*Editors note: this story contains descriptions of acts of physical violence
Okmvlgee, Oklv. – Mvskoke Media has confirmed that two police reports were filed with Mvskoke Nation Lighthorse Police by Joe Anderson and Summer Wesley on Sunday, Dec 29, 2024, regarding allegations of physical and sexual assault by Mvskoke Nation Associate Tribal Liaison Michael Berryhill in 2019.
Joe Anderson’s Lighthorse report alleges a physical assault by Berryhill. The assault purportedly occurred Saturday, March 30, 2019. An eye witness to the attack alleges Michael Berryhill launched an unprovoked physical attack on Anderson, punching him multiple times in the side of the head while Anderson was asleep on the couch.
Summer Wesley’s Lighthorse report detailed the same account she provided for Mvskoke Media’s previous coverage. Since that coverage Wesley has faced backlash from community members and both current and former employees of Mvskoke Nation.
Wesley has also been put in the crosshairs at her place of employment.
After her public disclosure as a survivor of alleged sexual assault, an anonymous complaint was filed with Wesley’s superiors and an investigation launched at her place of employment.
“I was informed that a complaint had been made to my place of employment and escalated to executive leadership. While they will not disclose the origin of that report, or if they are aware of it, it is an absolute travesty that any person should have to fear for their job simply for speaking the truth.”
Wesley’s experience filing a report with Lighthorse came with obstacles as well. According to Wesley she was told to file the report in person. When she completed the report she was advised to email it.
“Why did I have to drive to get a piece of paper that could have been emailed to me that would have saved me time and frustration,” Wesley said. “Officer Theresa Davis also questioned the long gap between the incident and my filing a report. They are proving my point of why I didn’t file this in the first place.”
Wesley and Anderson both addressed the time gap in an email obtained by Mvskoke Media:
“Assaults like these are not something that are prosecuted. It seemed pointless, however, given the fact that the public was made aware of the assaults and many are demanding an investigation, we are making these statements in order to be as cooperative as possible with the investigation.”
Attorney and University of Kansas Professor Sarah Deer, who does not know any of the parties involved in this story, is a Survivors Advocate who has testified before Congress on issues affecting Native women regarding physical and sexual violence and whose work was instrumental in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2013 spoke broadly about the all too familiar experiences survivors have when they disclose either voluntarily or, as in Wesley’s case, under threat of an investigation.
“There are impediments to people disclosing. Victim blaming. The fear of being judged for being a victim. There’s shame and embarrassment as well. Even though the victim isn’t responsible for the crime, there still can be a sense of embarrassment and shame and guilt.”
“People can lose their jobs, people can be harassed, people can be gaslighted, all of those kinds of things when you do disclose sometimes. The blowback is more intense than I think survivors realize. It can be a kind of a re-victimization when people are discussing what happened to them,” stated Deer.
“Depending on who comes forward and who supports [the survivor] versus who aligns with the perpetrator, there’s just a lot of fear that comes along with that,” Deer added. “That’s why we have things like the Violence Against Women Act in place. It’s because we need those sorts of protections.”
Lighthorse Police Investigator Les Vaughan stated that several reports had been filed but due to the ongoing nature of the investigation could not comment further.
Mvskoke Media did confirm that Michael Berryhill attended the December 7, 2024 Florida Outreach trip the MCN Tribal Liaison Office took to Tampa, FL. This trip took place prior to the publication of coverage of the sexual assault allegation against Berryhill, but after the investigation by Cabinet Secretary of Community & Human Services Carmin Tecumseh-Williams had commenced Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Mvskoke Media reached out to MCN Press Secretary Jason Salsman for comment on the mounting claims regarding Berryhill’s alleged conduct and any confirmation that may have been made by Chief Hill. Salsman responded, “Any allegation of a criminal nature is turned over to Lighthorse. Due to privacy laws, respect for victims and their rights, as well as the integrity of any and all investigations, no comment will be made.”
If you or someone you know is the survivor of sexual assault there is help available. The Mvskoke Nation Victims Service 24 Hour Crisis Line is (918) 732-7979. You do not have to be Native to call.
