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I believe in teamwork, and one of the things I love about where I live is that there are some great people in our communities, agencies, and organizations who share that same belief. You just have to find the right people who are doing the right things for the right reasons, with the right attitude(s). When you have those elements, great things are in store, and progress happens.
At the Wyoming MMIP Task Force's Winter MMIP Community Meeting on December 3, I provided an update on the projects and events MMIP Wind River has developed and been involved with over the past year. Our main projects and outreach have been on the issues of Human Trafficking, Victim Trauma (assault, domestic violence, etc.), and Suicide Prevention. I've met some wonderful people along the way, doing amazing things. These are the unsung heroes who are doing great work, boots on the ground, right where they stand.
My approach this year has been to research and be a part of what is already in place and already working...but to also be able to take some steps back and look at where the bottlenecks might be. Funding and board/staff cuts can impede progress. Sometimes there is a lack of support and resources. Waiting lists, weeks/months out, for key services. Breaking and broken systems can allow the problems to continue, wrought with a history of ineffective solutions. There is a lack of communication and inaccessibility to leaders who are assigned the responsibility(ies) to achieve important tasks that can often fall between the cracks, or are hung up in the status quo. And there are also people and powers-that-be that don't want to see you succeed in battling the beasts that plague our tribes and border towns. Last of all, there are so many who are living in fear...fear of criminals and offenders, fear of being on the edge of hopelessness, fear of taking those fragile steps into the unknown, not knowing if they'll live or die.
Addressing these bottlenecks can be discouraging and frustrating, and sometimes it feels like you're taking three steps forward, five steps back. But in the middle of it all, you find like-minded, encouraging people who have a great desire to help and partner. Even then, you might find yourself going three steps forward, one step back...but hey, at least that's progress!
The key is to believe and never give up. Find your tribe, find your circle. Approach with respect and compassion. Have the mindset of encouraging each other, lifting each other up. Don't divide and tear others down to build yourself up. If you do that, you become a part of the problem, not the solution. Because the wider the divide, the more difficult it is to make an impact and solve the very problems we speak out about.
Listen. Learn. Love. Grow...across the borders.
One of the things I hold fast to is that MMIP is for everyone. Even with the disproportionate amount of crime on reservations across the nation, the incidents that can lead up to MMIP are not discriminating by race, color, gender, religion, etc., and our EMTs and Paramedics that serve Fremont County and the WRIR know this and see it every day. Alcohol and substance abuse-related crimes, domestic violence and assaults, bullying, physical and mental health issues that can lead to suicidal ideations? I know I repeat this a lot, but the truth is, it's everywhere, in every area, community, town, and city. We can't turn a blind eye to it because these are the beasts that need to be conquered from within, and it starts with each one of us, regardless of race or what side of the border we live on.
For us to be effective in the MMIP cause, we need to take the time to find healing within our own selves, so we can use our experiences for the good of others. Because if we don't truly deal with the demons that hold us bound, all the messaging in the world about MMIP would be in vain, and it just becomes a lot of noise...where we barely exist behind masks that hide the hurt, grief and anger; perpetuatie the division, or where we become a clanging noise that drowns out the sweet singing and pulsing beats of our Mother Earth, the source of Life.
There are many resources available to begin the healing. White Buffalo Recovery, Fremont County Prevention Services, Fremont Alliance, Eagles Hope, Not our Native Daughters...these organizations and programs already exist to serve across borders, and yes...some of them struggle with the problems I mentioned above. They might be underfunded, understaffed, or struggling to survive, trying to repair or maintain their existence. But that doesn't mean we ever give up; it means we step up! We support, encourage, and build because we see the need in our own selves and in others.
It also doesn't mean we'll never be discouraged and slip back a few steps. But with these existing programs and circles that have the right people doing the right things for the right reasons with the right attitudes, we can listen to these cheerleaders who are in our corners, learn how to trust and love again, grow and build bridges...and all the while, be stronger for it.
If you would like to be a part of a team that is about strengthening collaboration, providing resources, and improving response - our MMIP mission and vision - please feel free to reach out to me at mmipwindriver@gmail.com. I would love to meet with you and talk about how you can help, right where you stand.
Prayers going up for a New Year filled with hope and strength of spirit...even against the odds!
Strengthening Collaboration.
Providing Resources.
Improving Response.
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