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:
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
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