MMIP Wind River Update - November 2025

This month I traveled to Washington, D.C. as an American Ambulance Association Stars of Life recipient and spoke with Wyoming's representative and senators on the issues that plague our area of Wyoming, namely, Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation. Being frank and honest with them about the problems and scenes that first responders see every day in the county and our tribes not only sheds much light on the subject of the missing and murdered, but also the events that lead up to and impact those situations, namely...domestic violence, battery, sexual assaults, substance abuse, mental illness, human trafficking, and suicide/suicidal ideations. It's all connected, and the more we come to a better understanding of the realities of what is hurting us, we can begin to put into action the things that will heal us.

I also spoke with several EMTs and paramedics from other states in the U.S., and they, too, have come upon and have struggled with the same terrible scenes. In my group were some EMTs from Arizona, a Four Corners state that includes a large region of the Navajo Nation. Serving the cities and border towns on and near reservation lands is a unique challenge, but the problems are the same. "What can we do?" is the question that is always asked in frustration and discouragement. My answer was that we were all here receiving this award for a reason, and those reasons are what got us here. Keep on doing what you're doing, because what we're doing is caring. What better thing is there, when caring is already a part of the job?

October was Domestic Violence Awareness month, and MMIP Wind River was pleased to share several posts not only on awareness, but also to provide some methods to break the cycle and give hope to victim survivors...to know that they are not alone, and that there are people who care and resources to help. They just need to choose it, and things can be set in motion.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day

One of the things that has and does impact our county and tribes is suicide. MMIP is not just about cases dealing with criminal intent; it is also about the causes of death and dying. Victims of assault and abuse suffer from fear, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There can often be alcohol and substance abuse involved. There can be social and mental health issues.

As a suicide survivor, I didn't just wake up one morning and decide to kill myself. It was years and years in the making of feeling worthless, not good enough, that the abuse was my fault. The pressure of having to put on the happy mask for everyone, when inside I was dying. It was the feeling of having nowhere to turn, nowhere to go, no one I could really talk to, being embarrassed and ashamed. I attempted suicide twice...once, I broke a bottle and cut my wrists. The second time, I took a whole bottle of pills that I knew I was allergic to. I was in the throes of such a deep depression and despair that I felt that death would be better than living with the physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse any longer.

After getting out of the hospital, I was still very numb to life, but I can honestly say that it was my children who saved me. I had to survive for them, and had to do the things that were difficult, but necessary for them. Separation and divorce are hard on kids, but sometimes it's the only choice that a mother can make for her children to have hope and be strong for the sake of their own futures. 

Suicide not only has an enormous impact on families, friends, loved ones, and first responders, but it also has an impact on the Last Responder: the Coroner. Just one life lost creates a ripple effect throughout our entire communities and the world. It creates deep, dark holes in our hearts that never go away. Again, the reason that MMIP even exists isn't just limited to criminal intentions. They are the underlying issues that I relayed to our legislators...the ones that our first responders see every day. There are reasons why someone chooses to take their own life. There are reasons why a child or teenager is taken or trafficked. It can be circumstantial and situational. And it starts in the home, at schools, on the playground, even at church.

This Saturday, there is an event at the Fremont County Fairgrounds in the Little Wind Building (see below). There are good people and local resources available, and I encourage you to attend, or at least stop by for a bit to get some information.

The mission of MMIP Wind River is Strengthening Collaboration, Providing Resources, and Improving Response. This event is proof that our communities are collaborating on these very important issues and are active in providing resources. I am doing my best to help improve the response by being a part of several teams and organizations that understand the need for actions that can segue into these provided resources. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to choose them, but you can help by knowing about them, sharing them, and pointing your family, friends, and loved ones in the right direction.

Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIPwindriver.org

Email: mmipwindriver@gmail.com

MMIP Wind River

MMIP Wind River Update: October 2025

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: So Many Reasons

As I've spoken with and interviewed victim survivors through the years, the question that is asked by so many of their friends and loved ones has been:

"Why did you stay? Why didn't you say something??"

