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- By Native StoryLab
The Girl Scout Murders have garnered national attention through features on true crime documentaries. The case remains especially compelling, as it remains unsolved nearly 50 years later.
Join host Levi Rickert for an episode of Native Bidaské, featuring Gary Pitchlynn, the Choctaw attorney who defended Gene Leroy Hart in one of Oklahoma's most notorious criminal cases.
In this interview, Pitchlynn reveals the shocking details behind the 1977 Girl Scout murders, sharing how he and his partner, Garvin Isaacs, successfully defended Hart against what they believed was a deeply flawed prosecution. The episode explores the complex intersection of Native American justice, evidence manipulation, and the power of legal advocacy.
Pitchlynn's firsthand account offers unprecedented insights into a case that has captivated true crime audiences for decades. Discover the untold story of how two young lawyers fought against a system seemingly designed to convict their client, with unexpected help from Cherokee medicine men.
Don't miss this compelling narrative that challenges our understanding of justice, racial bias in law enforcement, and the resilience of Native American legal professionals.
Tune in to Native Bidaské on June 6th at 12 pm ET - an episode you won't want to miss.
Streaming on Facebook and YouTube.
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
