MMIP Wind River - October 2026: More Than Just Aware

I was told after a meeting I had recently attended that I'm a "passionate person"...more specifically: "I appreciate people with passion."  That word, "passion" can be defined in both word and deed. A person could be a passionate speaker or writer...or another could be actively passionate through their daily work and actions with hope in bringing about improvement and change. Or an entire team could all be passionate about a vision, mission, and goals to quantifiably make a difference.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it was a year ago (Oct 2025) when I posted my blog piece "Domestic Violence: So Many Reasons." I won't share stats, numbers or data applicable to domestic violence...but if those numbers haven't changed much since last year's awareness month, or if things aren't any better or are more worse for victims...how much more passion and drive does it take, or how much more time will go by before we see a difference in those numbers, or have the ability to develop effective solutions that are conducive to real change?

Will it take yet another year?

More Than Just Aware

There are things that go much deeper than social media messaging, awareness campaigns, events, marches/walks, etc. There are things that go much deeper than just knowing the stats. Not saying that those things aren't important as well, but if the people in our tribes and communities are not actively seeking help and changing abusive environments and behaviors...if victims are not reporting or getting out of unhealthy relationships and familial dynamics...if law enforcement, victim services, and penal systems aren't making critical changes or improvements...what can we realistically expect in the year(s) ahead?

Being aware is important, but so is active participation in the solutions. And if we are honest about it, we already know how DV affects the lives of our children and families. We already know the climates and problems that cause and escalate into domestic violence. We already know the numbers and statistics. So if we've been aware, there would be corresponding actions that would reflect a change in behavior(s), a change in relationships and dynamics, a change in the systems...and we'd actually see and experience a more positive "climate change" in the health and safety of our homes, neighborhoods, schools, tribes and communities.

Wyoming's statutes define domestic abuse as: physical abuse, threats, unreasonable restraint, fear of imminent harm, and coerced sexual activity between 'household members' (spouses, cohabitants, dating partners, parents, and co-parents). Associated consequences are: Domestic Assault & Battery (misdemeanor), Strangulation of a Household Member (felony or high misdemeanor), Simple Assault & Battery (misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment (misdemeanor), Aggravated Assault and Battery (felony) and False Imprisonment/Felonious Restraint (misdemeanor or felony).

The scenarios that lead to domestic violence and assault can be a bit complicated as we try to peel back the layers...from the surface down to the core. Most of the time, many will never see or know the core, but we know where it starts. It starts with us. It starts in the home, with families, siblings, relatives, and relationships. It starts in schools, with teasing, bullying, jealousy, judgment. It starts with addiction; alcohol, drugs, gambling. It starts with the impacts of economic and financial hardship. And unfortunately, it's also all of the above that affects our children, youth, and elders who witness, experience, and are traumatized by it.

Beyond the awareness factor, getting that reality check and being honest about domestic violence is a good first step forward, then...

Do the Thing: Report

See something? Know something? Say something! Reporting is an action step that peels off another layer and gets us closer towards finding viable solutions to all of the above. But nothing will happen if something isn't reported. MMIP Wind River has a Reporting and Tip Lines page with a whole list of tabs, links, and ways to report, even anonymously. And of course, the fastest way to report? Call 911.

There are always events and activities happening that can help us to not only be aware, but get those core understandings on the issues of domestic violence, assault, trafficking, and MMIP. Below are just a few that are happening soon.

Attend. Participate. Ponder. Sign up. Take notes. Support.

Let's not let another year go by. Be aware. Be honest. Do the thing. Never lose hope. Find healing. We can make a difference; we can reach out and make change. There are ways to get beyond the fear and hurt in order to develop better pathways towards healing ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods, our tribes, and our communities.

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator

MMIP Wind River

MMIPWindRiver.org

MMIP Wind River September 2026: The Missing Among Us

I spoke briefly during the last Riverton City Council, after the Suicide Prevention Month proclamation was read. As I stood before them, I told them I wished I could tell them the number of suicides/suicidal ideation calls that our EMTs respond to on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. I couldn't tell them because of confidentiality and protocols, but: "...what I can tell you is that they are numbers you would not like to hear."  And that there are names...lives...connected and associated with those numbers.

I've sat in on the Suicide Prevention Task Force for a while now, and now as their newest board member, my approach and focus on all things prevention is being mindful of two things that everyone needs: Hope and healing. In a cruel, unforgiving world, these two things can be very difficult to find...switching the conversations from a stigmatized issue which is uncomfortable to talk about, to caring about the response and delivery of these two things for those who desperately need them. Most of all, having the resources and people who can show the way from despair to hope, from hope to healing...towards a meaningful, healthy Life.

But how bad does it have to get?

