top of page
Holding Hope SAR:
Honoring Baby Arden Pepion
In honor of Arden Pepion, the Holding Hope search and rescue team is dedicated to helping families in need. Arden, a vibrant three-year-old girl, went missing on April 22, 2021, near East Joe Show Road along the Two Medicine River, south of Browning, MT, on the Blackfeet Reservation.
Through this team, we honor Arden's memory and aim to provide support to other families facing similar heartaches. Together, we will ensure that no one is left behind, and every effort is made to bring loved ones home.
Holding Hope SAR Team
Our team holds certifications in multiple search and rescue disciplines through NASAR and other recognized organizations, including Lost Person Behavior, Equine Air Scent Detection, Wilderness SAR, SAR CERT, and more, demonstrating extensive expertise and readiness for diverse rescue operations.
Diana Burd
Co-Founder and SAR Manager
Blackfeet
Aaron Pepion
Co-Founder
Blackfeet
Thomas Corona
Equine SAR Team Lead
Blackfeet
Nugget Mad Plume
Equine Manager/SAR
Blackfeet
Tawna Bradford
SAR Program Assistant
Blackfeet
Debra Tirmenstein
K9 Trainer & Operations Advisor
Kelsey Mad Plume
SAR K9 & Equine SAR
Blackfeet
Keaton Anderson
Equine SAR
Holding Hope SAR Equine Team
Our horses are more than partners—they are pioneers. As part of our Mounted Equine Search & Rescue team, they are among the first Indigenous-owned horses in the nation trained in air scent detection. With courage, intelligence, and deep connection to our Land and culture, they lead the way in missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) response, showing that our communities can protect and care for ourselves.
Elvis
Equine SAR- In Training
Comanche
Air Scent Detection SAR
Jose'
Air Scent Detection SAR
Jack
Air-Scent Detection SAR
Holding Hope SAR K9 Team
Our K9s are training with Deb in specialized scent work, preparing to respond to missing persons.
Amaro
Director of Pawsitivity
K9 SAR Team
Cowboy
​Assistant to the Equine Manager
K9 SAR Team
Buck
Ranch Hand
K9 SAR Team
Interested in volunteering with our team?
​
Email:
Call
(406) 845-6121
Follow
bottom of page