I remember my own family saying that if they "had only known", they could have helped me. But there are many reasons why victims are silent:

• They're living under threat or ultimatums from their abuser. "If you tell anyone, I'll kill you..." or "If you tell anyone, I'll make your life and theirs a living hell."
• They have been isolated and might not know anyone in their neighborhood or town, or know if they could trust anyone who could listen to or help them. Plus, abusers often control who their victims can and cannot see or be friends with. 
• They're afraid that no one will believe them, because their abuser wears a different mask in public settings, or may be a respected person or public figure.
• They've been gaslighted so many times, they begin to think that they're the crazy ones.
• They're financially dependent on their abuser. They also may live in a "Stockholm-Syndrome" type of environment, where they've learned to accept the assault and abuse as normal, even to the point of defending their abuser (such as in the case of sex or human trafficking).
• They're ashamed and afraid. They may have been repeatedly humiliated, embarrassed, and broken...a lost sense of 'pride'.
  

There can be so many reasons why victims don't speak up, each unique to their own situation. Maybe they want to leave, but have no place to go...no safe place to live, no sustainability options. No house or apartment, no food, no job...or maybe they do have a job, but no child care or transportation to get to and from their job.

They fear just even thinking about their options. The feelings of hopelessness can overwhelm them to (on top of the abuse) suffer with depression, constant anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, fatigue, self-infliction...they can also get to the point of suicidal ideation, thinking that death would be better than living with their abuser.

Below I've listed some numbers for victims of domestic violence, but understand that victims might not call any number for as many reasons or all as listed above, or more! Maybe their phone has been taken away from them, or it's being tracked. So "see something, say something" definitely comes into play, but most of all...do something! Not just talking about doing something...actually do something to help. Check up on your neighbors, your friends, your loved ones. Don't be shy; ask the questions. Show that you care and can be trusted. Report if you know, suspect or see an incident in progress. Call 911.

Survivors know. That is why MMIP Wind River has been working with Frontier Ambulance and Tribal Victim Services in creating a private network of support specifically for victims of domestic violence, physical/sexual assault, and abuse. Real support. Local support, by people who will listen, will care, and help get them on the right road towards healing.

Domestic violence, assault, and abuse are at epidemic proportions in our tribes and border towns. Our first responders know this. It's important work that we ALL must do, every single day, when it comes to community safety. To learn more about how you can help and/or be a part of our local network, or if you would like us to give our presentation to your agency, group or organization, please call or text me at 307-855-5190 or email: mmipwindriver@gmail.com.

Don't just survive. Live. Heal. Thrive.

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator

MMIP Wind River
mmipwindriver.org

Permission for photo from Randy Tucker, County 10

National Indigenous Domestic Violence Hotline (NIDVH)

1-844-762-8483

StrongHearts Native Helpline

1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)

Domestic Violence Support Line

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Riverton Police Department Anonymous Tip Line

307-857-7755

MMIP Wind River Update: September 2025

The next MMIP Wind River meeting will be Monday, October 6 at 7PM via Zoom. You can request a Zoom link by emailing: mmipwindriver@gmail.com

National Night Out

MMIP Wind River, along with the Fremont County Law Enforcement Foundation and the American Red Cross, shared space at the Frontier Ambulance table at the National Night Out held in Riverton on August 5. Biggest thanks to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign for the materials for our section of the table. Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services were also present at the event. And again, thanks to Ron Howard for permission to use his artwork for our banner!

Victim Trauma Presentations & Talking Circles

MMIP, Frontier Ambulance, and Tribal Victim Services are continuing to develop our Victim Trauma Presentations and Talking Circles. This program is not publicized for the security and safety of the clients and survivors who attend and share their stories, but we welcome any and all providers, counselors, advocates, and liaisons who serve victims of domestic violence and assault to reach out to us to be included and contribute their resources and information, and attend the presentations. Email mmipwindriver@gmail.com to connect with us!

