Bringing Justice to the Missing: The Indigenous Forensics Team Solving Cold Cases

In the quiet expanses of Northwest Montana, where the Blackfeet Indian Reservation stretches across miles of rugged land, a new force for justice has emerged. Led by a group of Native American scientists, the Okami Forensics team is tackling a heartbreaking issue that has long been overlooked: the tragic and persistent cases of missing Indigenous women. This groundbreaking team, founded by Halo Miso, is using state-of-the-art forensic technology to solve cold cases, bringing much-needed attention to a problem that has devastated Indigenous communities for decades.

The seed for Okami Forensics was planted in 2017 when Miso’s own relative went missing, a case that remains unsolved to this day. It was an experience that deeply affected her and set her on a path to change the fate of countless others in similar situations. "I watched too many cases fall through the cracks of the justice system, and I knew I had to do something," Miso said. Fueled by a personal sense of duty and an unwavering determination to make a difference, she founded the nation’s first Indigenous forensic team, dedicated to finding the answers that have long evaded affected families.

From the outset, the team’s mission was clear: they would use every available resource to give families closure and bring justice to the missing. Based at the University of Montana, the team uses cutting-edge forensic technology to analyze DNA samples, comb through evidence, and gather clues that could finally solve long-forgotten mysteries. "If we weren’t doing this, no one else would," Miso remarked. "We have so many unsolved cases, and we just couldn't stand by any longer."

One such case is the heartbreaking disappearance of Ardan Pepon, a three-year-old girl who went missing in 2021. Her uncle, who had been supervising her near a river, reported her as missing during a shooting practice session. Despite an extensive search, little progress was made. Her uncle later pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment. Miso and her team have been tirelessly searching for Ardan’s remains, scouring the riverbanks for any trace of her. “Have you ever thought about giving up?” Miso asked the searchers, and the answer was resolute: “Not ever.”

The search for Ardan is just one of many cases the Okami Forensics team is tackling. With over 4,000 unsolved cases of missing or murdered Native Americans, Miso and her team are determined to continue their work, all at no cost to the families involved. "This is just the beginning," Miso said. "We want to be there for these families, to help them find answers, no matter how long it takes."

For the families affected by these tragic disappearances, having someone who understands their struggles makes a significant difference. “It’s so important to have Native people handling these cases,” said one mother. "I’m proud that there are Indigenous people out there doing this kind of work." Miso’s roots in the Blackfeet community give her the personal connection and motivation to see each case through, and that connection is felt deeply by those she serves.

For the Indigenous people of Montana, the pain of missing and murdered relatives is all too familiar. "It feels like almost everyone I've talked to knows someone who has gone missing or been murdered," one family member shared. This widespread tragedy paints a grim picture of a community in mourning, but Miso’s work is beginning to offer a glimmer of hope. The strength of the community’s support is clear, but it is bittersweet. "It's good to have the support, but it's also really sad to know that so many people in our community have faced this kind of loss," Miso explained.

The emotional weight of the work is never lost on the team, and the personal stakes are high for Miso. As a mother herself, she feels the pain of the families on a deeply personal level. “I have an 8-year-old and a 3-year-old, and when I first came out to search for Ardan, it really hit me hard,” she admitted. "I could go home and hug my kids, but for Aaron, it’s not that easy." This shared sense of loss drives the team forward, pushing them to work tirelessly, day and night, to bring justice to the missing and to honor the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

The name Okami Forensics carries deep significance, rooted in the Blackfeet language. "Okami" means "to use one’s voice," a fitting name for a team dedicated to restoring the voices of missing Indigenous people. Halo Miso and her team are committed to amplifying those voices, ensuring that the missing are not forgotten and that justice is pursued, no matter the odds.

For the families and communities impacted by these missing persons cases, Okami Forensics is more than just a forensic team; it is a beacon of hope, a reminder that their loved ones are not forgotten, and that justice, though long delayed, is still possible. The team’s work is ongoing, and with each new case they take on, they move one step closer to unraveling the mystery and bringing closure to families across the nation.