What are some of the things that cause one to contemplate suicide? Victims of domestic violence may get to a point to where they just can't take it anymore...for me, I believed that death would've been better than living in my abusive situation. How bad does it have to get, how far does it have to go until one is faced with that choice?

There are victims of bullying who can feel that same way. The teasing, the goading, the ridicule, the gaslighting, the gossip...how bad does it have to get before a kid, a teenager, an adult...thinks they're stupid or ugly, or beat down to feelings of despair and worthlessness?

There are victims of substances that can skew a person's mental state to where their baseline normal is so messed up, the only thing that makes them "feel good" is alcohol (a depressant) or drugs. Their addictions constantly lie to them...then they deal with feelings of regret and self-loathing. How bad does it have to get before those temporary "fixes" destroy the body, and the mind becomes a hopeless, dark prison?

There are victims of trafficking who are groomed and stuck in a state of Stockholm Syndrome, where use and abuse, sex, crime, violence is the only the life they know and becomes their norm. How bad does it have to get before trafficking becomes tolerated or acceptable to people and communities that might know or unknowingly host and hide those sick individuals who buy women, children, and teens, online or on the black market?

There are victims of the economy, who try to make it in a thankless, unsustainable job...barely or unable to pay rent, utilities, or even food. Maybe they're jobless, homeless, or have to live in their car, or can't even afford the gas to put into it. Maybe they have kids, and can't afford child care. Maybe on the outside they try to maintain their dignity, but on the inside they might feel worthless, exhausted by the constant one step forward, five steps back. How bad does it have to get before they're backed against a wall, and they stop stepping altogether?

There are victims who are a combination of all of the above. They become the Missing Among Us...they're not invisible; they're right under our very noses.

How bad does it have to get before society lifts up the rugs to uncover the realities and truths about those who are helpless and hurting in prisons unseen? We can sweep it all under the rug, thinking: "Not my problem. They're the ones that made bad choices, they're the ones that got themselves into their own mess, they're the ones who chose to be where they are. They must like it there, or they wouldn't be there...why should I do anything for them?"

And, there it is. That's how bad it gets...when people stop caring, they become a part of the problem. They become the bullies of the bullied, perpetrators of the abused, the dealers, the sellers and buyers, the dark guards of the mind prisons. They become the feared of the fearful, not the hope for the hopeful.

So what does it take? It takes time and people. Time for the people who do care, enough to guide and encourage, bring hope and healing to those who are hurting. There are reasons why some people make it a career path in the fields of criminal justice, counseling, mentorship, and advocacy. There are reasons why people invest their time to volunteer with groups and organizations who are not afraid to have those difficult conversations, do the hard things, lift the rugs, and shed some streams of light into those dark, hopeless tunnels. And it's not just their job to care; it's their mission and passion to care!

We have two months ahead of us, back-to-back: September for Suicide Prevention Month, and October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. There are good people involved in so many groups and organizations who take the time to care about these two critical issues that exist everywhere. I make it a point to share their posts on MMIP Wind River's Facebook as much as possible, and I hope that everyone can show support for them by either donating or volunteering towards what we're all passionate about.

Because together we all care enough to make it our mission to lift the rugs, shed light in the tunnels, and be the guides towards Hope and Healing. And then...

They're alone...until they're not, anymore.

They cry...until they don't, anymore.

They heal...until they're strong again.

They live.

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIP Wind River

MMIP Wind River - August 2026

It's been a rough summer, and my focus has been mainly been on our ambulance services and the 3/4-cent sales tax on the ballot coming up on August 18. A lot of work has been done under the Fremont County Association of Governments (FCAG) and the Regional Ambulance Service Evaluation Committee, of which I was in an advisory capacity. As I've been also continuing my work in Emergency Management and Victim Trauma over the past couple of years, I've learned the importance of how partnerships, collaboration, and teamwork greatly contribute to the success of a project...and also how also hindrance, apathy, and resistance can halt progress.

It's a lot of work to get to the juncture between vision and reality, and now with joint powers under FCAG with Tribal representation, I can now look forward with a better hope in building and securing the future of EMS in Fremont County and the WRIR.

The EMS industry is a tough one to be in. All first response agencies have their challenges, but it takes a very special person to be an EMT. Not everyone can stomach the kinds of calls or scenes they come upon. My biggest passion and focus has been on victim trauma, more specifically...what happens when a victim survivor leaves the hospital after abuse, assault, a mental health breakdown, or a suicide attempt. Those first 24 hours are the most critical, and to try to fill those gaps in care - from the exit doors of the ER to what's next - are the most crucial periods of time that can lack attention and awareness, because fear and trauma lingers long after the damage has been done.

