NAIC Holds 2nd Annual MMIR Prayer Walk in Brookings

On May 5, 2026, the Northwest American Indian Coalition (NAIC) gathered with community members in Brookings for our 2nd Annual MMIR Awareness Walk to honor and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. The walk began at the Chetco Public Library, crossed the Chetco Bridge, and returned to the library for continued reflection and community gathering.

Wearing red and walking together in prayer and remembrance, participants helped bring visibility to the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People and the deep impact this violence has on Indigenous families and communities. As participants walked, a few supportive honks from passing drivers served as a meaningful reminder that the broader community was standing with us in remembrance and solidarity. Katrina Thompson-Upton, Founder and Executive Director of Northwest American Indian Coalition, said, ‘This walk is not only about grief and remembrance, but also about love, visibility, and our shared responsibility to honor Indigenous lives and seek justice.’

Following the walk, attendees were invited to a special screening of Who She Is, a documentary that shares the stories of four Indigenous women lost to violence and seeks to humanize the people behind the statistics. The film has been described as a project that helps audiences better understand the broader MMIW/MMIR epidemic through storytelling and personal narrative.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this year’s walk, wore red, shared space in prayer, and stood with us in remembrance and solidarity. Community participation is what gives this gathering its strength, and we are deeply grateful to each person, family, and partner who helped make the day meaningful.

We also extend our appreciation to those who supported the event behind the scenes and to all who continue to raise awareness, advocate for justice, and uplift Indigenous voices. May 5 is recognized nationally as a day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, and gatherings like this help ensure that remembrance is carried forward through community action. learn more at nwaic.org/mmir

Shu’ ’aa-shii nin-la

Following the walk, community members gathered for a screening of Who She Is, a documentary honoring the lives of four Indigenous women lost to violence and bringing humanity to the MMIR story through personal narrative.