Hanna’s Story
NFL 360: gone | Eli ankou
Originally Aired Tuesday, November 21, 2023 on NFL Network
Starring Eli Ankou & Shayna Powless
Picture of Hanna Harris & Her Son Jeremiah. Image provided by: missoulacurrent
Hanna Harris
Hanna Harris was born May 5th, 1992 & was a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. At 21 years old on July 4, 2013, Hanna left the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation for Independence Day fireworks in Lame Deer, Montana, never to return. The next day her family reported her missing, however, local law enforcement minimized the gravity of the situation. Four days later, a volunteer search team found Hanna’s lifeless body in the Great Plains.
Hanna Harris, in her tragic fate, symbolizes the broader issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, highlighting the hardships and injustices faced by this vulnerable demographic. Her lasting impact is seen in advocacy efforts, particularly the passage of Hanna's Act, aimed at addressing the problem and providing support to affected families and communities.
Hanna celebrating her birthday. Image provided by: Great Falls Tribune
National MMIWG
Awareness day
Many honor Hanna annually on her birthday, May 5, otherwise recognized as National MMIWG Awareness Day. This day serves as a national day of awareness for the thousands of Indigenous individuals who go missing or who are killed each year.
On May 5th, many express their homage by wearing red, illuminating homes with red lights, sharing stories on social media, and participating in community events.
Click to learn more about MMIWG Awarness Day
Proponents of Hanna’s Act line up to share stories of missing & murdered family members with the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Montana State Capitol on March 11th, 2019. Image & Caption provided by: NativeNews 2019
Hanna’s Act
Hanna's legacy is further embodied in HB 21 in the Montana Legislature, signed into law on May 3rd, 2019—better known as Hanna's Act. It empowered the Montana Department of Justice to assist with the investigation of all missing persons cases; requiring the employment of a missing persons specialist; and providing duties and direction on funding for that position.
Hanna's Act was designed to improve the response to missing persons cases involving Indigenous individuals by focusing on & enhancing coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies, providing better resources for investigating and solving cases, and addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities when dealing with missing persons.
The full text of Hannah’s Act may be read here.
“There are many barriers to the safety of Native women and girls. This National Day of Awareness is important to all missing and murdered Native women and girls because one of the barriers is the silence surrounding these disappearances and murders. We organized this walk for justice to increase public awareness of this crisis and I hope all members of Congress will support our efforts to create the changes needed. Please do not forget our missing and murdered Native women and girls. Thank you.”
—Malinda Limberhand, Mother of Hanna Harris
