Under an orange sun opaque with smoke, the voices of the Samish Indian Nation came together on Tuesday to sing a mournful song while remembering the thousands of missing and murdered indigenous women throughout the United States and Canada.
The song, sung by women for women, is part of a vigil that was led by the Samish Indian Nation’s Chelángen in partnership with the Social Services departments at Seafarers’ Memorial Park.
A Little over 20 people joined the event donning bright red T-shirts with the words, “No more stolen sisters.” embossed across the front.
A couple years ago, a call went out to raise awareness about the large number of native women who have gone missing or are murdered each year.
On April 25, the U.S. Senate mad May 5 the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.
“The color Red was chosen as a way to unite the tribes”, said Angela Jefferson, a Samish Indian Nation social services worker.
“We’re enduring the same pain, experiencing the same grief,” she went on to say.
The vigil gave those who attended a chance to share the names of loved ones lost.
When Jefferson spoke, she remembered her aunt, a woman murdered in Bellingham 28 years ago. To this day the murder remains unsolved.
“Nancy R. Cooke. That’s the name I have to say tonight,” Jefferson said. “My work won’t be done until people know this isn’t an isolated incident.”
The Anacortes vigil was held on the first day of the 13th annual Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Amidst the event there was a two-day meeting between the U.S. Attorney General and tribal leaders to address the violence and needless crimes experienced by Native American and Alaska Native women in their tribal communities.
A 2017 CDC study reveals Native American and Alaska Native women experience some of the highest rates of homicide of all races reported in the study.
Leslie Eastwood, the Samish Indian Nation’s administration and human resources general manager, closed her eyes in reflection before she began to speak.
“There are tender emotions around this,” Eastwood said. “I have an ancestor who lost her life in Anacortes.”
As the sun fell behind the horizon, members of the tribe rolled out a banner to be carried as they walked through the park. “Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women” was etched across in strong, bold letters.
At times melodies could be heard coming from the tribe members as they navigated the streets. At other times, the singing ceased as members stopped to read the signs that were pinned to trees along the way, each one sharing a fact or story of native women who have suffered.
One sign read: “Isabell Burney, age 17 went missing 8/5/18 in Lacey, WA. She is still missing.”
Another: “Deandreia Harrison went missing on 5/27/18 in Albequerque, NM. She is 17 years old.”
Standing before the tribe members and guests, Jefferson told the crowd “Listen closely, for those who have left this Earth might still be heard.”
“To our sisters, please know we will never forget you,” Jefferson continued. “We will honor you until our last breath.”
