MMIP walk/run event planned for May 4
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Every person contributes to the tapestry of life woven by the threads connecting them to others. When a person is gone, the tapestry changes, altered forever by the loss. The loss can change the strength of the tapestry and over time a threadbare space is all that remains. When a person goes missing, the impact on all those tiny fibers, connected across generations and a community is devastating. Not knowing what happened is a daily reminder of the loss. Some find out years later what took place and others never know. Within tribal communities across North America, the reality of missing family and friends is a sad norm. Tribal citizens and grassroots organizations have been aware of the high number of missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives for years. Fortunately, an awareness of this reality has broadened through social media, investigations, podcasts, documentaries, and the ongoing work of concerned individuals over the last few years. Structurally, this has brought about systems changes for reporting, responding to the crisis, family support, and new training models for law enforcement and responders.
On the Flathead Reservation, the truth of the Missing and Murder Indigenous People challenge has directly affected families and friends, who are still looking for their loved ones. That is why an ongoing need exists to raise community awareness and promote individual engagement in prevention. Recognizing the value in community and coming together as one, a partnership from across the Flathead Reservation, will be hosting a 5K walk/run at Salish Kootenai College, in Pablo, Montana on May 4, in support of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People on May 5.
“The MMIP walk/run is important to the community because we need to stand in solidarity with those that are impacted. The event centers around people, human lives, mothers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, aunties … each missing person deserves time, deserves, attention, deserves dignity, deserves justice,” said Erin Rumelhart, head of nursing at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. “As a community we should do as much as we can to bring awareness and use our platforms. We will never stop looking for those missing.”
Rumelhart was part of the planning team behind the project when it was first held in 2023. For this year, co-hosts for the event include Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, the Journey to Wellness, Salish Kootenai College, SAFE Harbor, SKC Center for Prevention and Wellness, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Tribal Health, and Anderson Broadcasting. Proceeds will be donated to the CSKT’s Victim Services Assistance Fund, created to help support families with costs related to search efforts.
“The importance of this event to the community is multifaceted and includes raising awareness about MMIP, supporting and fundraising for our local CSKT MMIP victims and families, as well as creating a space of remembrance for those lost, but not forgotten,” said Dr. Nikki McKinsey, Providence St. Joseph Hospital and MMIP run leadership team. “It is also a celebration and acknowledgement of the fortitude and perseverance of Indigenous people.”
Registration is free and starts at 9 a.m. at the Joe McDonald Event Center at Salish Kootenai College. The opening ceremony is from 10-11 a.m., with the walk/run immediately following. It is a true walk/run and people are encouraged to come with a group of friends or family to tackle the course. The event will take place rain or shine. To find out more, contact Rumelhart at: erin.rumelhart@providence.org.
“The MMIP walk/run has great impact to our community. It has the ability to align our community behind an important cause,” Rumelhart added. “Our collective voices can raise awareness.”
