A march to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) is returning to Nome Monday. Like year’s past, the event will include a march through town with red-wearing-residents holding signs and chanting.
Event organizer, Deilah Johnson, said the event this year will highlight the local faces of MMIP. Her tribe, the Village of Solomon, has organized the event for several years.
“This event has grown year by year as has the support, the interest, the donations,” Johnson said. “It’s so great to be a part of something that has continued to grow, from 10 of us to last year’s event with over a couple hundred.”
It’s estimated that four out of five Native women experience some form of violence in their lifetime and Native women face murder rates more than 10 times the national average.
“Showing up is integral to ensuring this issue is truly an issue. Other places around the state and other states have been facilitating their own events too- I’m so thrilled to know so many have been gathering and recognizing the injustice," Johnson said.
The event will begin with a sign making activity at the Nome Recreation Center at 1:00 p.m. The march will start at Nome’s Town Hall at 3:00 p.m., head north past Hanson’s and AC’s.
The route, like in the past, will then head east in front of the Nome Public Safety Building. Johnson has long-advocated for collaboration with local law enforcement, and said the route in front of Nome Police Department headquarters is intentional.
“I think furthering awareness, investment and action- ultimately comes down to the local levels uniting together, showing the world and our state leaders that we see this as a concern,” Johnson said. “We want to make sure that on the one day a year dedicated to our MMIP/MMIWG, we show up.”
The march will finish at the Nome Recreation Center, where a potluck and Native dance groups await. Alaska’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Ingrid Goodyear, and U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman will take turns speaking to the crowd.
“His background with training and supporting Ingrid Goodyear’s MMIP work is a pleasant surprise and exciting knowledge/ experience to bring to his new position as the US State Attorney,” Johnson said. “I’m super excited to have him see our show up this year with our courageous families who will be representing their loved ones.”
Participants are encouraged to wear red and arrive to Nome’s Town Hall at 2:30 p.m. before the walk begins at 3:00 p.m.
