VOICE FOR THE SILENCED: BONNIE BLEY UNCOVERING TRAGEDIES AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN BIG HORN COUNTY - VORAKA

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 02 May 2025 by Suzume Naoko | www.vorakamag.com

Bonnie Bley, a native of Wyoming, spent her formative years in the border reservation town of Hardin, Montana, a place that would later inspire one of her most poignant literary works. It was during her ninth-grade English Literature Composition class that her passion for writing took root, nurtured by the encouragement of her teacher, Mr. Edwin Auker. His influence sparked a lifelong love for storytelling, particularly in the realm of non-fiction.

Her educational path led her through Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Bloomington, Minnesota, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in Medical Technology. She later enhanced her writing skills through coursework with The Institute of Children’s Literature, further refining her voice and narrative craft.

Shot by Dante Davison | Makeup by Lydia Janka | Hairstyling by Kelsey Seehusen

Bonnie has lived in Minnesota since the late 1980s, making it her home while maintaining deep emotional ties to her roots in Montana and Wyoming. Her professional journey includes roles as a medical laboratory technician, a nanny, and a recruiter in the transportation industry.

Her award-winning book, Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County, is a powerful exploration of the missing and murdered Indigenous persons crisis in the region where she grew up. Her work has earned her literary honors from The BookFest, Literary Global, Story Trade, and the prestigious Person of the Year recognition. It has also received endorsements from MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous People) advocates, cementing its importance as a voice for the voiceless.

Outside of writing, Bonnie enjoys playing the piano, chasing the Northern Lights, hiking, attending live concerts, and traveling. She deeply values time spent with friends and family and is passionate about giving back. She volunteers with Feed My Starving Children, packing meals for children affected by global famine, and at The Wildcat Sanctuary, where she supports caretakers and engages in enrichment activities for rescued wild cats. Through her compassion, persistence, and storytelling, Bonnie Bley continues to shine a light on injustice and bring awareness to communities that are too often overlooked.

ABOUT HER BOOK

STOLEN VOICES BY BONNIE BLEY

BUY NOW

Stolen Voices: Missing and Murdered in Big Horn County is a powerful and deeply moving work by author Bonnie Bley, who courageously dives into the heartbreaking epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Big Horn County, Montana. Having grown up in the very community she writes about, Bley brings a rare authenticity and emotional depth to this urgent narrative. At the heart of the book is the tragic case of Selena Not Afraid, a young Indigenous woman who vanished on New Year’s Day 2020 and was later found deceased under suspicious circumstances. The official cause of accidental hypothermia is alarmingly common in the region, particularly within Crow Indian Country, and Bley’s book scrutinizes these recurring, unexplained deaths with compassion and determination.

But Stolen Voices goes far beyond a single case. Bonnie Bley recounts multiple stories of young Native American individuals who have gone missing or been murdered in Big Horn County, shining a light on systemic failures and institutional neglect. Through heartfelt interviews with grieving families and firsthand accounts of trauma, she reveals a pattern that can no longer be ignored. The book also highlights the tireless work of activists, advocates, and community members fighting for justice and change in Indian Country. Each chapter is a testament to resilience, pain, and the urgent need for societal reform. Stolen Voices is not only a memorial to the victims, but it is also a call to action, urging readers to advocate for accountability and justice. Bley’s empathetic storytelling gives voice to the silenced, raising national awareness of a crisis that demands immediate attention. Stolen Voices is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of race, gender, and justice in America.

Stolen Voices also shines a light on those working tirelessly to make a difference, grassroots organizers, tribal leaders, and family members who have turned their grief into activism. Their stories are woven throughout the book, illustrating a powerful contrast between institutional failure and community resilience. Bley’s compassion for these advocates and her admiration for their courage radiate from every chapter.

Bonnie Bley’s meticulous research and personal connection to the subject matter elevate this book from a regional exposé to a national call to action. Her ability to humanize statistics and statistics that reflect lives lost or broken is both heartbreaking and vital. She calls on readers not only to bear witness to these injustices but to become part of the movement demanding change.