Spotlight: Not Our Native Daughters

We are often asked how people can donate to help MMIP individuals and families. As MMIP Wind River is not a 501c3, there are groups and organizations that can be trusted, where the funds donated will be managed properly and distributed to those in need. One of those organizations is Not Our Native Daughters. Their mission statement says it all: "To end the trafficking, exploitation and murder of Indigenous Persons through education, policy change, coalition-building and strengthening indigenous capacities to address the endemic violence."  They even have an online store where you can buy stickers, hoodies, t-shirts, gift cards, coffee mugs, and car decals. We know for a fact that the donations they receive truly do go to the victims and families who need it, and are used for exactly what their mission states. Thank you, NOND, for all you do!

__________________

I attended White Buffalo Recovery Services' Mending Broken Hearts program this month. I can tell you right now, it was one of the most powerful experiences I've had as far as targeting hurt, anger, grief, and pain that is often held deep inside. There were no judgments, no preconceived expectations...and the forgiving of self and others was a powerful way to push the "reset button" and let go of so much of the pain that I didn't even realize I had. Being among others who were going through their own trials and suffering helped immensely in knowing that I was not alone. Though it can be difficult to come to grips with the pain inside, the lessons I learned were very applicable and healing.

Mending Broken Hearts sessions are every other month, and I highly recommend signing up for the next one. We share White Buffalo's posts on our Facebook page, and will definitely keep you updated on when their next one will be.

Besides coordinating the Victim Trauma program, I have also been busy in training with the American Red Cross of Wyoming and recently attended the DAT Summit in Cheyenne. I've also taken Fremont County Prevention's Suicide Prevention First Aid course earlier this year. I want to thank Frontier Ambulance for giving me the support, time, and opportunity to attend these events and trainings so I can be more effective in helping and working with our tribes and the communities of Fremont County.

Most of all, I am most humbled by the stories of our victim-survivors of domestic violence. As a survivor myself, I remember when I felt very alone and didn't know who I could trust, not even my own family. I didn't know of any resources or support groups. I remember feeling ashamed and embarrassed, not wanting to reach out to anyone. Silence, I felt, was my only option. But not anymore.

This is why supporting the organizations that provide much-needed services and resources is so important to the element in our mission statement of strengthening collaboration. You are not alone. There are those who want to help, and would move heaven and earth for you, if they only knew. So don't be afraid to seek the help you need. Just speaking out is a very, very brave thing to do, so say something, not nothing!

Always feel free to reach out!

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator

MMIP Wind River

mmipwindriver.org

Email: mmipwindriver@gmail.com

MMIPWR Update: 'MMIP Monday' Meeting Update

We had our MMIP Monday meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025 and were pleased to have had a guest visitor Ellis Brehme from the University of Michigan. Ellis is researching the MMIP crisis under her primary investigator, Rebecca Irvine, PhD. They are in the process of creating a national database for missing Indigenous Persons cases through NamUs, state databases, and many other sources...tracking and pinpointing locations where Indigenous people consistently go missing. Their current objective is to collaborate and collect data so that those trends can be more identifiable in missing persons cases, with particular interest within the Wind River Reservation. 

We were also pleased to have Lynnette Grey Bull with Not Our Native Daughters and Cara Chambers with the Wyoming MMIP Task Force present; it was the perfect opportunity for collaboration, and to help Ellis with perspective and input as she undergoes research for her project.

The mission of Not Our Native Daughters is "to end the trafficking, exploitation, and murder of Indigenous Persons through education, policy change, coalition-building, and strengthening indigenous capacities to address the endemic violence." Lynnette reminded attendees that NOND is a 501c3, and that the organization provides support for the families that are and have been impacted by MMIP.

For more information about NOND, visit their website: https://notournativedaughters.org/about or visit their Facebook page.

Looking ahead...

The mission of MMIP Wind River is 1) Strengthening Collaboration, 2) Providing Resources, and 2) Improving Response. Out of this last meeting, it was determined that our pro-prevention focus will be targeted on these five issues:

1. Domestic Violence, Abuse & Assault
2. Alcohol & Drugs
3. Human/Child Trafficking, Involuntary Servitude

4. Bullying/Suicide Prevention

5. Victim Trauma

In our MMIP Monday meeting, and as also mentioned in Samuel Semadeni's presentation, it was voiced that the Wind River Reservation is very much at the point of increased-risk status in regard to human trafficking and child exploitation. This is due to the growing rate of runaway situations and solicitations via social media.

