BARAGA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Across many native communities, high rates of abuse and domestic violence leading to victims gone missing or found killed are often unfollowed in media coverage or police, by as much as 95% of cases. On Friday afternoon, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community gathered at the Ojibwa Campground to remember and share stories about those victims.
Following a prayer and informative speech by KBIC Victim Services, drums echoed through the campground woods while several attendees walked through wearing red, a symbol of visibility for the missing and murdered population.
“Red is the color that spirits see the most,” explained KBIC Intimate Partner Violence Officer, Jessica Carlson. “If you go around our community right now, there are red dresses and shirts hanging in local businesses in support. We want to say, ‘I know its uncomfortable to look at that red shirt, but that’s someone who’s not with us now, and someone we miss dearly.'”
Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Day (MMIW) is recognized on May 5, and Murdered and Missing Indigenous Men Day (MMIM) is recognized on June 6.
Outreach for KBIC victim advocate services can be found here.
