BENA — Twelve seniors received their diplomas May 29 at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig school, and two empty chairs recognized the missing and lost among their classmates.
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig teacher Bambi Brown addressed the empty chairs, explaining who they belonged to.
“The first one belongs to Niigaani Winini, which means ‘young man in front’ [in Ojibwe] and in English, Preston Kier White," Brown said. "Although mental illness took Preston from us a little over three years ago, his memory for many of us is really vivid.”
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
The second empty chair was reserved for a friend of Preston’s, Nevaeh Kingbird, who disappeared from Bemidji in 2021. Her mother picked up her honorary diploma in her stead.
“When we find Nevaeh, and we will, she surely will go on to help Native youth in our communities,” Brown said. “I know that Nevaeh would be very proud of her classmates today wearing her photo, with the MMIR hand on your caps. Exactly what she would have done if she were in your shoes.”
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
MMIR stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, and the red handprint has become a symbol for the movement to bring attention what is described as an epidemic in North America.
Nevaeh Kingbird was last seen in October 2021 around the south side of Bemidji. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Bemidji Police Department. Submit tips by texting 847411, calling 1-833-560-2065, or emailing ojs_mmu@bia.gov.
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School is an alternative education option that got its start in 1975 to serve 35 students on the Leech Lake Reservation. It is named for Chief Hole in the Day, a staunch symbol of resistance and resilience of the Leech Lake Band.
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— A portrait of Nevaeh Kingbird on an empty chair at the beginning of Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
A portrait of Nevaeh Kingbird sits on an empty chair between graduating seniors at the beginning of Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025. Nevaeh's name is heaven spelled backwards, she was a member of this year's graduating class.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, holds daughter's portrait, a Pendleton blanket and honorary diploma after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, holds daughter's portrait, a Pendleton blanket and honorary diploma after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025. Ana Negrete, interim director of Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, helps her.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A graduate gets a hug after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
A graduate gets a hug from Petra Rodriguez after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025. She wears a cap with a red handprint and silhouette of Nevaeh Kingbird.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Audience members in the auditorium during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Audience members in the auditorium during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025. Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, Teddi Wind, is third from right in the front row.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Graduates stand in front of the stage after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Graduates stand in front of the stage after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig sign and audience members in the auditorium during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
A Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig sign and audience members in the auditorium during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— 02 Graduating seniors stand before the stage after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Graduates stand in front of the stage after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A student wears a graduation cap with a red handprint and silhoutte of Nevaeh Kingbird during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
A student wears a graduation cap with a red handprint and silhouette of Nevaeh Kingbird during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Graduating seniors stand on the stage at the beginning of Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Graduating seniors stand on the stage at the beginning of Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Classroom teacher and special education teacher, Bambi Brown, speaks about Nevaeh Kingbird and Preston White during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Classroom teacher and special education teacher, Bambi Brown, speaks about Nevaeh Kingbird and Preston White during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives scarves on the remembrance bench in honor of Nevaeh Kingbird at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives scarves on the remembrance bench in honor of Nevaeh Kingbird at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Ivan Lonechild sits on the remembrance bench he made in honor of Nevaeh Kingbird after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Ivan Lonechild sits on the remembrance bench he made in honor of Nevaeh Kingbird after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Leech Lake Honor Guard and students line up before Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Leech Lake Honor Guard and students line up before Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Alexis Charnoski accepts Nevaeh Kingbird's honorary diploma during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Alexis Charnoski after accepting Nevaeh Kingbird's honorary diploma during Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, holds her daughter's school jacket after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, holds her daughter's school jacket after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, stands in front of a remembrance bench for her daugher after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, stands in front of a remembrance bench made in honor of her daugher after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A red handprint with the name, Navaeh, on a car in the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's parking lot on May 29, 2025.jpg
A red handprint with the name, Navaeh, on a car in the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's parking lot on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— A graduation cap with a red handprint and silhoutte of Nevaeh Kingbird on a table after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
A graduation cap with a red handprint and silhouette of Nevaeh Kingbird on a table after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, wears her daughter's school jacket after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Teddi Wind, Nevaeh Kingbird's mother, wears her daughter's school jacket after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Nevaeh Kingbird's portrait on a remembrance bench after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Nevaeh Kingbird's portrait on a remembrance bench after Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Marlo Mesarina holds a portrait of Nevaeh Kingbird as students enter the auditorium for Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Valedictorian, Marlo Mesarina, holds a portrait of Nevaeh Kingbird as graduating seniors enter the auditorium for Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
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— Alexis Charnoski and other graduating students line up before Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.jpg
Alexis Charnoski and other graduating seniors line up before Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School's graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
