By Ronald Braman (Eastern Shoshone, Episcopal Diocese of Idaho) and Melissa Chapman Skinner (Standing Rock Nation, Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota)

The following contribution on behalf of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 23^rd session (April 15^th – 26^th, 2024) is being submitted to the UNPFII Secretariat in the context of the session “Regional Interactive Dialogue between Indigenous Peoples and Member States – North America”.

Good Morning Relatives, My name is Ron Braman, Eastern Shoshone, I am with the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protesant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Together with Melissa Chapman Skinner, Standing Rock Nation, and in solidarity with the World Council of Churches’ campaign #ThursdaysInBlack, a campaign bringing to light gender based violence, we bring awareness to the worldwide epidemic our Indigenous women and girls suffer due to violence.

Yesterday, in the Dialogue with African Indigenous voices, we heard this issue addressed, as well, so we know this is an issue affecting many of our peoples.

We are asked in this dialogue what strategic measures can be taken that advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples, but that may be difficult to identify, as we do not have the resources to combat the violence at hand.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing & Murdered Indigenous People webpage:
– More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women, or 84.3% have experienced violence in their lifetime.
– 56.1 percent have experienced sexual violence.
– Overall, more than 1.5 million American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime.
– American Indian and Alaska Native people are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing violence, murder, or going missing and make up a significant portion of the missing and murdered cases.

However, there is room for hope. On my home reservation, and in other parts of Indian Country, grassroots community led activism has educated, organized, and empowered the families of MMIW/P to keep the memory alive of those missing, justice for the murdered, and encourage law enforcement to thoroughly investigate.

Willeena George, Shoshone-Bannock tribal member has undergone extensive training in grassroots activism. Such training included making signs, chanting, use of megaphone, organizing meals & water for activists, as well as keeping attendees safe on route during
demonstrations.

Together with Cynder Metz, mother of missing tribal member Matt Broncho, and Susan Pevo, mother of missing and murdered, Austin Pevo, these women, along with many other community members gather on and off reservation to demonstrate and shout the names of the missing in the streets while carrying large photos of Missing and Murdered people.

Melissa adds, “Within the community of Aberdeen, SD, there is also a MMIW/P case we advocate for. Monica Bercier Wickre went missing in April 1993 after a night out with friends in Aberdeen SD. By June 1993, her body was recovered from the James River, near Bath, SD. Her case remains unsolved. In working with Monica’s family, we speak her name, share her story and advocate for justice. We also lift the family up in prayer as they continue this long journey. For more information, please LIKE & Follow Justice4Monica on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/cEpLN4Lgd1pzK7i2/?mibextid=A7sQZp“.

Last Friday, we gathered for a cultural night with members of the Youth Caucus. We celebrated our tradition in a cultural exchange night. We ate tribal food of the Shinnecock Nation of NY, sang songs, read poetry, danced, and we remembered a recent Missing Persons case of one of our young, Indigenous persons, Cole Brings Plenty. We remembered him in prayer and offered a moment of silence.

We will continue to hold in prayer those affected by this “silent epidemic”. We honor the families, friends, community leaders and activists as they continue to advocate for justice.

Whoweewho/Pilamaya (Thank You)

About the authors:

• Ronald Braman was born in Lander, Wyoming, and is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wind River Indian Reservation, Fort Washakie, Wyoming. A lifelong resident of Idaho, Ronald studied voice at Idaho State University, travelling extensively throughout Europe during that time. Ron advocates for the arts, producing classical concerts, and poetry readings, including US Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo. He has hosted events with the Rocky Mountain Writers Festival. He works with the Episcopal Church as a Director of Music in Fort Hall, Idaho, serving as pianist, organist, youth champion, Doctrine of Discovery Trainer, and Sr. Warden, in addition to being a lay worship leader, liturgist, preacher, and deputy to General Convention. He creates tribal shell dress, beadwork, moccasins, and feather work. Tribal ceremonial songs are highly regarded and regularly supported in his community, singing backup (as a Two-Spirit gay man) with local drummers for Sundance, as well as leading songs for Ghost Dance. The work of the UN holds a special place in Ron’s heart for advocacy.
• Melissa Chapman Skinner is a member of the Húŋkpapȟa (Standing Rock) and Isáŋyathi (Santee) Nations. She holds her Master’s in Legal Studies – Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma as well as her Bachelor’s and Associate in Human Services degrees from Sitting Bull College. In her free time, Melissa loves to spend time with her family and friends, travel to various places but her favorite being a powwow, and work on various beadwork projects. She has worked with the Episcopal Church Indigenous Ministries office for over 10 years, focusing on United Nations advocacy and building community. She is passionate about helping others, especially in Indian Country.