Cynthia Metz holds a sign featuring her son Matthew Jay Broncho as Willeena George speaks to the crowd at the Prayer Walk on October 4.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and the Victims Assistance Program sponsored a Prayer Walk to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous People on Friday, October 4.
Jason Butler offered his support to the event by saying a prayer for the walk. He said it was very important they bring awareness to the missing, murdered Indigenous people because it’s happening everywhere. He said it was good they come together to help one another.
“When we’re together like this, it’s a powerful thing. It can heal people and it can heal all these different things. It can make a change in our world,” said Butler.
Fort Hall Business Council member Donna Thompson welcomed the community and talked about how domestic violence in the community should not be allowed. She said the community needs to start opening their eyes and being more aware.
Red cutout signs honor Missing Murdered Indigenous People.
Domestic violence survivor Willeena George spoke to the crowd, empowering them to not be shameful about what goes on behind closed doors. She encouraged people to talk and open their eyes to lookout for who is hurting.
“Open that door for them if they want to talk to you,” she said, adding it was disheartening when you know you’ve been beaten and you want to keep it a secret because it feels shameful.
“It’s time to quit being silent,” she said.
George said there are resources available and they need to utilize them.
On the topic of the Missing Murdered Indigenous People, she said it was heartbreaking to watch the mothers looking for their kids and they can’t find them.
George invited everyone to the “Walk for freedom” Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Walk on Saturday, October 19 at 10 a.m. at Pocatello City Hall. People were encouraged to wear black.
The sun peeks through the clouds among the Prayer Walk participants.
Cynthia Metz, mother of Matthew Broncho, who has been missing since March, said their family has not heard anything. Metz said they all have to watch out for one another and encouraged people to say something if they know anything. She asked everyone to keep them in prayer.
Elizabeth Ann Jim, Tribal Health Director for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, said domestic violence hurts a person mentally, spiritually, physically and socially. She said prayer is really important in life.
“We all know prayer, we can all help,” she said. “It doesn't take a department it takes a community to raise a village.”
She would also like to see more leaders and spiritual people involved
Tribal Health Director Elizabeth Ann Jim speaks to the crowd.
Audrey Jim talked about the VAP Program’s services and introduced her staff.
Tribal member Andrea Dunn was grateful for the event and talked about her brother Melvin Benally Jr., who was missing for eight months, back in the 80s. She said her family was frustrated about lack of information the law enforcement had available and follow through not reported to their mother. She described him as considerate, especially when it came to his mother and knew he would check in with her, but when Christmas came and went they knew he was no longer here. Through tears she identified with the families with missing loved ones. She told the families to be assertive and to keep on looking. Her brother would have been 51. Lastly, she encouraged those participating in the walk to think about those going through heartache.
Butler cedared the participants before they got started on the walk. Afterwards, breakfast was served at the VAP office and there was a door prize drawing.