(Fort Washakie, WY) – Dozens of family members, peers, and supporters from around the community gathered at the Fort Washakie football field last Friday, May 2, to honor and remember Stephanie Grace Bearstail, whose life was tragically taken in March of 2025.
While the details and investigation updates surrounding the events that led to her death have remained sparse, the community has organized events like marches, an upcoming softball dedication, and Friday’s candlelight vigil to bring awareness to the case, and to also celebrate Bearstail’s life.
“We’re very thankful for the love here today, to support the Ferris family in the loss of their beautiful young daughter, Stephanie Grace Bearstail,” event speaker and MMIR advocate Nicole Wagon told the crowd at the start of the vigil. “It takes a community. We’re going to come together, and with our love and prayers, we’re going to uplift them and pick them up with this vigil, to give that ray of hope.”
“With missing, murdered, and Indigenous relatives, the movement, you’re not alone. We stand with you. We stand behind you. It’s a different kind of hurt, it’s a traumatic hurt, when your loved one is taken, especially too soon and too young. It hurts.”
“I’m so proud of my niece, Nikki, and how she’s advocating for her daughter, (along with) her husband and the family,” Wagon continued. “Being her voice, you all here, are giving them that strength to carry on for Steph.”
“Together we’re going to get justice for Steph; we’re going to empower the youth. Our youth are hurting. We need to educate them about healthy relationships. We need you guys,” Wagon pleaded to the many youth in attendance. “You are the next generation, the upcoming leaders of our Tribes. We depend on you. Turn to your elders, get their wisdom on who we are culturally.”
“This candle vigil tonight… will be in Stephanie’s honor and memory, celebrating her life. Hold on to those beautiful memories, especially the ones that bring you joy and (make you) smile,” Wagon concluded before conducting the opening prayer.
“Be strong for Nikki, she gave her baby life, she lost her child,” Wagon, herself a mother of two daughters lost in the MMIP crisis, later said to the crowd. “Prayers are strong, powerful, and free.”
“Please don’t tell me, ‘You know how I feel,’ unless you have lost your child too,” Wagon later said on behalf of Nikki. “Please don’t tell me (our) broken hearts will heal, because that is just not true. Please don’t tell me that my child is in a better place. Although that is true, I want them here. Don’t tell me it’s time to move on, because I cannot. Don’t tell me to be thankful for the time I had, because I wanted more.”
“What you can tell me, is you will be here for me. That you will listen when I talk of my child, Stephanie Bearstail. You can share with me precious memories. You can even cry with me for a while. Please don’t hesitate to say her name, because it is something I long to hear every day. Please realize that I can never be the same. But if you stand by me, you may like the new person I become.”
“With that being said, we need your help,” Wagon then added. “Somebody knows something. Please say something—that one missing piece of the puzzle to get justice for her baby girl.”
“Together we’re gonna get justice for Steph.”
(Folks with any information are encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 307-335-7559.)
Following prayer/honor songs, a collection of statements and memories, many of which came from Stephanie’s best friends and peers, were read aloud to the crowd.
Accounts shared told of a girl beloved by many, who was a consistent source of laughter among her friends and family. A softball player, overall athlete, and inspiring youth who was taken too soon, a “once-in-a-lifetime person.”
“I’m dedicating my whole season of softball to you, and your parents, who did an amazing job raising you,” one friend declared in her statement.
The memories shared elicited equal parts tears and laughter from those in attendance.
“What happened to Stephanie will always leave a deep hole in this community,” the family also shared. “Whether you knew her or you didn’t, everyone here is grieving. Whether it’s the brutality and unfairness of her ongoing case, sympathy for Stephanie and other victims of domestic violence, or our missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, everyone is here for a reason.”
“We will never forget what happened to Stephanie. We refuse to keep quiet. Stephanie, you are so loved. Your friends, family, and community are going to miss you forever. We will all keep fighting for you. We are your voice, and we will get justice.”
At the conclusion of the vigil, Tasha LeClair from Eastern Shoshone Victim Services offered the office’s information for anyone else who is going through, or knows of someone who is going through, a domestic violence situation. More information can be found here, or by calling 335-2050.