This episode contains vivid descriptions of domestic violence. Please be advised.

Lissa Yellowbird Chase understands how drugs, alcohol, and abuse can play into the challenges indigenous communities face because she's experienced all of

it herself. She identifies as Ericorah, which is part of the three affiliated tribes in North Dakota.

Alyssa has lived a hard life. These days, she helps find missing indigenous women, and she knows the way she used to live, she could easily have been on the other side of a search.

Once you start understanding the reasons why people are going missing and murdered, I feel more gratefulness

because I had every reason to be one of the missing and murdered.

It's like, that was me.

How many times in retrospect that I've looked at different situations that have happened to me,

I could say there have been a couple handfuls of times where I've had some pretty close near misses.

Indigenous women are murdered up to ten times the national average,

and finding missing women on reservations is often hindered by a lack of resources and a fog of bureaucracy.

Ever since she started searching for missing and murdered women, Lisa has begun to heal from years of trauma.

But she was a broken spirit for a long time until she was lifted by her elders

spirits. And now she provides hope for other natives who are looking for answers.

I'm Vic Vela. I'm a journalist, a storyteller, and a recovering drug addict.

And this is back from Broken from Colorado Public Radio,

stories about the highest highs, the darkest moments,

and what it takes to make a comeback.

Music Let's take a quick cough break. And then take your drink.

Clear your throat.

Get yourself together.

Yeah.

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