MMIP Wind River: It's Not Funny, It's Tragic

It's been extremely difficult to find the words about the recent tragedy claiming the lives of two cherished tribal members. The shock and trauma that has surged throughout our Tribe has been devastating. My heart greatly aches, and my most sincere condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Heart shattering. Life shattering.

But oh, I have plenty to write about alcohol. As my heart beats throughout the grief process and skips from shock to downright anger, I look at all of the efforts of so many people, programs, organizations, agencies, and task forces who have dedicated their time and prevention work on alcohol/substance abuse and impaired driving. Incidents like this one make me wonder, has their work been in vain? Why does it have to be this tragedy, this wake-up call for people to finally realize that the demon of alcohol is out of control and plaguing our tribes and communities?

This is what I mean by the awareness and action factors. Sure, there is plenty of awareness. But when it comes to actual responsibility and accountability...?

From time to time, I've seen posts on the Northern Arapaho Tribe's Facebook group...some folks joking around about "Per Cap-Red Cap" day, or "BYOB" (beer) to a pow wow or event. Listen up: It wasn't funny then and it's not funny now. Alcohol is an abuser and a murderer. You think our EMTs want to keep on arriving on-scene of yet another assault, battery, stabbing, shooting, or suicide attempt due to alcohol/substance abuse? You think they want to see another seizing child or teenager in the back of their ambulance? You think they want to see an infant being born with fetal alcohol syndrome? You think they want to watch patients slowly die of cirrhosis, liver disease, or other chronic organ failures? Do you think our EMS crews are laughing at the sh** they have to see and deal with every day? I was in an ambulance coming back from a standby event in Dubois, and we were behind a drunk driver swerving and driving completely in the other lane...the oncoming car had to pull off onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on!

Think again. It's not funny...it's sad, tragic, and infuriating!

If you want to know the truth about your tribe or community, ask a first responder!

Vehicular Homicide is Murder

The next DUI Task Force meeting is in July, and I still may not be able to find the words to say, but then again, I won't have to. As we all will look at the stats and data presented to us (of which this incident will surely be a part of)...actual solutions continue to be tried and challenged while our communities are still at the mercy of those who drink and drive. It is murder! They choose to drink themselves into oblivion and get behind the wheel of a car. Being that the penal systems are already breaking and broken...and though I'm satisfied that the charge was vehicular homicide (not vehicular manslaughter)...is that enough, given the amount of repeat offenders? Accidents just waiting to happen? Trafficking groomers use "free" alcohol and drugs to entice their already-addicted victims, enticing them to proceed down roads of darkness and death. In my opinion, that's attempted murder!

A driver's license is a privilege, not a right. My rationale is that, if you've been charged with a DUI the first time, there should be a stiff probation period and the license should be suspended until the conditions of rehab/soberness are met before they ever get behind the wheel of any vehicle ever again. But a second time? That's it, they're done! A lengthy prison sentence and no driver's license for the rest of their lives (I could go futher as to require that there should be a condition of soberness for our elected officials, but that's an unrealistic expectation.) And those who sell alcohol should also have a huge responsibility to their communities. (Hey, if you don't feel like voting for the 3/4-cent that supports the ambulance service, how about an indefinite alcohol tax?)

Who is listening? Who will join in the fight against the beasts that continually stalk and prowl around our homes, streets, neighborhood, schools? MMIP Wind River is about the root causes of the missing and murdered, but this is one that continually plagues us, right in our faces! What's it going to take? Another death? I hope and pray that what we've presently experienced will make a lasting impression about the future of alcohol and substance abuse in Wyoming. It is time...past time...to deal with this critical issue.

And if you have a problem with alcohol, get help NOW! Today, this minute. Go to the programs that Wind River Cares and White Buffalo have to offer. Go to an AA or Celebrate Recovery meeting. There are people who care! I'm one of them, and I know there are many, many people...both seen and unseen...who also know and care about the severity of this problem, and are dedicated to helping wherever and whenever they can in dealing with the beasts, both seen and unseen.

It begins with one step forward...for all of us.

Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIPWindRiver.org

From Memorial To The Loved Ones We Have Lost to Alcohol or Drugs

MMIP Wind River Update, June 2026 ~ On Victim Trauma & Healing

Disasters and tragedies happen in our tribes and border towns, every day. The messaging that is generated and shared by MMIP Wind River are about awareness and prevention: Awareness of the issues and problems, and the efforts by who come together and provide resources and services to guide towards hope and healing and who care about the state of our communities and tribes. It can be a collective mindset, and my two main areas of focus on the subject of victim trauma are derived from disasters (man-made or natural) and crime-related incidents.

