HANNAHVILLE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, the Hannahville Indian Community held its second annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives’ Walk.
“Historically, Native peoples have been targeted,” said Hannahville Victim Services Outreach Coordinator Victoria Steinhausen. “Women bring balance to all things, and a culture slowly dwindles down when the women and children are targeted.”
The one-mile walk was a vibrant display of awareness and honor, with nearly everyone wearing something red.
“It’s the color that those that have passed on can see the best,” Steinhausen said. “We do have a sacred fire for those that would like to offer their tobacco to their loved ones. The idea behind this is to kind of guide them home and just remember them.”
Many walked in memory of a loved one.
“I’m walking for my Auntie Kathleen,” said Steinhausen. “She went missing in the early 2000s down in the Florida area.”
“I’m walking for Loretta…my cousin, who was killed on our reservation,” Elder Mary Meshigaud said.
“I am walking for mother, back in 1977,” said Karen Larson, a Native American Traditional Buckskin Dancer. “It was a double murder-suicide. On my dad’s side, there was also another double murder-suicide.”
“I’m walking for my sister Lila today,” said Jenah Mercier. “She was hit by a drunk driver.”
They say they are advocating for the justice many victims never receive.
“It’s not in our Tribal code,” Mercier said. “The driver was only charged with reckless driving and open intox, and she’ll be out in June. We feel that because she took my sister’s life, she should serve more time for that.”
Steinhausen says it is an issue impacting communities everywhere.
“When people go missing, they’re not sure whose jurisdiction it is or they are misclassified as Asian or non-Native American,” she said. “When a crime like this happens, it’s almost pushed to the side because they’re not sure how to handle it.”
As communities advocate for change, they continue to carry their loved ones’ memories, along with hopes of a better future.
“[We want] to help women understand and feel that they’re not alone, that there’s help out there for them,” said Meshigaud. “No matter what community we’re from, what region we’re in, we care.”
On Monday, May 20, WZMQ 19 will have more from Steinhausen on her experience pursuing justice after the death of her sister.
