…we really have to take it all the way back to that point of colonization in 1492, when Christopher Columbus first came … And prior to that point in time, in 1492, our women were revered, they were respected, and they didn't experience the kinds of violence that Christopher Columbus and his men that came with him … And that history has continued to manifest throughout time since that point of contact… - Audrianna Goodwin
February 14th has become an international day of remembrance and awareness of missing and murdered indigenous people. Marches and ceremonies took place across northern Minnesota and beyond yesterday, noting the ongoing issue of the disappearance of indigenous people.
MMIW 218 hosted Bemidji’s MMIR event with a solidarity march to Bemidji State University’s Beaux Arts Ballroom for afternoon of community, awareness, connection, healing and hope. Speakers discussed the ongoing problem of MMIR and the historical events contributing to modern issues around the epidemic. Families of still-missing Jeremy Jourdain and Neveah Kingbird spoke of their experiences and pain. Sage was passed. And there was food, drumming, singing and dancing for strength, health, healing, and hope.
In this Area Voices, Audrianna Goodwin discusses the historical context of violence against native people and Theresa Jourdain shares her experiences in those early weeks of her son Jeremy going missing.
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