We do plan on having another Human Trafficking event/presentation, and hope to hold it at a location on the Wind River Reservation. Once planned, we will announce it on our Facebook page and website.

We also have EMTs with Frontier Ambulance who have developed a Victim Trauma program/presentation, which has already been a help to some women who have found themselves in compromising situations and need assistance or sensitive intervention.

Sometimes hearing the stories of those who have survived domestic violence, assault, abuse, or suicidal ideations can help DV victims as they start their journey towards safety and healing.  If you are a survivor of domestic violence, assault, or abuse, and would like to tell your story, email:

dvstory@mmipwindriver.org (your name can be changed to maintain confidentiality).

Since Monday July 7 is a part of a holiday weekend, the next 'MMIP Monday' will be on July 14 at 7 PM via Zoom. On the agenda will be a discussion on effective Messaging, an Open Floor for any DV survivors who would like to tell their story(ies), and a Roundtable discussion for any updates, reports, or upcoming events or activities relevant to the MMIP mission that your group or organization would like to share. Tell us what you're doing, and how we can support you!

Collaboration is key to providing information, education, and resources for our tribal and border town communities. MMIP Wind River is very pleased to support and partner with agencies and organizations such as Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services, Not Our Native Daughters, Fremont County Prevention Services, Frontier Ambulance, Fremont County Law Enforcement Foundation, as well as local and regional agencies, groups, volunteers, and individuals who participate and dedicate their own time to the MMIP movement.

Thank you all for your service!

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator

MMIP Wind River

MMIPWR Update: MMIP Task Force Meeting 5-12-2025

Carol Harper

I was able to get in on the tail end of the Wyoming MMIP Task Force meeting today and give a little update to everyone on what MMIP Wind River has in the works. I left some things out, but I'd like to add and share them with you here.

Report a Missing Person. We are trying to collect the names of all past and current missing and murdered loved ones through a form on our website. Please fill out this form so we can start gathering data organically.

  We also recognize the importance of respecting the wishes of family members should they want to keep their cases private and away from media attention. We still encourage you to fill out the form so we can assist you and/or supplement local law enforcement agencies and organizations with any updates that could be shared privately.

The Remember Project. This project is in partnership with Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services as a memorial/remembrance page on the MMIP website. The page is not published yet, but as soon as we finalize some details, we will announce it on our Facebook page.

Text to 911. We are looking into Text to 911 for the WRIR. Since this free service is through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it is important that we take the steps to establish it and utilize it. We will keep you updated on the progress.

Educational/informational presentations. As you know, we held our Human Trafficking presentations in Riverton and Lander, in partnership with Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services. We would like to have more of these types of educational presentations and Q&As on and off the reservation, as many agencies and first responders cover this region of Wyoming. Next on the list will be a Cultural Sensitivity presentation for first responders.

MMIP Mondays. We will be holding meetings on the 1st Monday of each month at 7:00 PM via Zoom. This gives people time to settle in, have dinner, and then participate or even just listen in. We'd like to keep these meetings under an hour in order to respect people's work schedules and family time.

   We value your input! Grassroots volunteerism is vital to the success of any group or organization, and none more critical than MMIP. So if you would like to know how you can help (even in small ways, because small ways build in big ways), please join the meetings, or email mmipwindriver@gmail.com to get on the list for updates.

We work with, partner with, and support Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services, the Northern Arapaho MMIP Tribal Liaisons, Not Our Native Daughters, the Wyoming MMIP Task Force, and other agencies and organizations that wish to connect and network in support of the MMIP initiatives which are: 1) Strengthening collaboration, 2) providing resources, and 3) improving response.

Human Trafficking Presentation (Slides)

Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services partnered with Frontier Ambulance and MMIP Wind River in a presentation given by Samuel Semendani in April at two events in Riverton and Lander, Wyoming, on the subject of human trafficking. Representation from the BIA, FBI, along with Riverton PD, Lander PD, Fremont County Sheriff's office, Search & Rescue, and Frontier Ambulance Paramedics and EMTs were in attendance.

