LAKEPORT>>> Over 1000 people attended the third annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’s Day on May 2 at Xabatin Park in Lakeport. Hosted by the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, the event raises awareness regarding the ongoing epidemic where Native Americans suffer violent and sexual crimes, as well as death, at an alarmingly higher rate than other races.
From noon to 5 p.m. the entire length of sidewalks around the park was lined with art exhibits, crafting stations, and dozens of community resource booths including Native CHP, Solano Women in Medicine, Lake County Breastfeeding Coalition, Bikers Against Child Abuse, and Robinson Rancheria Social Services. T\
The Native Resistance Drum Group opened the ceremony, paving the way for the other dancing groups. First was the Pomo Nation Dancers, then the Xabenapo Dance Group, Xabatin Feather Dancers, Patwin Dance Group, and the Round Valley Feather Dancers.
Midway through the day the LCTHC held a raffle, giving away countless items to the community. On top of that raffle there were free T-shirts, water bottles, Frisbees, bracelets, bubbles – all to raise awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous people. Not to mention the food was also free, providing a literal thousand plates of tacos, rice and beans for the community. Robert Ponce from LCTHC saidm “We do a lot of giveaways, everybody gets a shirt to raise awareness. We brought a lot of shirts but they are running out fast.” By the end of the day only a few odd sized shirts remained.
Community members attending the event painted red hands in murals, on T-shirts, and across their faces to symbolize the silence facing the native community in terms of their missing and murdered peoples. Attendees noted that media silence and even silence within their own communities has only aided in this crisis.
This was the third annual LCTHC MMIP Day, and second at the Xabatin Park location. Prior to this year, the event was held on the LCTHC legacy site located on Parallel Avenue. Joshua Ray from the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians said, “I personally think it’s growing each year.” He continued “There is tons of support, not just native tribes coming and showing appreciation, but everyone who lives in native country. It’s not about race, it’s about us all as humans.”
Trina Fitzgerral, Programs Coordinator for the Inter-Tribal Council of California, sat patiently in her informative booth passing out toys for kids as the hot day came to an end. She spoke about the importance of this event as her agency deals with domestic violence intervention sharing, “Through this event and in everyday, we are strengthening native families through education.”
Recognized across the United States and Canada on May 5, MMIP Day was chosen to recognize Hanna Harris, whose birthday is May 5, as she is one of the many murdered indigenous women in this country. Recently some media coverage was given to 14-year-old Emily Pike, whose body was found dismembered in Arizona. These are only a few instances of the missing and murdered indigenous people as the vast majority are not reported on. With more awareness through events and education like this, the LCTHC and entire native community hope to end this crisis and advocate for the justice, safety, and healing for all indigenous communities.
