The hardworking sound of Singer sewing machines filled the room on this late April evening as the setting sun sprayed its light through the windows of a classroom at the Way of Life Facility.

To bring awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Day, the Salt River Tribal Library and Community Recreational Services provided an O’odham skirt workshop for teens ages 13 to 17 on April 28-29.

The teens had an option to wear their dresses on MMIP Day on May 5 at the ALA Football Field for Light up the Night: A Night of Hope & Healing.

“As you can see, the red [fabric] represents missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and families,” said Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member and instructor Tammy Walker, who led the workshop.

“I always volunteer for something for the teens and elders in the Community. Whatever it takes to keep the traditions going.”

The workshop provided a space for teens to learn sewing techniques and to fulfill a major goal for the teens to become immersed in culture, healing and remembrance of O’odham history and of MMIP.

“Are we going to zig-zag? Are we going to do a regular stitch? Are we going to do the wide stitch?” Walker asked the teens after ironing the ribbons to the skirts using sticky tape glue made of paper.

Regular glue sticks don’t work as well to hold the ribbons down.  

The handful of teens listened intently as Walker floated from table to table, offering her hands-on expertise and direct transfer of knowledge to Community youth.

“It’s their first skirts and I would like for them to continue learning.”

Library assistant Josefina Vasquez said that both MMIP awareness and cultural programs like the O’odham ribbon skirt making are close to her heart and to her family.

“When Tammy [Walker] came to me and told me she wanted to teach the class, I was all for it and ready,” said Vasquez. “She was one of my mentors growing up and I’m glad we could do this for the teens.”