For an audio recording of the presentation, email mmipwindriver@gmail.com, and an audio file of the presentation will be sent to you.

Below are the slides (in order) of the presentation. Very valuable information!

For more information on the Blue Campaign, visit: dhs.gov/blue-campaign

Biggest thanks to Samuel Semendani and Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services

and to Frontier Ambulance for hosting this presentation.

Regarding MMIP Wind River...

I recently noticed that there is a new MMIP group that has or is being formed. I would like to take a moment to give some background on this and set the record straight regarding MMIP Wind River, as I am sure that there will be an effect of confusion with the public.

In early March, I had shared the press release issued by the Northern Arapaho Business Council announcing the two newly appointed MMIP advocates, Dara Jefferson and Christie Wildcat. At the time, Nicole Wagon was one of the Facebook administrators of the MMIP Wind River Facebook page. After I had shared the post, Ms. Wagon took it down. I was going to share it again, but I knew that she would just take it down again. So I deleted her as a Facebook administrator and re-posted the release.

I was surprised to receive a (certified) letter on Thursday, March 20  from Ms. Wagon and others stating that if I didn’t turn over the MMIP website, Facebook page, and the rights to the MMIP Wind River logo, they would take legal action against me, that I had 72 hours to respond, and that “failure to comply within this timeframe will result in immediate legal action, including but not limited to:

• Filing a police report for unauthorized access and cybercrime under Wyoming state law

• Pursuing civil litigation for conversion, breach of contract, and damages.

• Reporting on the matter to domain registrars and social media platforms to reclaim our assets.”

I responded within four (4) hours of receipt of the letter. None of their threats were effective or enforceable, as a "contract" was non-existent, and I held the ownership and rights to all three assets. In short, I said that MMIP is for everyone, not just a choice few. I also said that the origins of MMIP Wind River began with the association and participation in the Wyoming MMIP Task Force, and that I was saddened that they resorted to threatening me rather than sitting down and talking with me.

They never responded back. Since then, several folks have made me aware of Ms. Wagon’s behavior and have learned that I’m not the only one who has been a target of her intimidating antics.

Bottom line through this whole experience? I will not be bullied.

The duplication of this "new" MMIP group is just one example of what is not only troubling our tribe, but the entire country…creating division instead of unity, confusion instead of clarity, hindering instead of helping, being critical instead of considerate, exclusive instead of inclusive. What is even worse…bullying is the exact opposite of what MMIP is about! In fact, those things are at the very root of the problems and defeat the purpose of what the tribes of this nation and the world are trying to achieve with the MMIP movement.

We should be welcoming the seats at our tables, not excluding and bullying people out of them. MMIP is not a clique, club, or gang. It is not about one person’s story, but all stories. MMIP is you, is me, is everyone. It is about standing with and recognizing all who are and have been affected by crime and violence. It is about working together, standing together, helping each other...not being duplicitous and tearing each other apart.

I am saddened that Ms. Wagon chose to act out of spite instead of in a spirit of togetherness and solidarity. I am saddened that she reacted by digging her heels in, rather than walking down a path towards understanding and healing. I wish that Ms. Wagon wouldn’t minimize, discredit, or dismiss the time and resources that I and several others spent as volunteers in helping her with past MMIP marches and events. I wish that Ms. Wagon had the courage to communicate with me directly and in a more positive manner, instead of threatening, backbiting, and gossiping…all things that are not respectful nor conducive towards or definitive of the spirit of MMIP.

I don’t have a loved one who has been missing or murdered.  I ache and pray constantly for those who grieve the loss of their loved ones, including Ms. Wagon and her daughters. But what I can say is that I myself am a survivor of domestic violence and suicide, and I have many friends and family members who are also survivors of abuse, violence, and sexual assault. I work in an industry where our EMTs care for victims of violence and abuse, and I know how those types of calls affect them. Crime and violence are at the very root of the MMIP problem, and those are the things and people that need to be targeted, not those who are trying to help!

