“Families have braved unimaginable pain and loss. Now it is your turn to be brave and step out of the culture of silence,” said Ana Negrete, interim director of the MMIR Office. “We need you to come forward with the information that can help our families and our community heal.”  

While the goal of the reward fund’s tip program is simple, the road to get here took time, careful attention to detail and collaboration across multiple agencies. MMIR staff worked diligently to build a process that maintains a tipster’s confidentiality throughout the reward evaluation process while preserving the integrity of the information provided. The Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Advisory Group, DPS’ Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), numerous law enforcement agencies and Crime Stoppers all contributed to the effort.  

“In Ojibwe, Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag means ‘They will be remembered forever,’” said Sen. Mary Kunesh, who co-authored legislation to create the MMIR Reward Fund with Rep. Liish Kozlowski. “That name not only honors the ones who we have lost, but the families who still carry their memories. Those families stood strong. They demanded answers and justice. Today is their victory. And they, along with those they have lost, will be remembered forever.”  

How the reward fund works 

To be eligible for an award, there are criteria for cases and tips: 

• Eligible cases: Cases must have completed the MMIR intake process and be open with a law enforcement agency. 

• Tip value: Tips must provide specific and actionable information that advances the investigation.  

• Exclusions: Tipsters involved as suspects or accomplices are not eligible for payout, nor are deceased tipsters. 

The amount of the award is determined by the lead law enforcement agency investigating the case. The reward fund’s policy outlines defined reward amounts in terms of their impact on the investigation. A conviction is not required for any reward tier.   

• Between $1,000-$2,500: For tips that result in significant investigative progress identifying persons of interest, primary suspects or accomplices. 

• Up to $5,000: For tips that lead to the arrest of a suspect or suspects, or substantial progress in the investigation. 

• Up to $10,000: For long-term missing or homicide cases that result in location of remains, supports the decision to prosecute or results in case closure. 

“Over the years we have probably investigated hundreds of tips in our two most high-profile missing persons cases,” said Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin. “Even promising leads can fizzle out when tipsters stop responding. We hope that these financial incentives can help those with information to stick with our investigation until the end.” 

There are 16 MMIR cases currently eligible for rewards. The procedure to submit a tip can vary from case to case. Tips may be submitted directly to law enforcement agencies involved in the case or through a designated third party like Crime Stoppers. 

Anonymous tips are accepted. However, eligibility for a monetary reward may require follow-up verification or direct communication with law enforcement or the MMIR Office.  

The MMIR Office is not a law enforcement agency and does not accept tips. 

“Reward fund programs are a beacon of hope when families have yet to see justice,” said Juliet Rudie, DPS tribal relations director. “Success won’t look like how many rewards are paid out or even how much money is given. We’ll see it when cases are closed, arrests are made and crimes are prevented directly because of information received due to monetary compensation.” 

How the public can support the reward fund 

Minnesota lawmakers established the state’s Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund during the 2023 legislative session with a one-time allocation of $250,000. The following year, state Sen. Mary Kunesh and Rep. Kozlowski introduced a specialty license plate to support ongoing investment in the reward fund. 

The public can support the ongoing efforts of the Reward Fund by purchasing an MMIR license plate through DPS’ Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division. The plate features a red handprint, which symbolizes the historic silencing of the violence that Indigenous people have faced for generations and the dedication to hearing those voices moving forward. The ribbon skirt on the license plate includes the sacred colors (red, white, yellow and black) of the four directions: north, south, east and west.​ 

The plate costs $15.50 and requires a minimum $25 annual contribution to the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Account. There is currently about $350,000 in that account, over $100,000 of which is supported by 4,458 registered MMIR license plates as of July 10. The MMIR license plate is currently the third most popular specialty plate in Minnesota.  

MMIR plates are available for both motorcycles and vehicles and can be requested online via DVS or in person at an office. 

Donations to the Reward Fund are also accepted by check payable to the State of Minnesota with “MMIR Reward Fund” in the memo line and mailed to the following address: 

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office 
c/o Office of Justice Programs 
445 Minnesota Street 
Suite 2300 
St. Paul, MN 55101 

Eligible cases 

The scale of MMIR in Minnesota 

The MMIR Office currently has 22 active cases. So far in 2025 the office has closed eight cases: six when the victim was found safe, one when the victim was found deceased and one case that ended in prosecution.  

Sixteen MMIR cases are currently eligible for awards from the Reward Fund.  

According to the BCA’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse data, 716 Indigenous persons went missing in Minnesota last year. Of those, 57 percent were women.  

Indigenous women make up less than 1 percent of Minnesota’s population, but in 2024 they accounted for 10 percent of all missing females reported in the state. 

Murder is the third leading cause of death for Indigenous women and girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Indigenous women experience a murder rate 10 times higher than the national average according to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. 

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About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,400 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention. 

About the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office strives to reduce and end violence against all Indigenous people in Minnesota. ​ The office is housed in the Office of Justice Programs.