The State's Office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Launches Program

A Decade-Long Search for Answers

For over a decade, the Mishow family has been searching for answers about the disappearance of Kateri Mishow. She went missing in 2007, and her mother, Kathy, recalls that Kateri loved fishing and spending time outdoors. Shortly after her disappearance, the family received a tip suggesting she might have been near the river.

Kathy shared that her husband spent over a year walking along the banks of the Mississippi River, hoping to find any clues. However, nothing was found, and the search for answers continued without success. Nearly 20 years later, the family still does not have closure.

The Mishows are now placing their hopes on a new tip program designed to help solve long-standing cold cases and unsolved deaths. The Minnesota Department of Safety’s Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office launched this initiative with the goal of bringing justice and answers to families like the Mishows.

During the 2022–2023 legislative session, lawmakers allocated $250,000 to the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund tip program, which is funded as a one-time allocation. This program aims to encourage individuals with information to come forward and provide details that could lead to breakthroughs in these cases.

Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin expressed his hope that the reward program would motivate people who have been holding onto information for too long to share what they know. He believes it is essential to give these families the closure they deserve.

Currently, there are 16 MMIR cases that qualify for this program. According to Mastin, two of these cases involve missing persons from his department. These cases highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in resolving such mysteries.

Ana Negrete, the interim director of the MMIR office, emphasized that this reward program is unique in the country. Because there was no existing model to follow, it took time to develop and implement the program. She explained that there are specific criteria that both cases and tips must meet.

Cases must be open to law enforcement agencies and go through the MMIR intake process. Tips must provide specific and actionable information that can advance the investigation. Individuals who were involved in the crime or are deceased are not eligible for rewards. Additionally, all tips must be submitted through established channels to ensure proper handling and verification.

This new approach represents a significant step forward in addressing unresolved cases and supporting families who have waited for answers for far too long. With the right resources and community involvement, there is hope that more cases can be solved, bringing much-needed closure to those affected.