MMIR Motorcycle Run

Friday - September 8, 2023 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

Members of Southern Ute Tribal Council stand in support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women with members of Native Love at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum, as over 100 supporters rode their motorcycles from Durango to Ignacio, Sunday, Sept. 3.

Daisy Bluestar was one of the lead riders, as her and other riders pull into the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum, during the MMIW Run from Durango, Colo.

Bradlin GoodTracks and Waynoka Whiteskunk and other riders, rode into Ignacio in support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Madilenia Chavarillo, and an estimated 100 riders enter the parking lot of the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum.

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force of Colorado at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum in Ignacio, Colo on Sunday, Sept. 3.

Trevor Bird, organized the MMIW Run with Native Love as part of the Four Corners Motorcycle Week. All proceeds from the MMIW Run went to the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives Task Force of Colorado.

Jochen Zeitz, the president, CEO and chairman of the board of Harley-Davidson, Inc., participated in a show of support for the MMIW Run.

Southern Ute Vice-chairman, Lorelei Cloud speaks of the work Southern Ute Tribal Council, with Native Love, and collaborations with local and regional organizations in the ongoing battle to locate missing and murdered indigenous women and relatives.

Southern Ute Councilmember, Vanessa Torres, gave a small speech about the progress the State of Colorado's MMIW Task Force and collaborative statistics that show the office is making progress in the epidemic of missing Indigenous women and relatives in the State of Colorado.

Ute Elder, Hanley Frost introduces his niece, Leandra Litz, Jr. Miss Southern Ute before he sings an MMIW song he composed.

Hand Drum singers sing an MMIW song, composed by Ute Elder, Hanley Frost.

Velma Armijo and Kathleen Cajero serve breakfast of fresh tortillas, eggs, potatoes and choice of bacon or Spam.

Christopher Winterhawk places his painted hand onto the MMIW Mural.

Brittany Lambright (Potawatomi) from Forest County, Wisc., places her painted hand on a mural created by other riders in solidarity and support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Motorcycle Run at the Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum.

Fort Lewis College Intern for SASO, Tahleiah Begay of Durango, Colo. a fixes her painted had to the MMIW Mural.

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