MMIP Wind River: MMIP Wind River Update - May 5, 2026: Another Day

YouTube: MMIP Wind River - Another Day

Today is MMIP Awareness Day. Another day pouring a cup of coffee (or three) and off to work or school. Another day of meetings. Another day of governing tribes, counties, cities, and towns. Another day of business as usual. It is yet another day dealing with the problems in front of us...on our desks, in our classrooms, in our shops and restaurants, in our offices, our agencies, our stations, in courts and council chambers.

But what about those who dread another day?

Another day in my life? I wake up early, pour a cup of coffee, get ready for work, and head to the ambulance station. I look at my calendar and an ever-growing task list (and make more coffee). I converse with the crews, ask them how the night went. Some will talk about it; others may not. Some may come into my office and shut the door. A 'normal' day for them isn't anything like a normal day for anyone else. What is another day for a first responder?

I pray in silence as I settle in and start reading their reports, preparing myself for a range of emotions from utter sadness to outright anger. By the time I'm done, I have to get up, take some deep breaths, and go for a walk. The accidents, the illnesses, the substance abuse and overdoses, the aftermath of crime and violence...the magnitude of the burdens that our first responders shoulder every day and night is a whole lot to process. At the end of the day, a big part of my heart, mind, and soul is drained by loads of compassion fatigue. And at the end of my day, I plop on the couch and try to relax and regroup. But the question continues to weigh on my mind:

What about those who are dreading another day?

If you know, you know.

I have (collectively) worked in the health care industry for about 12 years and, bound by HIPAA laws, confidentiality is critical for the safety and protection of patients. Though an essential part of my job, it is still very difficult for me, knowing the things that happen 24/7 in our county and tribes. There is a burden in just knowing. More walks, more cleansing breaths. I have a Kleenex box nearby.

But then...I also know that everyone knows! Unless you live under a rock or in a cave, everyone is very well aware through local and social media of the problems and great hurts that happen. Most folks read the obituaries, the arrest logs, news articles and posts...gossip and fenceposts aside, people are pretty well informed these days. The posts I share with many of our MMIP partners prove that there is no shortage of awareness.

However, there is an entire underworld that so many do not see or witness on a day-to-day basis that either gets swept under the rug or put out of mind because we tend to think: "Not my home. Not my neighborhood. Not my town. Not my little corner of the world." Or, some might tend to think that what they or others do is none of anyone else's business...and the accidents, crimes, violence, abuse, assaults, and suicides continue.

What about those who dread another day?

The Silent Killers.

We may go about living our lives in our own bubbles...being somewhat aware, but not really care. Don't want to get involved; don't want to create waves or stir the drama pot. Or, maybe we live in fear of retribution or retaliation if we report anything. Or maybe we're apathetically silent. We're siloed by the bubbles we create for ourselves, which is a problem in and of itself, because when those bubbles become infected and burst, fear escalates to reality, and drama becomes trauma.

Silence can be a killer. How? By seeing or knowing something and remaining silent. By witnessing assault or abuse, and remaining silent. By remaining silent because you think they deserve it. Victims are silent because of trauma and fear. Victims are silent because they don't want to get into trouble, or rat out their abusers/assailants. Maybe they are bullied to the point of despair because no one believes them. Maybe they're threatened into silence; maybe they're paid to be silent. Maybe they are silent because they dwell in a prison of the mind, and cannot explain their hurt, anxiety, and pain.

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.

It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.

It is the little shadow that runs across the grass

and loses itself in the sunset."

Crowfoot, Blackfoot Warrior

Right Where We Stand

Our theme for MMIP this month is "Right Where We Stand", meaning...there is a whole lot you can do, right where you are, no matter where you are on any given day. And believe me, I get it...we're busy! We've got jobs to do, businesses to run, schedules to keep. But if we aren't mindful about our steps through our daily journeying, we can forget to care. If we are neglectful and blind to the sufferings of others, we cannot say we are truly connected as a tribe or community. If we are not a part of the MMIP solutions, we become a part of the problems.

Here's are some things you can do, right where you stand:

Be aware of The Nouns. People, places and things. The people you see, meet or greet. Be aware of your surroundings/environment (for first responders, it's called assessing your scene). Watch. Listen to your gut. If something doesn't feel or look right, or if you know something...

Call a tipline. In Wyoming, you can call SafeToTell, 1-844-WYO-SAFE (996-7233). Riverton PD has an anonymous tip line, 307-857-7755. Put those numbers in your phone. It could be nothing...but it could be something, too. Even the littlest bit of info can help solve big cases. It's been done. You don't have to get into stalker-mode (and I certainly wouldn't advise it), but notifying the proper authorities with what can be pertinent information can help...especially when there can be roadblocks and bottlenecks in broken and failing systems where agencies are understaffed and underfunded.

Online tip submissions. Maybe you're homebound, or you're on a laptop or tablet a lot. MMIP Wind River's website has a page with a listing of various links where you can submit a tip to the FBI, BIA, Wyoming Missing Persons, NamUs, the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and more. Just click on any one of those white/red buttons and it will lead you to their corresponding pages for information on how to submit your tips.

Be aware of online platforms. Social media, video games, dating sites, and job sites are used as grooming tools that lure victims into danger zones. The highest risk group of trafficking is 12-17 year olds (and yes, there are younger); the average age of first exploitation is ages 14-16. Young adults: ages 19-34. Be aware of these sites and platforms; teach your children and teens to be aware. Familiarize and know the apps they are frequenting. (I've provided some information below) Limit online and screen time. Most of all, never let your child or teen go anywhere to "just hang out" or meet up with someone you don't know. You are the adult; the parent/caregiver...do not relinquish your parental control to anyone. You can say no, and it's not 'being mean', it's being protective.

Support organizations such as Not Our Native Daughters, who have programs such as the MMIP Family Support & Liaison Assistance Fund and the Indigenous Youth Voices Program. Organizations such as these are like 'second responders' when it comes to addressing the needs and aiding our families and relatives. Support organizations such as the Fremont County Law Enforcement Foundation, who help our county's law enforcement agencies with the equipment, tools, and trainings they need to do their jobs effectively, despite the funding and staffing deficits. See? Solutions already exist.

Ask how someone is doing today. Not just in passing because you're busy and want to be polite. Stop what you're doing and be genuinely kind and caring. Some may respond with that four-letter "f" word ("I'm fine.")...but let's be honest, haven't most of us said we're "fine" when we might actually be hurting or screaming inside?

Sincerely listen to their response (eyes up, put your phone away). Listen to the tone of their voice, observe their demeanor. Ask if there is anything you can do to help, but don't get tunnel vision and just spill out advice from the get-go. Let them do the talking. Most of the time, people just need to be genuinely listened to. Some may have trust issues or afraid to say anything. Some may not ready to take those next steps in seeking help. Give them your card or phone number. Follow up if you can.

Realize that maybe you were the only light or hope they had experienced that day. Knowing that there was just one person who cared enough to reach out to them and simply ask, "How are you doing?" can make all the difference in another day.

Carol Harper