Conference brings awareness to MMIP crisis

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Attendees from all over the country were in Rapid City to attend the Murdered and Missing Awareness Prevention Preparedness and Healing conference Wednesday, with the goal of discussing the MMIP crisis and raising awareness.

People in attendance represented tribes such as the Oglala Lakota and Navajo.

The event serves as a way for individuals to heal from Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons related incidents and give them an opportunity to learn about the tools available.

“One good thing that we’re going to learn about are the resources that are out there for MMIP folks. Places and resources that people can reach out who have family members that are missing,” said Elaine Yellow Horse.

The event also provides people ways to prevent and prepare for MMIP incidents that occur to either their family members or friends.

Presenter Tara Weeks says it’s vital to bring awareness to the issue.

“We have to open up these pathways with each other and make these connections with all the different entities that include, you know, law enforcement, and sheriff’s offices, and criminal investigations and other tribal entities, emergency management,” said Weeks.

During the conference, attendees were greeted by guest speakers and listened to stories on how MMIP incidents had impacted them personally.

Weeks says there’s a key takeaway she wants people to go home with. “I would like our attendees here, the families and such to feel repowered. And even our other attendees like law enforcement or the different governmental entities to hear the stories from the people and the victims and victims’ families.”

Weeks went on the say that the event is a step forward for people to overcome their past trauma and prevent future violence in their families.

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