Minnesota Native News: Art-Making to Honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Transcript

Headlines: Marie: This week on Minnesota Native News:

February fourteenth marks a day of remembrance and solitary with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Boys, Two Spirit and Transgender Relatives.

This is Minnesota Native News, I’m Marie Rock.  

Violence against Native people is disproportionately high. The CDC reports for the year 2014 that homocide was the fourth leading cause of death in American Indian and Alaskan Native Women ages twenty five to thirty four. And the third leading cause of death in ages five to twenty-four.

With statistics like these, Native families are more likely to have stories in their own circle of family and friends. But communities are coming together to build deeper relationships and gain a louder voice around the issue by marching… and creating art together.

Here’s reporter Leah Lemm with the story.

LEAH: The morning of February fourteenth, the Minneapolis American Indian Center gymnasium was brimming with people wearing red.

Artists, politicians, and surviving family members spoke about hope and loss. Stories were told of children losing their mothers and people growing up without their siblings. Songs were sung with strong voices that sometimes choked with emotion and were restarted.

There were many banners with names, photographs, and death or missing dates that were devoted to those who have been murdered or who remain missing.

The evening before the march took place, All My Relations Arts and Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition teamed up to provide art supplies, food, music, and artist facilitators at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center.

Taylor Rose Payer is the Director of Arts and Cultural Engagement at the Native American Community Development Institute and talked about the purpose behind the art-making event.

PAYER: We're really trying to bring people together around the theme of our exhibition, which is honoring Native women through art and addressing the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women for sure, but also empowering and celebrating what's strong about our women and we see art as a good way to do that.

LEAH: The art-making event was facilitated by two artists, Hillary Kempenich and Moira Villiard, whose work is on display at the Bring Her Home: Stolen Daughters of Turtle Island exhibit at All My Relations Gallery.

When I entered the large community room, I noticed a banner that was spread across several tables.

People were working around the banner with paint and brushes and Moira Villiard was there to answer questions and provide encouragement.

VILLIARD: I think there's a lot going on right now across indigenous communities as far as what art has been able to do for us. I think it's really special today that people can be involved in that aspect of creation.

LEAH: I spent about 15 minutes painting the banner, carefully edging stars with dark purple paint. Stars that meant to signify how though we can comprehend the vastness of the issue, we can’t count how many women and how lives are impacted. It’s like trying to count the stars.

Painting was a meditative experience which allowed me to reflect on the many lives lost but not forgotten.

Villiard mentioned how difficult it can be to talk about missing and murdered indigenous women, among others tough topics, but art can help open up a dialogue.

VILLIARD: Art has been a way within the community for people to start discussing issues that don't often get talked about, like missing missing indigenous women. Right now at this in this time and space art has been a way for us to really get a voice in society and to gain visibility and to re present ourselves.

LEAH: The artwork of the banner was based on the imagery Villiard worked on for the Bring Her Home exhibit. The banner was held during the march the following day.

Hillary Kempenich was another artist at the event and she noted the kinship that creating art together makes, which builds solidarity and support for one another.

KEMPENICH: We actually get to spend time and make something and it's, it's kind of great memories, right? For some people maybe they don't have access to art. That's what I really like about this too, is that, and there's no expectations, so we just kind of go with the flow.

LEAH: The spotlight on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continues to grow, with several events being held around the state.

Moira Villiard and Hillary Kempenich artist information can be found on Facebook. The art exhibit at All My Relations is on display through April 10th. More information at All My Relations Arts DOT COM.

For Minnesota Native News, I’m Leah Lemm.