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Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Where is Sa'Wade Birdinground ? Missing Montana teen's last-known location revealed
A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information that helps find 13-year-old Sa'Wade Birdinground. She went missing from her grandparents' home in Montana last October. The FBI's Salt Lake City office is offering $5,000, and the Crow Tribe, which Sa'Wade belongs to, is giving another $5,000. After a press conference on Friday, people from the community walked together and released red balloons at Little Big Horn College. This was a way to show their hope and support to bring Sa'Wade back home, according to Yellowstone Public Radio. Sa'Wade's case is part of a bigger problem in the U.S.—many Indigenous people, especially women and girls, go missing or are murdered. In states like Montana, where there are big Native communities, this happens more often. The group Native Hope says Indigenous women are killed at a rate 10 times higher than other women who live on reservations. Murder is the third top cause of death for Native women. The Department of Justice has a program called 'Operation Not Forgotten' that tries to help by giving more support to investigate these cases and fix the unfair treatment Native people often face. Sa'Wade was last seen on the night of October 6, 2024, at her grandparents' house on the Crow Indian Reservation in Garryowen, Montana. She hasn't been seen or heard from since. The reservation is about 65 miles southeast of Billings. It's near where Sitting Bull's camp used to be and close to the Little Bighorn River. Long ago, the area was used by Plains Indian tribes for summer hunting, and one of the biggest Native gatherings in North America happened there. Also Read: 5 bodies appearing to be missing musicians of Mexican regional music band found near Texas border At the time she went missing, Sa'Wade was around 5'4' to 5'5' tall, weighed between 130–140 pounds, had curly brown hair and brown eyes. She often wore an elk tooth necklace. That night, she was wearing a black hoodie with mushrooms on it, an anime T-shirt, basketball shorts, and purple slip-on Skechers. She might also have had a black and purple Adidas backpack, according to the FBI. So far, searches by the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, local police, the Montana National Guard, and community volunteers haven't found any solid leads or sightings, local news station KTVQ reported. Officials say this case stands out because of Sa'Wade's young age and the situation around her disappearance. They also pointed out that many Native families go through this every year, with loved ones going missing and not enough answers.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
FBI Offers Reward for Info Leading to Indigenous Teen Missing for 8 Months
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A combined $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the discovery of 13-year-old Sa'Wade Birdinground who vanished from her grandparents' Montana home last October. The FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office offered a $5,000 award that was matched by the executive branch of the Crow Tribe of which Birdinground is a part of. Following a Friday press conference, members of the community held a walk and presentation of red balloons at Little Big Horn College, symbolizing collective hope and continued efforts to bring Birdinground home, Yellowstone Public Radio Reported. Why It Matters The teenager's disappearance has drawn attention to the broader crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the United States, particularly in Montana and other states with significant tribal communities. Indigenous women make up a disproportionate majority of missing and murdered women in the U.S., with the murder rate 10 times higher for women living on reservations, according to the organization Native Hope. Murder is the third leading cause of death for Native women, the organization added. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) "Operation Not Forgotten" reflects a national push to boost investigative resources and address longstanding disparities in response to cases involving Indigenous individuals. What To Know Birdinground was last seen at her grandparents' residence on the Crow Indian Reservation in Garryowen, Montana, on the night of October 6, 2024. Since then, she has not been heard from. The reservation sits about 65 miles southeast of Billings and is near the former site of Sitting Bull's camp, on Garryowen bend of the Little Bighorn River, according to the city's website. The area was a traditional summer hunting campsite for many Plains Indian tribe and was the site of one of the largest Indian gatherings ever recorded in North America. When last seen, the 13-year-old was approximately 5'4" to 5'5" tall, weighing 130–140 pounds, with brown eyes, curly brown hair. She is also known to wear an elk tooth necklace. On the night she disappeared, she wore a black hoodie with mushrooms, an anime T-shirt, basketball shorts, purple slip-on Skechers and may have also carried a black and purple Adidas backpack, the FBI's release said. Early searches by the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, local law enforcement, the community, and the Montana National Guard have led to no confirmed sightings or significant leads, according to a report from local news station KTVQ. Federal and tribal authorities described Birdinground's case as exceptional due to her age and the circumstances and highlighted the ongoing struggle of Indigenous communities where dozens of members are reported missing each year. So far this year, the FBI doubled the number of special agents assigned to investigate cases on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal nations. Data from the Crow Tribe showed that while about 78 missing persons are reported annually, most cases are soon resolved. Sa'Wade Birdinground, 13, has been missing from the Crow Indian Reservation since October of 2024. Sa'Wade Birdinground, 13, has been missing from the Crow Indian Reservation since October of 2024. FBI What People Are Saying Mehtab Syed, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake City Field Office that covers Montana, Utah, and Idaho, said during Friday's press conference: "Eight months is an incomprehensible amount of time for any family to be without their child. For eight months, Sa'wade's family has had to know life without her." He added: "Sa'Wade is not forgotten. She matters, and we are doing anything in our power to bring her home." Wade Birdinground, Sa'Wade's father, said during the press conference: "It's been a whole different life. To be honest, it's been horrible. I just want to thank the FBI and the Crow Tribe and everybody else. Thanks for helping me out and continue to search for Sa'Wade." Frank Whiteclay, Crow Tribal Chairman, said during the press conference: "We wanted to match the FBI's award so we can show not only the family, but the community, that my administration is here for the community to assist whenever a crisis comes ahead." What Happens Next? Federal, tribal, and local agencies are continuing the active investigation, seeking public tips and following all available leads. The FBI urged the public to come forward with any information and have established a dedicated tip line for Sa'Wade Birdinground at the Salt Lake City Field Office (801-579-6195). Tips can also be submitted online at Community leaders also urged the public to remain vigilant and share information widely on social media.