Stolen Voices is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, Indigenous rights, and true stories that matter. It is a reminder that behind every headline or lack thereof, lies a family searching for answers, a community crying out for recognition, and a nation still struggling to reckon with its past. Through her powerful and compassionate storytelling, Bonnie Bley ensures these voices will not be forgotten. Stolen Voices also shines a light on those working tirelessly.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE BLEY

Voraka: How have your roots in Montana and Wyoming shaped your writing, especially in “Stolen Voices”?

Bonnie: My roots have a deep impact on my writing, especially with Stolen Voices, as I was able to map out areas and scenes in my head from memories. I was able to weave my own personal experiences into Stolen Voices to provide better depth and context.

Voraka: What lasting impact did your 9th-grade teacher, Mr. Edwin Auker, have on your writing journey?

Bonnie: He introduced me to the writings of Poe, Shakespeare, Hemingway, and other legends. He taught lessons of poetry through music of the time we could relate to. His assignments and love of essays challenged me in ways no other teacher had done.

Voraka: How have your varied careers, from medical tech to nannying, influenced your perspective as a writer?

Bonnie: They have added to my life experiences, which in turn flow into the creative process for writing. Up until publishing Stolen Voices, writing was a hobby and not a career goal to chase. My writing has been more beneficial in my past professions rather than those professions influencing my writing.

Voraka: What inspired you to focus on missing and murdered Indigen-ous people in Big Horn County?

Bonnie: My focus on this topic started the day Selena Not Afraid went missing. She was from my hometown, and her story was on my Facebook feed daily because I am connected with many people in that community. She was the one who grabbed my wholehearted attention.

Voraka: How did studying at The Institute of Children’s Literature shape your approach to non-fiction?

Bonnie: I had a great instructor at TIOCL, she provided valuable feedback on each graded assignment. I was assigned both fiction and non-fiction assignments. She told me that my non-fiction writing skills were stronger than my fictional writing skills, and non-fiction tends to be what I gravitate towards.

Voraka: How has winning literary awards and receiving endorsements impacted your career and writing?

Bonnie: It has given Stolen Voices a stronger sense of validation. I put my heart and soul into this book, so it has made the journey from beginning to end (research, first draft, tenth draft, roadblocks, sleepless nights, tears, sacrificing plans to write, to book launch) totally worth it.

Voraka: How do your volunteer activities with wild cats and hunger relief inform your worldview and writing?

Bonnie: I love my volunteer work! It gives me a larger view of worlds with which I was unfamiliar. It is great to be part of something bigger than myself. I can play an intricate role in saving a life. My volunteer time is quite therapeutic and gives me fresh energy.

Voraka: Writing about tragedy can be tough -how do you manage your mental and emotional well- being?

Bonnie: Lots of dark chocolate! There were many times I had to set it aside and shift my focus elsewhere for a few days. I would get out of the house and spend quality time with friends and family. I had an amazing support system to get me through.

Voraka: How do you ensure the stories of Indigenous people in “Stolen Voices” are told with authenticity and respect?

Bonnie: Telling the stories with the utmost respect to the victims and surviving family members was my top priority. I interviewed family spokespersons and individuals for each story told in Stolen Voices. I listened to them relive the trauma and tragedy with empathy and compassion. I cried with many of them.

Voraka: What role do your hobbies, like playing piano and chasing Northern Lights, play in your creative process?

Bonnie: My hobbies help me decompress, shift focus, recharge, and rejuvenate. They bring about calmness and joy. Playing the piano is extremely calming, soothing, and relaxing. The Northern Lights are a magical experience like no other. I get completely lost in them, and in those moments, it is like nothing else exists.

Voraka: What do you hope readers take away from “Stolen Voices,” and what’s next for you as a writer?

Bonnie: I am hoping my book raises a greater national awareness of the problems facing Native American Indians and the systemic failures and breakdowns that occur not just in the United States, but globally as well. My next big project is translating Stolen Voices into several different languages.