Holding Hope SAR Team

Our equine 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.

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Diana Burd, Jr.

Co-Founder & SAR Manager

Diana has been at the forefront of the search for Arden alongside Aaron and Arbana Pepion. As a co-founder of Holding Hope Diana brings a wealth of lived experience and technical training.

Certifications:

-SAR Skills for the First Responder-Emergency Response Int.

-Lost Person Behavior-Emergency Response Int.

Trainings:

-From Missing Person to Murder: The Investigation and Prosecution of No Body Homicides-NCJTC

-2024 National AMBER Alert and AMBER Alert in Indian Country in Indian Country Symposium

-2022 National Association for Search and Rescue Virtual Conference-NASAR

-Professional Memberships:

National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)

Arron Pepion

Co-Founder & Arden's Dad

Aaron is a dedicated father, advocate, and co-founder of the Holding Hope SAR Team. He is deeply committed to the search for his daughter, Arden Pepion, whose disappearance inspired the creation of the Holding Hope Search and Rescue (SAR) Team. Through his efforts, Aaron continues to honor his daughter’s legacy and fight for justice and support for families affected by the crisis.

Aaron's late partner, Arbana Pepion, was a steadfast advocate for her daughter, holding on to hope and working relentlessly to find Arden before her untimely passing. Her strength, resilience, and determination continue to inspire our work in the search for justice and healing for families affected by the MMIW/G2 crisis. Through her unwavering love and dedication, Arbana's legacy lives on in the mission of Holding Hope.

Belinda Bullshoe

MMIW Specialist

A dedicated member of both the Buffalo Women's Society and the Women's Stand Up Headdress Society. With years of experience in advocating for missing and murdered Indigenous women, Belinda brings invaluable cultural knowledge and expertise in MMIP issues. She is also a committed member of the Holding Hope SAR Team.

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Tawna Bradford

SAR Assistant

Tawna is from Two Medicine, Montana and has been with the search for Arden from the beginning. Tawna assists the SAR program manager with project coordination.

Certifications:

-SAR Skills for the First Responder-Emergency Response Int.

-Lost Person Behavior-Emergency Response Int.

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Nugget Mad Plume

Ranch Manager

Equine SAR Team Lead

Nugget has been with the search for Arden since the beginning, utilizing his knowledge of Two Medicine and horses to lead the mounted equine SAR team.

Certifications:

-SAR Skills for the First Responder-Emergency Response Int.

-Lost Person Behavior-Emergency Response Int.