP Alaska Working Group.

What began as a conversation over coffee has grown into a statewide movement addressing data gaps, public safety, trauma healing, and policy reform.

Today, Kendra shares how that heart work began and how she continues fighting for a future where Alaska Native people can feel safe in their homes and communities.

(calming soft Native music) - Many of our rural villages have no public safety at all.

So, we are meeting with the commissioners, you know, at Department of Public Safety.

We're meeting with any local police.

We meet with our legislators to say, "What can we do to fix this problem?"

"How can our people feel safe?"

"How can we get a 9-1-1 system that works?"

'Cause we don't have really a working 9-1-1 system.

In addition, if they call 9-1-1, who's coming?

Because our communities are accessible mostly by boat or by plane.

And when someone's been murdered, I've heard stories from communities that it took people two to three days to get there, or hours.

Any of that is unacceptable.

So, how can we work to address that?

So, my name is Kendra Kloster.

My Tlingit name is (indistinct).

I'm originally from Wrangell and Juneau down in Southeast Alaska, though I live, work, and play currently on Dena'ina lands in Anchorage.

I'm with the MMIWG2S Alaska working group.

I am both the co-founder and the co-director of that working group.

It came together through what I call our heart work, and I met Dr.

Charlene Apok back in 2018.

We met over coffee and really discovered that we were doing a lot of this work around how we increase public safety in Alaska and how we're really addressing the missing murdered Indigenous people crisis in Alaska.

And as we got to talking, we really just had a lot of the similar frustrations, and out formed this working group.

And looking at our state and understanding how large we are.

We have 229 federally-recognized tribes in the state.

That's more than half; we have 574 tribes in our entire country, and just think of how many we have here in Alaska.

And we have very diverse.

I'm from Southeast Alaska, I'm from a rainforest.

And if you go up north, you're gonna see a lot less trees and more tundra.

And it's just, it's such a wide variety of our regions, of our cultures, and of our people.

So, it's just, you can't address things in the same way across the state, or the way you might do it in the lower 48.

You can't drive somewhere.

Someone can't just pick up the phone and have a police officer drive to you.

It just doesn't work that way.

So, we need to get creative with our solutions.

But when we were going to the legislature in 2018, you know, we're like, "We know this is an issue."

They're like, "Well, show us the data."

And what we realized is we didn't have it.

And so, when we went to go put together a rally to really just show awareness and support around missing murdered Indigenous people, we wanted to read the names of people that have gone missing or been murdered.

And we found out there was no list.

No one was keeping that list.

So, we literally just started, everyone started sharing who they knew, and that list was growing and growing and growing.

And then, Dr.

Charlene Apok started Data for Indigenous Justice, where that organization now is a home to that database, and names continue to be added.

And that's really important, 'cause we need to understand the depth of the problem.

The data, the information is our families, it's our relatives, and so we are very thoughtful in how we do this work, and we talk about that too.

When we're talking with Department of Public Safety, we're like, "You need to track this data.

This is how we need to track it, and we also need to be really thoughtful how we're doing that."

'Cause these aren't numbers.

These are our family members.

So, we passed one of the first MMIP bills in the state of Alaska just a couple years ago.

And that was solidifying MMIP investigators and state statute.

It was requiring mandatory cultural training.

And that was a huge component brought to us by our communities to know that, when public safety is going out, they understand the culture and the people and how we communicate better with our police.

And then, it also looked at things, creating a review commission.

And that was important because we wanted to look at the way cases were being investigated, and what are things that we can improve?

So, there's many important pieces within that legislation, and there's more.

So, that was a huge effort that we've been pushing since 2018, since we started.

And so, we finally got that across the finish line, but we're not done.

We're following up on implementation.

We're following up on other policy needs.

Our value and mission is really what we wanna see in our state, is really bringing down those numbers and not having this MMIP crisis that we have in our state and our nation.

I come at this work as a mother, as an auntie, as a daughter, and all of these realms, I just really, I think of, like, what are we handing to our children?

What is our next future going to be?

I do not want them to be fearful that they are going to be murdered or they're gonna go missing.

I do not want them to feel unsafe.