Do they have a family or loved ones to care for them? Do they have a safe place to go, or will they be homeless and alone? Will they go back into the abusive relationship or environment because it's all they've known? Will they try to get the help they need, are there effective programs and resources in place? Will they attempt suicide again? Or will they go missing and never be seen again?

All of these questions constantly weigh heavily on my mind. And over these past few years I have been grateful for programs and organizations such as White Buffalo Recovery, Fremont County Prevention Services, UprisingWyo, Not Our Native Daughters, Doya Natsu, the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign, WyoFind, Red Cross of Wyoming, Victim Services, Fremont County Alliance, and many more...where I can amplify their messaging and build those collaborative partnerships which are so critical for victim survivors.

Partnerships, collaboration, and teamwork...all contributors to the success and building of what is so very needed in our agencies, schools, workplaces, tribes, and communities.

I will be a presenter at the Native American Education Conference at CWC on Wednesday and Thursday this week, August 12 & 13. My presentation is entitled: Your Life Matters, Your Voice Matters, Your Future Matters. The conference is free, but you have to register (click here for the form).

As I've taken MMIP Wind River in the direction of pro-prevention, my continuing hope is that more awareness can be derived from within the spirit. It starts with ourselves, it starts with our families, it starts with our children and youth, and it starts with our students as they aspire to become who they are today, and discover who they will be in shaping the future.

Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIP Wind River

MMIP Wind River, July 2026: Words, Respect, and Trust Matters

There has been a lot of unrest in our tribe lately. I've been getting flack lately about Foundations for Nations, and how MMIP Wind River had once been trying to collaborate with them. I had responded in the Northern Arapaho Tribe's (private) Facebook group. Here is what I commented:

I've met Sarah, and at first, I was impressed with what she had done. I was trying to find a place where I could hold some support groups, and took a tour of her church. We even held one meeting to try it out. Then I got word about child assault (molestation?) and I pulled the plug and cut off all communication. If you are giving safe haven for criminals and basically providing them a playground, that speaks volumes, not only about the kind of person you are, but about how a church turns a blind eye to what's actually happening within its walls. Someone mentioned trafficking?? I was not aware of anything like that, and I don't know how anyone could get any proof, but I wouldn't be surprised. Churches and non-profit organizations are trafficking fronts all the time. There was a survivor of trafficking that spoke at the Uprising Conference in Billings in April. She was trafficked by a faith-based organization, travelled all over the world! Wolves in sheep's clothing.

I have blocked Foundations for Nations from MMIP Wind River's social media. They are not welcome and most certainly unworthy of collaboration of any type. It would be a major conflict of interest, and the complete opposite of the mission of MMIP.

My main concern is for any child, youth, adult, or elder that may have been victims of any type of crime. If you feel comfortable coming forward (or if you haven't already done so), please go to Tribal Victim Services and have everything documented through them. That way there is privacy and confidentiality. (If you need a ride, let me know.)

Those who used Foundations for Nations as a predatory location for such crimes? They should also be banned from the tribe and justice should be sought for any and all victims. Again, I cannot prove that trafficking existed, but I think the matter should be further examined.

Words matter. Respect matters. Trust matters. Protecting our children and families is paramount to anything. Spiritual, emotional, and mental abuse is real. Those types of crimes are and can be unseen, but the effects are real. What Foundations for Nations has done is destroyed all respect and trust with their words. They cannot take them back; they have been spoken, and you cannot change history. The anger and hurt continues to be real for all Native tribes across the country. Poke the bear? Irritate the bison? You cannot change the consequences of your actions.

Lastly, to the few tribal members who have been unkind and badmouth me: You don't know me. Those who do know me, know who my family and relatives are (and if you knew who my great-grandfather was, you might think twice before disparaging me). Those who work with me every day in EMS know the kind of person I am and how much I desire to help my tribe and community in every way possible. But if you listen to those who gossip and whisper in your ears, that's on you. Gossip is the language of cowards, and only speaks volumes about the people who speak it and spread it. It is hurtful, and only creates more division. Again...words matter.

And please, if I myself have ever wronged or offended anyone in any way (I don't think I have, but I never know), come to me and talk to me directly about it, face to face, so we can work it out and we can both have some peace. Or you can message me on Facebook, and I'll be glad to set the record straight for you. Truth matters.

I hope we can all be better people and united in a battle that has continued to be real for centuries on end. We already have good people and resources within our tribes to draw from, and the support from other tribes across the nation as well. May that encourage us as we move forward!

Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIP Wind River

For those interested, I will be a presenter at the 2026 Wyoming Native American Education Conference at CWC, August 12-13. The title of my presentation is: Your Life Matters, Your Voice Matters, Your Future Matters.