Activists Take to the Streets for 10th Annual Indigenous Memorial March

DULUTH, Minn.– Today the Twin Ports participated in its 10th annual march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives.

The march takes place each year on Valentines Day to bring justice and awareness to those missing.

This year, 20-30 people were involved with the event.

Before the march took place families met to share personal stories of their loved ones impacted.

There were also speakers and community advocates to further spread awareness.

With the march growing each year, organizers are optimistic that the message is being heard.

“We do this every year, and every year it gets bigger which is what we want to see. We’re trying to raise awareness because when our people go missing or are murdered it doesn’t get the national news coverage that other cases seem to get. We don’t have the kind of awareness that’s needed to move quickly and find people when they’re missing,” said Desiree Tody, CASDA Ashland & Bayfield County Outreach Program Coordinator.

And over the last decade, one official said they’ve seen significant progress.

“It’s become incredibly powerful over the last decade. Powerful enough to push legislative changes that need to happen. Currently we have our Minnesota MMIR office. We have recognition and an office on the federal level. And each individual state is following suit,” explained Reneann Goodrich, a member of Native Lives Matter Coalition.

Outside of the march, there are other ways to bring awareness

Creating conversation, helping hang posters, or listening and being there for others are a few ways to help out.