Everyone deserves this right to feel safe in their home and in their community.

And this really drives our work and our heart and what we're doing and how we're doing this for our children.

You can't address MMIP without looking at our community, healing from the trauma that's been done to our communities and our families.

And so, we really try to center that in our work.

And meaning, we hold multiple events.

Like, we can hold the Heartbeat of the Drums when we bring everybody together, and that just builds that community; it builds that support.

'Cause these are really tough issues to work on for all of us.

And so, how do we build that support with our communities so we can heal along the way?

We now have people on the ground specifically focused on MMIP cases.

And to see that happening, just it makes me feel grateful in the work that we've been doing to see those things move forward.

I know we have a lot more work to do, but being able to see the impacts that we've had in our community, I think just empowers us more to be able to continue doing that.

(no audio) - From compiling data systems to passing landmark legislation and strengthening tribal partnerships, the MMIP Alaska Working Group continues to push for meaningful change.

As Kendra reminds us, true safety requires more than policy.

It requires healing, community connection, and honoring the voices of families who have carried this work for generations.

Their progress shows what's possible when advocacy, culture, and collective strength move together.

(calming Native music) - A cardiac ablation procedure is used to treat arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms.

Cardiac ablation is used when abnormal heart rhythms don't respond to medication.

Cardiac ablation is used to treat fast arrhythmias, but it's not the first choice of treatment.

Usually, medications are tried first.

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are relatively common problems.

Other rhythms can go very fast.

Once a heart rate starts going too fast, blood can't get into the heart fast enough, and cardiac output decreases.

This can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and a host of other symptoms.

The human body is amazing.

The timing system for your heart is complicated and precise.

Sometimes, that timing system fails or gets damaged.

A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Some rhythms can go as fast as 300 beats per minute.

Long-lasting or repeated bouts of that can cause damage to your heart and can lead to more dangerous rhythms.

Contributing factors are many and include diseases such as underlying heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and age.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excess alcohol, caffeine, and even stress can trigger them.

Before a cardiac ablation procedure, you'll need to stop taking blood thinning medications like aspirin or warfarin, and we'll do that based on the cardiologist's advice.

You need to stop eating or drinking for several hours, usually after midnight, before your procedure.

Someone will have to take you home from the hospital after the procedure.

Wear comfortable clothing and leave jewelry and valuables at home.

You'll get an IV in your arm so you can receive sedation or anesthesia, and you'll be relaxed or completely out for the procedure.

A thin catheter will be inserted into a blood vessel, and x-rays or other imaging will be used to guide the catheter into your heart.

They'll map out the problem-area so they know which tissue to treat, and use the catheter to treat the abnormal heart tissue and block irregular rhythms.

Once the ablation is done, the catheter will be removed from your blood vessel.

The cardiac ablation procedure usually takes two to four hours to complete, but sometimes can take longer.

The exact length of time varies from person to person.

You'll be monitored in the recovery room for several hours.

You'll need to stay in the hospital for six to eight hours after the procedure.

Depending on your condition, you might go home that day, or you might have to spend the night in the hospital.

You may be prescribed aspirin or other blood thinning medication to help prevent blood clots for several months, or even longer after the procedure.

The success rate depends on the abnormal rhythm.

Cardiac ablation risks are low, but they do exist.

Your cardiologist will discuss those with you before the procedure.

Depending on the abnormal heart rhythm you have, a cardiac ablation procedure may not work.

Even when it does work, it can take several weeks before your symptoms improve.

Sometimes people need another ablation procedure in the future.

You can usually return to work in about a week after your ablation procedure.

This may be longer if you do heavy lifting or physical labor.

Most people do well with cardiac ablation.

And overall, this is a minimally invasive procedure.

Talk to your provider and your cardiologist if you have questions and concerns.

Remember to call an elder.

They've been waiting for your call.

I'm Dr.

Arne Vainio and this is Health Matters.

(calming Native music) - The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives has impacted Native communities for generations.

Minnesota's MMIR office, led by director Guadalupe Lopez, is working to support families, strengthen partnerships, and develop new tools, including a statewide reward tip fund that began a grassroots efforts in Duluth to bring justice and healing.

