Holding Hope
Search and Rescue
In honor of Arden Pepion, we are proud to announce the formation of an equine search and rescue team 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.
The initial search for Arden lasted just ten days, but since then, a small group of dedicated women and three remarkable men have tirelessly committed themselves to bringing her home. Their unwavering efforts have inspired us to expand our mission by harnessing the unique abilities of horses in search and rescue operations.
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.
What We Do
Our team specializes in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and people, focusing on addressing the unique challenges these cases present. We are dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities and other Native nations on the ground, providing assistance wherever we can.
Through our efforts, we aim to bring hope and closure to families facing unimaginable loss, ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we honor Arden’s memory and strive to make a meaningful difference in our communities.
Holding Hope SAR Team
Our Holding Hope search and rescue team is committed to providing vital support in the search for missing individuals. Each of our team members holds certification in search and rescue (SAR), ensuring that we bring expertise and professionalism to every operation. We are currently training our horses to detect cadaver scent, enhancing our capabilities to locate missing persons. In addition to our equine resources, we are in the process of incorporating trained SAR dogs into our team, which will further strengthen our search efforts.
Media
Diana Burd has been involved in the search for the young Arden Pepion since the day she went missing on the Blackfeet Reservation in April 2021, and she hasn’t given up hope.
“We always hope. We always think the best,” Burd told the Daily Montanan on Thursday.
Interested in joining our team?
Please fill out this form and we will be in touch! We are thrilled to establish our equine SAR team and are looking forward to adding to our team.
