Iron Bear from Shiprock, New Mexico sang round dance songs during the MMIR event.

Zhaida Wilbanks receives a blanket from Tirzah Camancho.

Tirzah Camancho and Trennie Collins address those in attendance in Buckley Park for the MMIR Round Dance & Rally.

Edward Box III presented Jade and Denise with a blanket for winning the Ribbon Skirt contest in the MMIR category.

Tisa Bernally-Russell describes the makings of her ribbon dress and repurposed from material that was once a curtain.

Helaina Taylor and Trisha Taylor enjoy the songs and round dance with others in Buckley Park in Durango, Colo.

A round dance was held in Buckley Park, with songs sung by Iron Bear of Ship Rock, New Mexico.

Tirzah Camacho, Trennie Collins, and Edward Box III, along with Precious Collins helped organize the MMIR event.

A shocking statistic in Indian Country that grows larger each day, n 2016, 5,712 cases of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) were reported, of these only 116 cases were actually logged into the Department of Justice Database.

Iron Bear from Shiprock, New Mexico sang round dance songs during the MMIR event.

Kelsey Lansing

Gina Lopez

Randolph Scott, owner of “Sagebrush to Table” provided the fresh mutton and goat stews to feed those in attendance. The sheep and goats were raised on his farm.

Carlita Armstrong, Takota Armstrong, Cassandra Naranjo and Sherryl Pinnecoose after the Walk in Solidarity.

Tisa Bernally-Russell of Farmington, N.M. raises her fist in support for the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives, during the Walk in Solidarity on Main Street in Durango, Colo.

Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Rally & Round Dance for Murdered & Missing Relative (MMIR)

Friday - May 21, 2021 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

A round dance and rally for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) was held in Buckley Park in Durango, Colo. Saturday, May 8. The all-day event not only brought awareness to the MMIR, but also presented powerful speakers, Gina Lopez, Kelsey Lansing and Zhaida Wilbanks advocating against violence towards indigenous people and included a Walk in Solidarity along Main Street.

Tags: Buckley Park, Carlita Armstrong, Cassandra Naranjo, Edward Box III, Gina Lopez, Heidi Taylor, Helaina Taylor, Iron Bear, Kelsey Lansing, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR), Precious Collins, Randolph Scott, Sagebrush to Table, Sherryl Pinnecoose, Takota Armstrong, Tirzah Camacho, Tisa Bernally-Russell, Trennie Collins, Trisha Taylor, Zhaida Wilbanks