(Ethete, WY) – Advocates for the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) cause braved the cold rain and snow last Monday for the Wind River Family and Community Health Care Tribal Victim Service program’s MMIP Day 5K Prayer Run/Walk. The event took place on May 5, to honor MMIP Awareness Day.
5K runners made their way to the Blue Sky Hall in Ethete from various locations, including the Washakie Mineral Hot Springs and Wyoming Indian Elementary School, all while being escorted by family and members of the Redrum Motorcycle Club, whose motto is “Spreading positivity on 2 wheels.”
As the runners finished up the 5K, dozens of walkers made their way from Blue Sky Hall to Arapaho Head Start and back, many of whom carried posters and flyers honoring their loved ones.
“Hohou, thank you all for coming out, despite the weather. We all know our loved ones have died or gone missing in all kinds of weather, and for you all to come out to walk, run and pray and honor our loved ones in this rain and snow displays the resiliency of our people,” shared Melissa Brown from Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services (WRCTVS).
While the 5K and walk were not about who finished first, it should be noted that young Glorian Blackburn was the first runner to complete the route.
“Monday’s MMIP event was a collaborative effort between Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services and numerous partner programs and organizations,” commented Dara Jefferson, Northern Arapaho MMIP Tribal Liaison and Executive Director for WRCTVS.
“Staff from WRCTVS were instrumental in reaching out to their various networks to begin planning this years’ event, which was held in Ethete because it is a central location between Ft. Washakie and Arapahoe. Tribal programs from both the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes took part in planning and contributing to our event. It is important for both tribes to work together on addressing the issue of MMIP because it affects all tribal members and the community we call home.”
Following the run and the walk, refreshments were served and a community cedaring was conducted.
In addition to the 5K, a donation drive was coordinated by Carol Harper of Frontier Ambulance, who commented that there were so many donations that “they had to get a trailer to haul them out.”
“It was probably enough to fill two ambulances,” Harper shared. “We were very excited to help, and honored to partner with Tribal Victim Services, Parents as Teachers, and Fremont County Public Health for this event. It was great teamwork and it’s always very gratifying to see everyone working together for a very important cause.”
Organizers also shared that Eastern Shoshone Tribal Liaison, James Sorrels, and Northern Arapaho Business Council members, Michael Yellowplume and Sami Dresser, were in attendance.
“To see leadership at events like this sends a powerful message to the community they serve. It was a beautiful demonstration of solidarity, which is necessary to initiate positive change,” Jennifer Fiendhold told County 10.