‘When someone is in loss, you never let that person be alone’: Missing and murdered Indigenous Alaskans remembered in Anchorage ceremony

Missing and murdered Indigenous people were remembered by their family and friends during a ceremony in Anchorage on Friday. The event coincided with Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, for which events were held nationwide.

Organizer Charlene Aqpik Apok said this year’s event, held at Umoja CoWorking in Mountain View, was planned with support for family members in mind. In addition to the public ceremony, participants were also invited to take part in talking circles.

“We love you. We’re here for you,” Apok said. “First and foremost, for you.”

The vigil offered people an opportunity to speak about people they’ve lost and lay a rose in their memory. Several who stood up recalled and laid roses for multiple people. Many wore red, the color embraced by the movement to raise awareness of, and seek justice for, missing and murdered Indigenous women.

[Wearing red, Indigenous families across the U.S. honor missing relatives]

The event was one of several hosted this week by the statewide Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit working group, an effort of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Alaska Native Justice Center, Data for Indigenous Justice and Native Movement. Southcentral Foundation provided support.

Cecilia Chanerak held up a picture of Susie Braden, who was murdered in 2010.

“I was compelled to share my sister’s story and let it be known,” she said. “I realized I need a little bit more support, and I’m here with the right people.”

Polly Andrews, of Southcentral Foundation’s Family Wellness Warriors program, said that’s a lesson taught to her by an elder in Lower Kalskag.

“What he said was that when someone is in grief, when someone is in loss, you never let that person be alone,” Andrews said.

The event was attended by representatives of the Anchorage Police Department, the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the Anchorage office of the FBI.