MT advocates mark "Day of Awareness" for missing and murdered indigenous people May 5 marked National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, and across Montana, people gathered to make sure the crisis isnât forgotten. By: Jonathon Ambarian and last updated 2021-05-13 11:12:31-04 HELENA â May 5 marked National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, and across Montana, people gathered to make sure the crisis isnât forgotten. In Helena, events started Wednesday morning. A small group of people gathered on the Walking Mall to âSmudge the Streets.â Smudging is a traditional ceremony for cleansing and purification. Those taking part walked up Last Chance Gulch, burning bundles of sage and sweetgrass, spreading the smoke and holding prayers.