The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Family Advocacy Center hosted a “Chalk & Walk” Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action event on April 7 at Friendship Park.

Participants wrote encouraging and positive messages with chalk on the basketball court blacktop to show their support.

Examples of the messages etched into the ground included “You are heard/seen/loved. Don’t be afraid” and “You are worthy of support.”

Miss Salt River Emma Scabby, Jr. Miss Salt River Tiaré Begay-Smith and Aiyanna Toya, First Attendant to Jr. Miss Salt River, attended the event and led the walk, alongside Miss Indian Arizona Sialik King.

In a statement on the Miss Indian Arizona Instagram page, King said that sexual violence is “horrendous” and disproportionately impacts tribal communities.

“Events such as this one not only show support to all those that are impacted but also bring awareness to issues within our communities,” said King.

“I want to thank Salt River’s Family Advocacy Center for bringing our community together to show our support and love to everyone affected by sexual violence. To any survivors, please know that we all stand behind you and care for you. Si has em elid (“We are thinking about you”). Sapo!”

The first 150 people to participate received a State Forty-Eight/FAC collaboration t-shirt. A light meal was provided after the walk.