The hearts of many were filled with loving support and empathy as the 13th annual Glow Walk, hosted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Health and Human Services Department, was held on October 8. 

Every year, the annual Glow Walk has seen an increase in attendance. This year’s event was no different, as 300 participants from the Community joined together to increase awareness and prevention of suicide in the Community as well as commemorate October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

SRPMIC Health and Human Services Community Health Educator Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty served as the emcee of the event and introduced several guest speakers. Vendor booths from SRPMIC departments filled the outdoor ramada area just outside of the Health and Human Services building.

“Thank you all for coming out and showing your support to these causes,” said SRPMIC Council member Cheryl Doka, who provided the welcome and blessing. She shared a deeply personal story regarding her uncle’s tragic passing when she was just 12 years old. 

“I was at my aunt’s house while my mom was at work,” she recalled. “One day a police officer came by my aunt’s house. Later, when my mom came home from work, my aunt told my mom that the officer had come by to inform the family that my uncle had committed suicide,” she said. “He was in his early 20s then. As I got older, I continued to educate myself on suicide. It’s unfortunate that this does happen in our Community. But I think with everyone showing their support here, we can make that change.”

Doka then provided a blessing to all families as well as public safety first responders “because they’re the ones that have to go to these calls to help protect our Community and heal us.”

Following Doka’s remarks, SRPMIC Health and Human Services Director Joseph Remitera thanked the families of the Community for the great turnout and shared his appreciation to those who helped organize the walk. 

Remitera also spoke about the valuable impact that SRPMIC members and their families possess as the Community continues to work toward healing from suicide and domestic violence. 

“Thirty-three percent of the deaths in this Community happen between the ages of 18 and 40,” began Remitera. “We can do something about it. At Salt River, we believe in a community of caring. It’s not just one person; it’s a family. Collectively, we can make a change and a difference, and that begins today, with all of us here.”

Later, Miss Salt River 2024-2025 Sialik King greeted everyone and said that her heart was full to see so many people supporting the glow walk. “If you even just want to talk or need a hug, we will be here for you. Let’s see those percentages go down and see more support like this. Sapo/thank you,” she said. 

Miss Salt River 2024-2025 First Attendant Zoe Hernandez, Jr. Miss Salt River 2024-2025 Diondria Pilger and Jr. Miss Salt River 2024-2025 First Attendant Tiare Begay-Smith were also given the opportunity to say a few words. 

The guest speaker for the 13th Annual Glow Walk was Su:k Fulwilder. Joined by her daughter, Fulwilder thanked the SRPMIC for hosting the walk while she held a framed photograph of her son, Joaquin (bot), who tragically took his own life years ago. 

“This is a crisis in Native communities; we’re losing our relatives younger and younger, especially to suicide. We’re survivors of genocide, and it’s still going on if you think about it. It’s hard for us as Native people,” she shared. “We weren’t taught how to express our emotions in healthy ways. We all have lost relatives to drugs and alcohol.” 

Later, Fulwilder shared stories of her son, who was a champion wrestler and traveled to Australia for the Down Under Championship invitational tournament. She noted, “He went to Salt River High School but graduated from Coronado in 2020. He was also side by side with my father, Melvin Fulwilder, a traditionalist, and helped with many traditional burials, which included many of his family and close friends,” she said. 

As he grew up, her son struggled with mental health issues; being away from his family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted his mental well-being. Unfortunately, he took his own life in October 2022. During her speech, Fulwilder said that her son was waiting to be assigned a counselor, but by the time it took for him to be provided one, it was too late. 

“I have made it my mission to tell his story, not only because I want people to remember him and the great person that he was, but also [because I want] to be a voice for others who don’t have the strength to speak up,” she said. 

“We have to seek ways to help our spirit heal. If you need help, please reach out. I don’t want to lose any more relatives. Each of you is important to somebody, even if you don’t feel like it.”

Participants then gathered at the Glow Walk starting line by the Health and Human Services building and began walking west toward Longmore and then up toward Osborn Road, returning to the building to complete their official lap.