Reward increased for missing CSKT woman

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Tribal Council is offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding a woman who has been missing for almost a year.

Jermain Charlo was last seen in Missoula June 16, 2018, Law enforcement officials believe she is the victim of a crime because she suddenly stopped using social media.

According to information from the Tribe, its council authorized the donation of $1,000 for information on the whereabouts of Charlo. Last week, family members of the missing woman asked the council for increased support in the form of an additional $9,000 in reward money, which would be paid out only if the information results in the filing of criminal charges.

“The hope is that the Tribes’ investment will go a long ways in holding someone accountable for what has happened to Jermain,” Tribal Chairman Ronald Trahan said.

CSKT funded the first Missing Person billboard for Jermain that was put up for six months. Since then many others have come forward to support the effort through donations. Council agreed to pay for another six months for the billboard at a cost of $2,600. Lamar Advertising donated a second billboard.

The Tribal Council has been an avid supporter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls effort in 2019. In January, the council approved a resolution to organize and support MMIWG efforts. In May, the name was changed to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, or MMIP.

A number of community meetings were held across the reservation community. Trainings were offered on human trafficking and safety awareness. A Missing Person’s protocol was developed and distributed around the community. Another training is planned for July.