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/

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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

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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

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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/

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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

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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/

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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

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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

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