Where is Ashley Loring Heavy Runner?

My first thought when I found out about the 2017 disappearance of 20-year-old Ashley Loring from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana is that I had no idea that there was an issue with missing and murdered Native American women on reservations across the country. The Loring family and others are stepping up and saying they are no longer invisible. The family told me they feel as though their cases don’t get the attention they deserve by police and the media but they are working to change that. They also talked about how the law works on the reservation and how they need more protocols for the missing and other murder victims. One thing I found interesting in my research is that both the men and women are at a higher risk of becoming a victim of crime on the reservation by someone who is non-native. On another note is that it was awesome to see Kimberly testify before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to talk about the mishandling of Ashley’s case and the need for justice.

There was so much information that came with this story/case that I broke it up into two parts. Part 1 focused on Ashley’s story and part 2 continues to discuss Ashley along with other issues that have come with the case that are common with other missing persons cases on the reservation. I spoke to documentary film maker Ivan MacDonald who has been following cases and working on a documentary called “When They Were Here” https://www.whentheywerehere.com/ set to launch in early 2020. It focuses on how the families work their way through the tragedies they experience. I also spoke to activist Deborah Shipman Maytubee who runs the non-profit Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA https://mmiwusa.org/ . In 2015, Deborah moved to Portland with her now ex-husband and that's where she started to realize that there are missing and murder victims on reservations across the country. That along with the murder of 2 good friends is what drove Deborah to do her non-profit work. Ashley’s family says they have conducted over 100 searches with family members and volunteers over the last 18 months on the reservation. I can appreciate how dedicated the family is and how the community is starting to speak up about the crimes happening on the reservation and the need for help.

I think Ashley’s story is an eye opening and compelling example of how much I really knew about the reservation and the historical impact on how violence continues to plague indigenous women. It’s also important for me to share Kimberly’s testimony you can read it here.. https://www.indian.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Kimberly%20Loring%20Heavy%20Runner%20Final.pdf

My thoughts are with the Loring family and all others who are living with the reality of a missing loved one. Ashley is 5 foot 2 about 90lbs and was last seen wearing a gray sweater and a pair of jeans.

Here is a link to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women website… https://www.facebook.com/mmiwusa/

Link to Savanna's Act document..https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1942