Given this, my approach for MMIP is about pro-prevention, education, effective and organized “boots on the ground” operations, and healing resources for the families of victims. I am about working with Tribal Victim Services, supporting the tribal-appointed MMIP advocates, and partnering with law enforcement agencies, groups, and organizations that have the resources to help achieve these goals and objectives. I am about being inclusive, not exclusive in this effort…those who truly know me (not spread gossip about me) know that I am and have always been about good teamwork. I am fortunate enough to be a part of several boards and organizations that understand and embrace that concept.

Ms. Wagon, you still have a seat at the MMIP Wind River table, whether in the capacity of just yourself or this new group you’re forming. Whether you choose to or not to work with MMIP Wind River is completely your choice, but know that we value teamwork and positive, productive partnerships and associations in order to accomplish our goals. Gossip, bullying, obtrusiveness, and disrespect will no longer be tolerated. Those who resort to those tactics are no better than the ones who perpetrate the crimes that we speak out against.

Be better, not bitter.

Carol Harper

MMIP Wind River

UPDATE: Since the posting of this blog piece, there have been several questions. Answers are below:

Q: Why did you take away MMIP Wind River from Nicole Wagon?

A: We did not take away MMIP from Ms. Wagon. If anything, Ms. Wagon took MMIPWR away and refused to give it back. So we took it back. As was said, MMIP is for everyone.

Q: Why are you fighting with each other? We all be working together.

A: Agreed and again, MMIP is for everyone, not just a choice few. We have included a link for Ms. Wagon's group on the MMIPWR website and have shared her event on Facebook. We do not discount Ms. Wagon's history and efforts in the MMIP movement; awareness and visibility are very important. But we all shared roles and responsibilities in the cause, and yes, we should all be working together and partnering together. The problem that started this whole thing was Ms. Wagon's approach and threat against MMIPWR and disrespect shown for the Northern Arapaho MMIP tribal-appointees. This is counter-productive behavior and has no place in the spirit of the MMIP movement.

Q: Why does MMIP 307 say it's a new name?

A. It's a new group formed by Ms. Wagon. We don't discount her own mission of visibility and awareness. However, MMIP Wind River does still exist. Our goals and objectives are more geared for pro-preventative and solutions-oriented efforts. Both missions are important.

Their claim as being "A new name, the same fierce mission' in the context of their group replacing MMIP Wind River, this is simply untrue. MMIPWR is still alive and active. This is why we are making this clarification, not in the spirit of division and perpetuating the very problems that MMIP contends with every day. Their approach to stifle others' efforts and contributions to the MMIP is clearly not conducive to the spirit of the movement. In fact, it is counter-productive.

Q: What are you doing for MMIP and how can I help?

A. Please visit our website for updates, information, and announcements. We know that folks want to be involved, but don't have a lot of time to dedicate. But there are also many who do, and we want to help in providing opportunities throughout the year for education, pro-prevention and volunteerism.

Q: Can I have my own MMIP event, and would MMIP Wind River help me?

A. Absolutely! We are all about partnerships and the promotion of any efforts by individuals or organizations that are supportive of the MMIP mission. Visit our website for more information.

Q: Is MMIP a part of Wind River Cares?

A. No. MMIP partners with Wind River Cares Tribal Victim Services and other agencies and organizations that will work together in pro-prevention, education, and assisting in providing resources that are helpful and relevant to the worldwide MMIP movement.

Q: Nicole did a lot of work, and now you just took it away from her, and that's not right.

A: Yes, NIcole has done a lot of work on MMIP and continues to do so with her new group, MMIR307. After she deleted the press release, it was clear that Nicole did not want to work with the new tribal MMIP appointees. As was stated, they chose another route and decided to threaten me through a certified letter (and most recently, the police). This is all a very unfortunate course of events, as I would have gladly sat down and talked with all of them about MMIPWR and worked together, and I told them this in my response to them. But it was clear that they didn't want to work with me, either. That I will work with the MMIP appointees and partner with others is a good thing. I am passionate about pro-prevention, victim trauma, and educating the public about the reasons why people go missing and/or are murdered. Nicole is passionate about activism and connecting with families who have fallen victim to injustice. Both missions are important. There is no reason why we cannot all work together. I believe that is what's right.

MMIPWindRiver.org