Holding Hope Search and Rescue
Through our mounted equine and canine SAR teams, we provide a unique space where youth & families can connect to their heritage, build leadership, and strengthen their sense of community. We are the first and only Indigenous mounted team trained in equine air scent detection. In addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), our programs offer a way for young people to actively engage in creating safety, support, and healing, while fostering resilience through the powerful bond between horses and culture. By connecting with this sacred tradition, youth are inspired to take on roles of protection and advocacy, ensuring their communities remain strong and united.
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.
Our Work
Our horses are trailblazers—the first Indigenous-owned horses in the nation trained in equine air scent detection. Courageous and intelligent, they are more than tools—they are partners, teachers, and leaders, guiding our teams through challenging terrain and supporting community healing.
What We Do
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Mounted Equine Air Scent Search & Rescue: Locating missing community members across rugged terrain.
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MMIP Response: Immediate, culturally grounded support for families and communities.
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Honoring Arden: Continuing Arden’s search while preserving Wyatt’s legacy of resilience and cultural pride.
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Youth & Community Leadership: Honoring Wyatt's Legacy through Mentorship, cultural knowledge sharing, and equine horsemanship programs that strengthen resilience, identity, and leadership.
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MMIP Advocacy: Advocating for policy change, improved response & data systems, and accountability while uplifting Indigenous voices, families, and lived experience
Request Our Support
Holding Hope provides culturally grounded mounted equine air scent search & rescue services for families, communities, and agencies responding to missing Indigenous persons. Our trained team of humans and horses is ready to assist with searches, provide guidance, and support families during crises.
406-845-6121