Community prepares for MMIP Awareness Day

April 21, 2023

Velia Moncada, 

Community Newsperson

As May approaches, the Gila River Indian Community prepares for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Awareness Day virtual walk/run event on May 5.

In 2020 the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives passed resolutions declaring May 5 as a day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 

In 2021, GRIC  Community Council  declared May 5 as a day of awareness for MMIP by proclamation. 

This year the Community will host a virtual two-mile walk/run for Community members to show support in solidarity for those that have been affected by this crisis.

Organizers for the Community event chose to remain virtual this year once again.  Participants from the past two years expressed that they enjoyed participating in this event at the areas they felt a connection to. Some of these places are areas where their loved ones went missing or where they had their last cherished memories with the individual.

Participants that register for the walk/run  will receive a red commemorative MMIP t-shirt. The t-shirt features three figures representing the O’otham and Pee Posh within the Community. The logo shows two women dressed in O’otham and Pee Posh clothing. And in the middle stands a male entity representing men. Behind the silhouettes is a basket design representing the Community.

The May 5 MMIP Awareness Day will also include an in-person walk/run  for GRIC employees at the Governance Center in Sacaton. The gathering will be the first ever collective two-mile walk for employees in support of MMIP.

Additionally, the Arizona State Capitol and Honwungsi Consulting LLC., will host an MMIP Awareness gathering on May 5. 

Community members are also encouraged to attend the state capitol gathering. 

The gathering will feature workshops, a remembrance walk, and guest speakers beginning at 3 p.m.