Every year since National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day was established on May 5, 2021, either I or one of my coworkers have spent the day covering the missing murdered Indigenous women鈥檚 event here in Bemidji.
Over the years we鈥檝e seen the event grow into something increasingly impactful and moving to be a part of. The events are usually attended by several hundred people of all ages from around the region. Sometimes we see a few city councilors and occasionally we will see a police officer, the sheriff or other first responders attend.
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But never have I seen any kind of widespread community support at these events 鈥� even though they鈥檙e open to the public, publicized in our paper and online in addition to social media well before the events take place just like any other event in our community.
This has always struck me as odd and disappointing, but this year it felt like a glaring spotlight of neglect when MMIW 218 expanded the usual walk and short program into a full-day conference with a meal, educational panels and breakout sessions filled with opportunities to learn and find ways to help.
As I walked along taking photos of the march and looked around the room during lunch on Sunday, it was obvious that I was the only media personnel in attendance, there was no law enforcement presence and the only Bemidji city leadership support were two members of the city council. The only non-BIPOC representation in the room were the few regulars I see at many of these events.
The whole situation has stuck with me throughout the week and really got me thinking about the ways our community supports its Native American members.
I see a lot of community leaders and support at things like the Leech Lake and Red Lake State of the Band Addresses each year, I see them at the powwows, the round dances and many of the fun events that the tribes put on each year, so I know they care and are trying in certain ways.
But what are we as a community doing to support the local tribal nations in the struggles that they face each day? Are we being fairweather supporters? Are we just showing up at things when it鈥檚 convenient? Do we think it鈥檚 too depressing to think about, so we just avoid it? Are we sitting back waiting for an invitation instead of initiating the conversation?
While attending all those other events are important ways of showing support and educating ourselves, even more needs could be met by attending an MMIW event, seeing what resources are missing to help bring justice to these families and their lost loved ones, deepening relationships and really listening.
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As I was thinking all these things over the other day I called Simone Senogles, who is part of MMIW 218, a Red Lake Nation member and was one of the main organizers of Sunday鈥檚 event, to get her take on the situation as someone on the inside.
She agreed with a lot of my observations and shared how while community leaders and law enforcement are welcome in these spaces and encouraged to attend, she understands why some may have a bit of apprehension about entering the conversation or feel they are barging into a safe space if not personally invited.
But we both agreed that doesn鈥檛 mean you just stay away and ignore the problem, it will take time and education to learn how to become part of the solution in a way that will be appreciated and accepted by the Indigenous folks involved.
It may start by picking up the phone and calling someone involved and asking how you can help. Maybe you show up at the next gathering, not with a badge or uniform but just as a person in the community who cares. Become a familiar face, build relationships, and earn trust and respect.
Growing up in southern Missouri and not being exposed to tribal communities until I was an older teenager, most of these struggles are something I鈥檝e learned about as an adult and increasingly so since I started working at the Pioneer a little over five years ago.
But it really hit me on Sunday how far I鈥檝e come. By covering so many stories on this topic and in these communities, they now know me as a familiar face and have welcomed me in. That didn鈥檛 happen overnight, I have worked on building relationships, tried hard to earn trust and strived to accurately report on their lived experiences.
I鈥檓 not writing all of this to make accusations or seem superior in any way because I was there that day and someone else wasn鈥檛. I simply want to acknowledge the glaring disparity in the way we support our tribal nations.
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It鈥檚 high time we address whatever bias, racism, stereotypes or systemic issues have led to these divisions and start becoming allies to the people in our community who are often overlooked.
It is going to take real change from the ground up to bring healing to our community as a whole and I hope that you鈥檒l join me in raising awareness for those who need it and advocating for those who may feel invisible.
The organizers of this event and so many others are actively working on discovering what steps we need to take to bring genuine healing and restoration to all of our people. So let鈥檚 humble ourselves, build some bridges and do our part to help find solutions and be part of the change this community needs.
Annalise Braught is a photographer and editor at the Pioneer. She can be reached at (218) 333-9796 or abraught@bemidjipioneer.com.
The Trust Project
