Department of Justice Launches PSA To Help Bring Missing Indigenous People Home
The Montana Department of Justice launched a new statewide public service announcement to raise awareness of missing Indigenous persons and help bring them home.
The 30-second spot shines a light on the impact those disappearing from Montana’s Indigenous communities has on friends and families and highlights four Indigenous persons still missing in Montana: Ashley Mariah Loring Heavyrunner, James Douglas Limberhand, Shacaiah Blue Harding and Leo Wagner.
“Behind every missing person is a family at home waiting for answers. This tragedy has had a devastating impact on our tribal communities, and the Montana Department of Justice is committed to being part of the solution,” Attorney General Knudsen said. “I encourage every Montanan to visit our missing persons database to familiarize yourself with the faces of those who are missing. One tip to law enforcement could help bring someone’s loved one home.”
In Montana, Indigenous persons go missing at a disproportionately higher rate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Indian and Alaskan Natives make up 6.4 percent of the Montana population. However, last year Indigenous persons made up 31 percent of missing persons in the state. In 2025, 618 Indigenous persons were reported missing in Montana. According to the Montana Missing Persons Database, as of July 27, 35 Indigenous persons are currently missing in Montana, eight have been missing less than a year and 27 have been missing for more than a year.
To combat the issue, the Montana Department of Justice launched an improved missing persons database to provide information to the public on missing persons, including Indigenous persons, reported by local law enforcement.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Legislature passed and governor signed into law House Bill 545, sponsored by Tyson Running Wolf and supported by Knudsen, providing the Montana Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council, which is administered by the Montana Department of Justice, with a special revenue account to allow the group to receive donations from any legal source.
