Review: MURDER IN BIG HORN
by Karen Pecota

USA | 2022 Director: Razelle Benally, Matthew Galkin

Investigative journalism on the mysterious disappearances and murders of Native American women within the last decade is the focus filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin showcase in their latest documentary MURDER IN BIG HORN. Their three-part series is told from testimonials closest to those Indigenous women and girls that have vanished. A complete conundrum kept secret for too long.

Big Horn is the name of a rural county in Montana, home of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Nations. Benally and Galkin examine possible reasons of those who have most recently gone missing. But there are many unanswered questions related to every female that has either disappeared or has been found murdered. The area of the individuals found is vast ranging along the I-90 corridor of highway from Seattle, Washington to parts of the East Coast. The circumstance that surrounds each victim is perplexing to the local law enforcement, the families, Native journalists and tribal leaders.

The search for loved ones missing will never end, but what does that say to the epidemic that has been going on within the Indigenous people groups, namely women, for over 200 years? Benally and Galkin bring pointed awareness to the general public to care and plead for help. A watchful eye and the ability to sense, as well as report, suspicious behavior regarding mishandling of Indigenous, if noticed, is greatly appreciated and most welcomed.