Guadalupe shares why this work matters and how community remains at the heart of every effort.

(bright relaxing music) - Missing and murdered is preventable, and I a hundred percent believe that, and I always will, because it's gonna take everybody, and it can create a community where it no longer exists if we believe in it.

(speaking foreign language) My name is Guadalupe Lopez.

I am the office director of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office for the state of Minnesota within the Office of Justice of Programs.

(bright relaxing music continues) Our office was created from a task force that was created in 2019, and within that report, the legislature wrote our office into law.

And we have been in existence since 2021, but fully staffed since 2023.

And I have recently joined the team as the newest member as of July 30th, 2025.

What we do is we support families with cases for murdered and missing relatives.

We also do systems advocacy, and we raise public awareness around the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives.

- Well, I was at home one night, and my son got a call from my sister Gladys.

He said, "Something's going on at Peter's house."

He goes, "I'm gonna run up there."

I was like, "All right, let me know what's going on when you get back."

Probably about maybe an hour or two hours went by.

He came home, he said, "Peter's missing."

I was like, "What?"

And then, they said they were gonna start a search, and had to go to work the next day.

So, I went to work, and then I told my boss, "I'm gonna go up and help."

- Peter Martin is a Fond du Lac Band member of Lake Superior Chippewa.

He grew up on the reservation.

He was mainly a homebody, and he loved hanging out with his family and friends and mostly playing basketball.

He went missing on March 8th, 2024.

- There's 12 of us, five brothers and seven sisters.

He was the youngest.

He lived here on Mahnomen, the Brookston district.

- I think that one of the reasons why this office is so important, it's a compliment of what already the community has been doing around missing and murdered in all across the state.

We know that are, you know, not the only ones doing this work.

There are boots on the grounds that are constantly raising awareness and supporting families, and we just want to make sure that we are holding that with for the state of Minnesota, as well, with this office.

Our reward fund that we just released and launched in July of 2025, just this summer, we recognized that we wanted a program that community members could actually share and help solve cases, but also there was going to be more justice and accountability for the families, you know, that needed that around our missing and murdered relatives.

It has been slow starting, but, you know, we are not an investigative program or office.

So, we really adhere to what relationships with law enforcement, and working with and being the liaison to families about, you know, tips and what comes in.

So, it is, you know, we're just newly starting it, but it's going, and I'm excited to see how it grows from here.

- The MMIR came to us as soon as they heard, 'cause Tawny Savage is pretty close with the family, so she helped us from the get go, and she put us in contact with an advocate.

And so, they've kept in contact with us.

- I think it's really important.

I know I didn't fully interact with them, but I'm more than grateful that they're out there helping us and many more families that need help.

And I know there's a lot of resources, and they have huge support with the families, and we're more than happy to talk to them and reach out to them again.

- Well, we are five people for the whole state, and 11 tribes.

So, we are, you know, tiny but mighty is what I say.

But we have dedicated staff, and we also have advisory committees that actually help lead us in and advise the work that is done around the state.

And we have 20 advisory council members, and they're from different, you know, going all the way from systems-based people, to impacted families, to advocacy programs and social services.

So, having that expertise has helped this office kind of navigate the blueprint that we are creating currently.

There is no outline for this kind of specific work.

We are kind of creating it as community members, as system partners, and what do we need to do to create safety and justice for missing and murdered Indigenous people.

So, we have partnered with DVS, Department of Vehicle Services, to actually create a license plate, and it was announced of July of 2025, this year.

And I know that there has been, you know, multiple people working on that.

And that money, $25 of a renewal, once you have that plate, actually goes into the reward fund.

And currently right now, we have at least raised $100,000 that has been deposited into the reward fund that helps the families with public awareness and searching, currently right now, which is very exciting.

- That is a big help.

I am glad there's agencies out there who are willing to help, and I do hope it helps somebody come forward, even if it's a tip that will lead to finding my brother.

As far as the reward goes, the BIA put up $5,000 in the beginning, and it raised up to MMIR reward put up 10,000.

So, the reward is up to 15,000.

I hope that we'll get at least somebody to say something or talk or give up more information, even if it's anonymous or a phone call or something, say something.

