More than 300 motorcycle riders assembled en masse at Casino Arizona in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on April 11 for the fourth annual Thunderbird Throttle, an event supporting families impacted by the missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis.

The collaboration between Rez Riders Indian Motorcycle Club and Phoenix Indian Center was the only known Native American ride during Arizona Bike Week, according to ride organizers.

Bystanders waited in the casino parking lot, listening for the distant engines revving to signal the approaching riders’ convoy from 92nd Street. The route to Casino Arizona began at Indian Motorcycle of Chandler and included a stop at the Tonto Basin Water Users Recreation Site.

With Red Mountain in their rearview mirrors, the roaring riders, led by road captain Rob “Wheelz” Day, entered the parking lot shortly after 1 p.m. One by one the motorcycles filed in, with the riders heading straight to the barbecue luncheon and taking their seats for the program.

Riders also visited information booths from a variety of organizations supporting MMIP awareness and listened to the chicken scratch stylings of the band Waila Style 87.

Organizer Patty “Wildcat” Dimitriou from Thunderbird Throttle was scheduled to be the event emcee, but she couldn’t make it to the event. Cheryl Wood traveled alone from the Treaty 6 area of Alberta, Canada, to meet with her event organizer sisters to help fill Dimitriou’s absence.

“Us girls come together as a village many times a year. We travel all over North America,” said Wood.

“Our goal is one and the same. We come together as a village of women warriors supported by the men in our community and we raise awareness.”

SRPMIC Council member Cheryl Doka took to the lectern to read a proclamation signed and approved by President Martin Harvier that supports April 11 as Thunderbird Throttle Day.

Doka said the thunderbird is a powerful symbol in many Native cultures, representing strength, protection and unity.

“This event is more than a ride, it’s a collective voice raising awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, an issue that continues to impact our families and communities across the nation,” said Doka.

“We thank you for traveling through our land with respect and for standing alongside us in support of Native voices.”