Emma White

HELENA (UM Legislative News Service) – Supporters of a bill that would create a special revenue account to fund the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Task Force say it is necessary to keep the program going. 

The task force was created in 2019 and then 2023 Legislature extended its authorization for ten years. According to the Montana Department of Justice, the group’s mission is to identify barriers to jurisdiction on tribal land and increase reporting and investigation into cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Now, some lawmakers are advocating for creating a way for the task force to raise the money it needs. 

Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, is sponsoring House Bill 83, which would allow the task force to create an account so it can raise funds. 

“The task force currently does not have a mechanism to raise funds, purchase equipment, or maintain operational costs,” Running Wolf said at the bill’s first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee Monday. The task force would like to create an account, have the ability to accept and generate funds to help support the task force’s mission and objectives.” 

Edward Barta, representing the Northern Plains Resource Council, testified in support of HB 83. Barta said he hears heartbreaking stories from Indigenous members of his community who have had family members disappear.

“I doubt there are many Indigenous people who live in Billings who have not been affected in some way by this crisis,” Barta said.

Patrick Yawakie, representing the Blackfeet tribe, spoke in support of the bill, saying there are currently 48 missing indigenous people in Montana. According to the Montana Department of Justice, 21 of these people have been missing for over a year, and 27 have been missing for less than a year.

Yawakie said a special revenue account would allow the task force to apply for grants, accept gifts and generally bring in revenue for their operations. 

“With advancements in forensic science and search and rescue capabilities, having these resources can mean the probability these individuals are found,” Yawakie said.