OKMULGEE – May 5 was National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Day, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services held its annual MMIP Honor Walk at the Mvskoke Dome Pavilion. This event was held to raise awareness in the community, provide information, and share updates on MMIP cases on the Mvskoke Reservation. Many MCN representatives, tribal employees, and citizens came to support this cause. This year’s theme was “Estofis Vnokeckv. Svnvcomv Ehosetcv,” which translates to “Forever Cherished. Never Forgotten.”
At this event, MCN CVS provided a memorial display for families who wanted to honor their loved ones. They encouraged everyone to wear red, handed out free MMIP t-shirts and buttons, and had their information booth open. MCN CVS provided information to families seeking justice for their loved ones or wanting more details about reporting a missing person. MCN Lighthorse spoke about the reporting process. After the MCN Lighthorse discussion, MCN CVS also provided updates on missing-person cases on the reservation. They also spoke about the services that they provide for families of homicide victims.
“This year’s turnout was great. We were very happy with the support that we received from the community, in which we’re always excited to see that support, and for the cause of MMIP. We are making sure that we’re getting those faces out there and family members are able to come and share their loved one’s story,” said MCN CVS Outreach Coordinator MaCaylin Autaubo (Wichita).
One of the misconceptions about MMIP that Autaubo would like to dispel is the idea that “we’re just another face in the crowd.”
“I think that it’s so important that we’re able to utilize the resources that we have with our Lighthorse Police Department, our program, and everything that the Nation offers because we do want to assist these families, and also just break the stereotypes that surround MMIP. We want to be there to comfort families and just be there for them,” Autaubo said.
Last year, MCN CVS put up billboards featuring active missing person cases on the Mvskoke Reservation. Autaubo said family members were reaching out to them and that one of the cases had been resolved.
“We actually had a missing person who was on that billboard. He was located last year; I believe it was just a couple of months after the billboard campaign was placed. Somebody had seen the billboard, called into Lighthorse, and they were able to locate him and reunite him with his family. We were very excited about that outcome,” Autaubo said.
Autaubo said they had received great coverage in the news outlets, which they were proud of.
“Because oftentimes MMIP cases get overlooked within the news outlets. So those billboards were able to bring that awareness to the public at large and not just for tribal citizens,” Autaubo said.
The program wants people to know that MMIP Day isn’t just in May or on May 5; it’s every day after. Autaubo discussed that MMIP cases often start with domestic violence and sexual assault, so their program also wants to provide that outreach and awareness for that.
“We’re trying to educate domestic violence and sexual assault because I mean that’s kind of what starts MMIP cases oftentimes. We just want to make sure that just because it’s in May doesn’t mean it stops on May 5,” Autaubo said.
“These disappearances and murders are often directly linked to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, and longstanding harms impacting Indigenous communities,” stated the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. “56.1% have experienced sexual violence, 55.5% have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner, and 48.8% have experienced stalking.”
Decreasing MMIP cases starts with conversations and education. For MCN CVS, that means helping citizens identify signs early, what signs look like, and when and how to seek help. Autaubo mentioned it’s important to recognize a healthy relationship from a toxic one. MCN CVS also starts those conversations with the youth, like in their February “Real Love Respects” bowling event.
To report missing person cases, you can contact the MCN Lighthorse Police Department at 918-732-7800.
For any information about the MCN CVS, call 918-732-7979. To stay up to date on their events or program, you can follow them on their Facebook page, Muscogee Nation Center for Victim Services.
