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'We are all relatives': Onigum, Walker communities come together for MMIR

KAXE | By Larissa Donovan
Published May 6, 2026 at 5:02 PM CDT
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.

Native and non-Native community members came together for a special event on a national day of remembrance for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives.

WALKER — Around two dozen people gathered in Walker on Tuesday, May 5, to commemorate the national Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Awareness Day.

The city of Walker commemorated the night by illuminating its lighthouse red, matching nearly all the participants’ clothing worn to show solidarity with the cause.

The ceremony included smudging, a tobacco offering and a space to remember missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, near and far.

Natasha Kingbird, a co-founder of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women 218, sang a song written by her brother, which she described as calling the spirits to guide missing and lost loved ones, and the families left behind.

Community members listen to Natasha Kingbird speak at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Community members listen to Natasha Kingbird speak at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.

Kingbird is a relative of Nevaeh Kingbird, who disappeared from Bemidji in October 2021 at age 15. Kingbird said Nevaeh often assisted families who experienced this type of grief before she went missing herself.

May 5 is recognized around the country as a day of awareness for the disproportionate levels of violence Indigenous people face. The state’s Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives reports on its website that nearly 10% of all missing people in the state are Indigenous women, who represent about 1% of the Minnesota’s population.

Kingbird said Tuesday’s gathering in Walker was a way to bring Native and non-Native people together on this important issue.

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Natasha Kingbird leads a smudging ceremony at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Natasha Kingbird leads a smudging ceremony at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.

“We want to raise awareness to community people, and we want more allies," she said. "We need the support to continue this work because if we didn't, I think sometimes our voices are unseen and unheard.”

Teresa Gunter is on Leech Lake’s Onigum Local Indian Council and took charge of coordinating the Walker event. Onigum is a largely Indigenous community directly across Walker Bay, but about a 13-mile distance by land. She said she hopes the Tuesday event could act as a bridge between the two communities.

“Walker and Onigum are still separated. They're segregated,” Gunter explained. “We still have stigmas that are attached to Onigum that it's not safe to go out there. And I want people to know it is. We're just normal people out there. We don't have a lot of money, but we're all so close and we love to celebrate and let people know what we deal with.”

Linsey McMurrin attended Tuesday’s event. A Walker resident, she’s been doing work across the region to build bridges via the Leech Lake Cultural Alliance.

A young community member holds a Nevaeh Kingbird sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
A young community member holds a Nevaeh Kingbird sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
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“We know that there's been tense times throughout our Walker and Onigum communities as well as across Leech Lake,” she said. “I’m very encouraged to see the growth this year in the event, seeing more and more folks coming together and wanting to learn. Part of the challenge of this area is that there's such a lack of awareness on the issues that are impacting our neighbors, our fellow community members.”

Priscilla Smith is also on the Onigum Council. She had a special connection to Rose Downwind, who was reported missing from Bemidji in 2015. Her remains were located after two months of searches, and her ex-boyfriend was convicted of her murder.

Smith said after the ceremony that these types of gatherings are important to community members who are carrying grief.

Teresa Gunter hands out tobacco to a participant at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Teresa Gunter hands out tobacco to a participant at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.

“It helps us to know that there's hope for the people that are missing," Smith said. " ... It’s just nice to see our Native and our non-Native people coming together.”

MMIW 218 recently received a $17,000 donation from Bemidji’s chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, which preceded a Sunday MMIR event in Bemidji that included an awareness walk and conference.

Kingbird said next steps for the organization include the possible formation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, but the work continues with assisting families who deserve answers.

“There's a lot of families looking for closure, but there's not enough resources to help those families,” Kingbird said. “With the Missing and Murdered Office, we talked a lot about what we could do realistically, and that's really turning to some of the grassroots programs that are within some of our own towns and reaching out to some of the people doing the footwork.”

Priscilla Smith holds a handmade rattle and smudge bowl an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Priscilla Smith holds a handmade rattle and smudge bowl an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
1 of 18  — 03 Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A participant wears a beaded red handprint necklace at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
2 of 18  — A participant wear a beaded red handprint at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A participant wears a beaded red handprint necklace at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
3 of 18  — Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Community members participate in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Teresa Gunter hands out tobacco to a participant at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
4 of 18  — Teresa Gunter hands out tobacco to a participant at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Teresa Gunter hands out tobacco to a participant at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A community member holds a scarf from the Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.
5 of 18  — A community member holds an MMIR scarf at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A community member holds a scarf from the state Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
6 of 18  — Walker Bay Lighthouse in City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025 in Walker_1.jpg
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
7 of 18  — 02 Walker Bay Lighthouse in City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025 in Walker.jpg
Walker Bay Lighthouse at City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Community members listen to Natasha Kingbird speak at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
8 of 18  — Community members listen to Natasha Kingbird speak at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Community members listen to Natasha Kingbird speak at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A community member participates in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
9 of 18  — A community member participates in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A community member participates in an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A young community member holds a Nevaeh Kingbird sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
10 of 18  — A young community member holds a Nevaeh Kingbird sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A young community member holds a Nevaeh Kingbird sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Community members participate in a smudging ceremony during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
11 of 18  — Community members participate in a smudging ceremony during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Community members participate in a smudging ceremony during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Natasha Kingbird leads a smudging ceremony at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
12 of 18  — Natasha Kingbird leads a smudging ceremony at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Natasha Kingbird leads a smudging ceremony at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Priscilla Smith and Natasha Kingbird lead an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
13 of 18  — Priscilla Smith and Natasha Kingbird lead an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Priscilla Smith and Natasha Kingbird lead an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A burning sage stick in a smudge bowl at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
14 of 18  — A burning sage stick in a smudge bowl at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A burning sage stick in a smudge bowl at an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Priscilla Smith holds a handmade rattle and smudge bowl an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
15 of 18  — Priscilla Smith holds a handmade rattle and smudge bowl an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Priscilla Smith holds a handmade rattle and smudge bowl an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Walker Bay Lighthouse is illuminated in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
16 of 18  — 03a Walker Bay Lighthouse in City Park is lit in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025 in Walker.jpg
Walker Bay Lighthouse is illuminated in red light to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
A community member holds a Justice for Emily sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
17 of 18  — A community member holds a Justice for Emily sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
A community member holds a Justice for Emily sign during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Natasha Kingbird speaks during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
18 of 18  — Natasha Kingbird speaks during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2025, at City Park in Walker.jpg
Natasha Kingbird speaks during an event to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) on May 5, 2026, at City Park in Walker.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE

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Local News Missing and Murdered Indigenous RelativesLeech Lake Band of OjibweWalkerNorthwest MinnesotaKAXE
Larissa Donovan
Larissa Donovan has been in the Bemidji area's local news scene since 2016, joining the KAXE newsroom in 2023 after several years as the News Director for the stations of Paul Bunyan Broadcasting.
See stories by Larissa Donovan
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