But what is victim trauma? By definition: Profound physical, emotional, and psychological response to a distressing event or crime. It overwhelms a person’s ability to cope, and affects their safety, mental well-being, and daily functioning. Victim trauma can be found in all cases of emergencies and disasters, and our first responders are trained in how to help and treat those who are affected and suffering. House fires, wildfires, floods, vehicle accidents, the impact or aftermath of crime and violence...the immediate to first 24-48 hours are the most critical.

After the breaking news and social media posts diminish, and life and 'business-as-usual' resumes and we go about our daily lives...we can often get complacent and have the attitude of "Well, that will never happen to me or my family or friends." My own life experiences, along with education and trainings in both EMS and with the Red Cross continually show me that when you wake up in the morning, you never know how a day will go or end. Disaster and crime can happen to anyone at any time, in any place.

One missing person might not seem like the definition of a disaster to some folks...but it most certainly is to the families and loved ones affected and traumatized, the ripple effects continuing on for the rest of their lives. Sometimes those who survive it didn't choose it. You cannot dismiss the shock, suffering, loss, and the grief of the trauma experience.

Surviving to Healing...

Life is never the same after a disaster or traumatic experience. It's hard to know what to say to someone after a tragedy strikes, as shock and grief affects everyone differently. And often the survivors don't really want to have conversations about the 'stages of grief', or hear the passive "I'm so sorry, let me know if you need anything"...or have to witness news articles or the faces of their loved ones (or even theirs!) plastered all over social media. That can sometimes make it even worse, because the wounds which are desperately trying to heal are being repeatedly opened.

The challenge? Those immediate to first 24-48 hours! For victim survivors of domestic violence, assault, abuse, suicide/suicidal ideations...it can be very difficult to know how to get on a path of healing, instead of slipping backwards and gravitating towards cycles of insanity and darkness. To get to a point of courage and understanding that life is precious and worth living. To get out of the toxic environments, to even get out of bed in the morning! To get to a point to where fear and doubt is replaced with hope and confidence. It can take a lot of time before one's journey can begin again, and the good pathways aren't always clear...the roads are always wrought with hills and valleys, cliffs and potholes, bad actors and predators on the hunt.

I have yet to see anyone bouncing out of a hospital ER shouting, "I'm great, I'm healed, it's a miracle!"  Healing takes a lot of time, and depending on the severity, a very long time.

Healing to Thriving...

Eventually, all wounds do heal, and we're left with scars to remind us of what we've survived, what we've (hopefully) learned, and how we can become stronger with each passing day.

It also takes time, attention, and grace on the part of those who actively and genuinely care. It takes presence, listening, encouragement, consistency. I just can't say enough about the people, advocates, groups, and organizations whose mission it is to do just that: actively and genuinely care. Read their mission statements; browse through their sites and social media. Reach out; ask how they can help, or what you can do to help. Donate and support those missions and resources. Include them in your own network of care; refer those who might be in need of their programs.

MMIP Wind River cares! There is a Report-Tiplines page that can guide those who have loved ones who are missing to properly submit a report or tip to agencies and relevant organizations. There is a Resources page with a listing of groups and organizations that can help survivors in getting the support they need. To get even just one person on the right path again can be a benefit a whole tribe/community in a good way, and these resources and programs exist to help. We're stronger together, as a team!

Lastly...

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month. When we are young, we are taught to respect our elders. As their spirits draw nearer to our ancestors, how we treat our elders speaks volumes about ourselves as a people. Neglect and mistreatment has no place when it comes to those who are wiser and have lived to see so many more years/decades than us. So I would like to close with the following:

“Consider the advice of your elders.”

In Native American tradition, elders are not valued simply for their age,
but for the lives they have lived in close conversation with the earth,
the seasons, loss, resilience, and time itself.
Their words are not meant to command —
they are meant to guide.
Not because elders are always right,
but because they have been wrong,
and survived the lessons that followed.
Every line on their face carries a story.
Every pause in their speech holds memory.
They have watched generations rise and fall,
learned when to speak, when to listen,
and when to let the wind carry the answer.
To listen to an elder is to borrow wisdom without paying the full price of pain.
It is to walk a path already mapped by experience,
rooted in respect for the land, the people, and the spirit.
In honoring our elders,
we honor the past —
and protect the future."

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Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIPWindRiver.org
E-mail: MMIPWindRiver@gmail.com