The 4th annual MMIR Walk/Run saw around 30 participants begin the 15-mile trek from Elmore’s Corner (Hwy. 160/CR 172) to Ignacio, Saturday, May 3. The walk was established in 2022 by Native Love, an Ignacio non-profit to “Build Awareness” to the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) epidemic that plagues Native American communities throughout the U.S. and Canada. This year’s walk saw support from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Southern Ute Police Dept./Tribal Rangers, Division of Social Services and other Tribal departments, and local volunteers. Twelve Nahui Ollin Runners from Denver joined the walk again this year. The walk ended in the Ute Park with a welcome by Little Miss Southern Ute, Malia White Thunder, guest speakers, SUPD Chief Barrow, Preston Barry and Marvina Olguin of Southern Ute Behavioral Health, a prayer by Councilwoman Marge Barry and a meal, prepared and served by Ignacio volunteers concluded the event.
Rebecca Price carries a staff of the Nahui Ollin Runners during one of the legs. The runners initially walked with the larger group to airport hill, then backtracked by vehicle to Elmore’s Corner, and began running towards Ignacio, eventually catching up to the group of walkers at the former Peaceful Spirit building in Ignacio.
Zaliyah Bluestar runs the last stretch carrying the Nahuii Olin Runners’ sacred braid. Zaliyah is nine-years old, and a student at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy.
Marvina Olguin joins Preston Barry, both of the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Department, offered their resources and what programs they have available.
Southern Ute Police Department Chief of Police, Michael Barrow offered words of support and
Little Missouthern Ute receives a swag bag from Benjamin Lopez, Addictions Counselor at Behavioral Health.
Local volunteers Velma Armijo and Melinda Ortiz, serve participants of the MMIR Walk/Run. Roman and Alyssa Seibel, and Keevin Reynolds also assisted with the meal.
Walkers and runners join Diana Lee, at the memorial for her son, Dominic Sandoval, who was killed while working on Hwy. 172, Feb. 10, 2022.
Little Miss Southern Ute, Malia White Thunder greets walkers and runners alike at the Ute Park after the walk
Nick Diaz of the Nahui Ollin Runners, from Denver, speaks at the closing ceremonies of the MMIR Prayer walk, with Native Love members, Daisy Bluestar and Kristean Velasquez.
Walkers and runners make their way to Ute Park in Ignacio after completing the 15 mile walk. They were greeted by volunteers, and community members, and served a meal. Guest speakers addressed those in attendance and prayers were offered in support of “Building Awareness” of the missing and murdered Indigenous people.
MMIR Prayer walkers and runners assemble prior to walking to Ute Park together after completing the 15 mile-walk from Elmore’s Corner to Ignacio.
Native Love founder, Daisy Bluestar acknowledges all who hear the prayers of those who have lost a loved one. Elder Hanley Frost said a prayer and with David Tallbird, sang a sunrise song prior to the walk.
Social Services Division Head, Vera Blackwater and Lorelei Cloud lead walkers along CR 172 towards Ignacio.
Clarissa Price and her sons, Lucas and Adam Price have been particpants of the walk since it’s incepetion in 2022
Walkers – James Wilson, of Southern Ute Behavioral Health and friend Luke Brown, give a thumbs up, as they ascend airport hill.
Walkers and runners join Diana Lee, at the memorial for her son, Dominic Sandoval, who was killed while working on Hwy. 172, Feb. 10, 2022
Staff members of the Southern Ute Division of Social Services assiated walkers and runners by providing snacks and drinks
Walkers begin the trek to Ignacio in the early morning of Saturday, May 3. Walkers are led by Lorelei Cloud and Daisy Bluestar.
Kristean Velasquez, Native Love Board member and Matthew Carrillo; Carrillio, a student at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy, carried the Southern Ute flag at the beginning of the walk.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: courtesy Keevin Reynolds
Photo Credit: courtesy Keevin Reynolds
Photo Credit: courtesy Keevin Reynolds
Photo Credit: courtesy Keevin Reynolds
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
