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Jermain Charlo, who grew up on Montana's Flathead Reservation vanished on June 15, 2018. #shorts

July 27, 2025 / 02:26

This episode covers the case of Germaine Charlo, a missing indigenous woman from Missoula, Montana, and the ongoing efforts for justice in the MMIW crisis.

Germaine Charlo disappeared on June 15, 2018, after leaving a bar. Her family, along with community members, are advocating for justice and fair treatment for missing and murdered indigenous women.

Jen Murphy, a volunteer in the search for Charlo, discusses her initiative to place Charlo's missing poster on billboards across Montana and the United States, aiming to raise awareness.

The episode features a poignant photo shoot with Vinyl Little Owl, symbolizing the silencing of indigenous voices through the red handprint, representing the struggles faced by their community.

Charlo's family reflects on the lack of urgency in the investigation, questioning whether her race and circumstances influenced the response. Despite her ongoing disappearance, the mission for justice continues.

TLDR

Germaine Charlo's disappearance highlights the MMIW crisis and ongoing community efforts for justice in Montana.

Episode

2:26
00:00:00
Germaine Charlo went missing after leaving a bar in Missoula, Montana on June 15th, 2018 and hasn't been seen
00:00:07
since. Charlo, a member of the Confederated Salish and Coutin tribes, grew up on the Flathead reservation in
00:00:14
Montana. For years, investigators have been trying to solve her case. Meanwhile, Charlotte's family and
00:00:20
members of the community have made it their mission to make sure that missing and murdered indigenous women, also
00:00:26
known as MMIW, get justice and fair treatment. >> It's not like we're asking for special
00:00:32
treatment. We're just asking for the same treatment. We're not going to stop looking for our people.
00:00:37
We're not. Our lives matter. Jen Murphy, who has joined several volunteer searches for Charlo, came up with the
00:00:45
idea to put Charlo's missing poster on a billboard. >> I currently am doing a project with
00:00:50
billboards throughout Montana and throughout the United States. I try to have billboards as close to our
00:00:57
reservations as possible. Trying to make sure that speaking to the perpetrators too, like we see you. As a photographer,
00:01:05
Jen Murphy is using her lens to open the aperture to the MMIW crisis. This photo
00:01:11
shoot with Vinyl Little Owl was in the same alley where Charlotte was last seen.
00:01:17
>> Starts out with praying and trying to set yourself right. >> We offer a moment of silence in a space
00:01:24
for our sisters to painting on the paint. >> Just relax your hand. Okay. And then just put your hand just
00:01:32
straight down. What does the red hand mean? >> The red handprint really symbolizes our
00:01:38
people being silenced. How we have always been looked at differently and that our people have not
00:01:46
been heard in the same way that other people are. That's a harsh reality and it has been since the beginning of time,
00:01:54
since colonization. >> Charlo's family can't help but wonder about how her case was treated in those
00:02:00
critical early days in the investigation. When I reported her missing, there was no sense of urgency.
00:02:06
I don't know if it's because she's over 18 or because she was drinking or the fact that she was Native American.
00:02:12
>> Charlotte remains missing, but her family and Jen Murphy are keeping their mission alive.
00:02:18
>> I feel like we're all of the human race and should be looked for the same.

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most heartbreaking
  • 70
    Most emotional
  • 70
    Best visuals
  • 70
    Best concept / idea

Episode Highlights

  • Germaine Charlo's Disappearance
    Germaine Charlo went missing in Missoula, Montana on June 15th, 2018, and has not been seen since. Her case highlights the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
    @ 00m 04s
    July 27, 2025
  • Community Efforts for Justice
    Charlotte's family and community are dedicated to seeking justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women, emphasizing the need for equal treatment.
    @ 00m 29s
    July 27, 2025
  • The Symbolism of the Red Handprint
    The red handprint symbolizes the silencing of Indigenous people and their struggles for recognition and justice.
    @ 01m 35s
    July 27, 2025
  • Concerns Over Investigation Urgency
    Charlo's family questions the urgency of the investigation into her disappearance, raising issues of racial bias.
    @ 02m 06s
    July 27, 2025

Episode Quotes

  • We're not going to stop looking for our people.
    Jermain Charlo, who grew up on Montana's Flathead Reservation vanished on June 15, 2018. #shorts
  • Our lives matter.
    Jermain Charlo, who grew up on Montana's Flathead Reservation vanished on June 15, 2018. #shorts
  • The red handprint really symbolizes our people being silenced.
    Jermain Charlo, who grew up on Montana's Flathead Reservation vanished on June 15, 2018. #shorts
  • That's a harsh reality and it has been since the beginning of time.
    Jermain Charlo, who grew up on Montana's Flathead Reservation vanished on June 15, 2018. #shorts

Key Moments

  • Community Activism00:29
  • Art as Protest01:08
  • Symbol of Silence01:35
  • Urgency Questions02:06
  • Call for Equality02:18

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown