The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community united in support on May 5, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, to show solidarity and honor, and to remember and raise awareness.

Earlier in the day, the Community gathered at Two Waters Amphitheater for a Red Wrap event, where people wrapped Two Waters in red and added their handprints to the back wall of the amphitheater to raise awareness. The handprint image, which is often painted over a mouth, symbolizes the silence of victims.

The evening event, Light Up the Night: A Night of Hope & Healing, took place at the Accelerated Learning Academy football field. A warm welcome was extended to families affected by the MMIP crisis. Families set up booths with photos, banners and signs with information about their loved ones.

Pacer Reina was the emcee and helped usher speakers to the stage. The speakers included family members of those in the Community who have been affected by MMIP.

“Like in a lot of other communities today, there are other events that are being held in Arizona, as well as across the country. We are glad you are here,” Reina told the crowd.

3 Takeaways:

• The evening portion of SRPMIC MMIP Awareness Day was a walk to promote hope and healing among Community members.
• Community members who have lost loved ones took to the stage to share about their family members.
• The walk around the ALA football field track was lit by luminarias to provide light and honor those who are lost.

Dozens of similar events took place across the United States and Canada on this day, some over the previous weekend.

The Young River People’s Council gave the opening blessing at ALA.

Ariel Antone is the mother of Elijah Andrews, who has been missing since Dec. 17, 2025. She was invited to the stage to say a few words about her son.

“We’re still out there looking for my son. I’m never going to give up hope,” said Antone.

“If anyone knows anything about his last whereabouts, please don’t be scared to say anything.”

Anna Anderson talked about her daughter, Passion Schurz, who went missing earlier this year.

“My daughter, Passion, went missing on March 19 and was found nine days later. Unfortunately, she was not found alive. My family carries a pain that no one can describe,” said Anderson.

“I ask that you keep not only my daughter in your prayers, but also everyone that is also living life every day with unsolved answers.”

SRPMIC Council member Su:k Fulwilder also went up on the stage. She held up a picture of her brother, Mateo Sandoval, whose life was taken in 2004. The case remains unsolved.

“This issue is close to my heart, and I know it is close to all of our hearts because we are all relatives in one way or another,” said Fulwilder.

After the speakers left the stage, walk participants gathered on the track around the football field. O’odham and Piipaash songs echoed throughout the field as the walkers began their trek.

Luminarias around the track provided light and honored those who are lost. Dinner was provided to participants after they were finished walking. Participants also received shirts from the SRPMIC-sponsored event.