- So, the (indistinct) actually started as a grassroots effort, in Duluth.

And so, there was organizers there that had wanted to raise awareness and also, like, recognizing there's a financial cost to looking for our loved ones.

And, you know, whether it is poster distribution, flyer distribution, you know, lodging, depending if you have volunteers, food, all of these things that people may not necessarily think of what you would need.

And so, when the reward fund was named is that I know that activists and legislators have worked together to make sure that that name was put in place, and it means that they will be remembered forever, which is beautiful.

- It's a mix of emotions and a rollercoaster of emotions with the community.

It was more support and just helpfulness and, like, the fact that we get together.

And at first, it was really overwhelming.

It, like my mom said, it was more than 60 people helping us.

And I know they have a life and family, but, for me, it still means a lot that they actually thought about us and took their time to come help us and show us their support, and letting us know that we're not alone.

But yeah.

- The tip line is one of a kind; so is this office.

And you get people together that have the same kind of purpose of wanting to have justice and resolution for some of the heinous crimes that our community is experiencing, then you get to dream together.

And so, that group that decide that thought that the tip line should be something that implemented, first of its kind, I applaud them, and I'm so glad that I get to be working with the community and this office to see how this goes and to be like our plant relatives; very strong, but bendable, and to take on, you know, what's next after that, and see what's successful and making sure that we're moving as such.

I wanna say that the tip program, like, really merges with the whole aspect of the office in the way that we are trying to find other ways and initiatives to receive understanding information, to solve cases, to help family members, to create justice for families that they're looking for their loved ones, or conclusions or, you know, convictions for, you know, unsolved murder cases.

And it is part of the responsibility that I think we have as the state, but also as community members trying to make it safe for Minnesota, - I'm hoping that it'll make people more comfortable reaching out to them and not having any hesitation of finding a resource or knowing right off the bat that there's a resource out there for them and they're not alone.

No one's ever alone, even if it feels like we're alone.

We're always gonna have someone there to help guide us through.

- MMIR, they have a lot of resources that help, and there has been a couple of people on the FDLPD who have been really in contact with us and ask how we're doing from every now and then, and keep in touch with us.

I just don't want everybody to keep an eye on each other.

And if you don't hear from somebody, give them a call.

Even if you do hear from them, it's nice to call somebody once in a while or visit them, just watch out for each other.

- There's, like, a spiritual component to this work that we need to recognize for all the reasons we don't always have the same beliefs, but I think it is really important to always bring who you are to this.

And I know, as an Indigenous people, we might not always have the same beliefs, but it is important to recognize where we came from and the origin.

And this helps the history or the herstory of traction of how this came to be and what work will become from this.

And, you know, when I think that when people are actually putting down tobacco, and they're being in a good prayerful space to actually ask, you know, for help and support from, you know, helpers and, you know, whatever creation or however they pray, you can't ignore that.

That's the whole point of, you know, we can't do this alone, and without other humans, without all of those other aspects.

(no audio) - Through collaboration, advocacy, and community leadership, Minnesota's MMIR office is helping build a future where Indigenous relatives are protected, supported, and never forgotten.

As Guadalupe reminds us, ending this crisis requires all of us; families, systems, and communities moving together with purpose.

And with each new effort from the advisory councils to the reward fund, the path towards justice grows stronger.

(relaxing soft Native music) - You know, I'd like to say something to our young people, all across Native land, that every single one of us were created with a purpose.

Not one of us was born by mistake; not one of us.

You may have been adopted out, you may have been gone through some rough things, but just remember that creator made you, and he put the blood that is running in your veins in you, and that's who you are.

And be proud of who you are, and don't allow any of the tough things you go through to take you down.

Use them as stepping stones of making you stronger.

(relaxing soft Native music) - If you missed a show or wanna catch up online, find us at nativereport.org, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for behind-the-scene updates.

Drop a comment on social media if you enjoyed the show.

Thank you for spending your time with your friends and neighbors from across Indian country.

I'm Rita Karppinen, and we'll see you next time on Native Report.

(mysterious Native music) (mysterious Native music continues) (mysterious Native music continues) (mysterious Native music continues)