Restoration Magazine

Prayers for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind and Community Actions: Prayers, Vigils and Calls for Justice

On August 19, Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, 22, went missing and her body was discovered in the Red River outside Fargo eight days later. She was eight months pregnant at the time of her disappearance and a newborn found to be Savanna’s infant was discovered during a search of a neighbor’s apartment. The non- Native neighbors have been arrested on numerous charges in the case. North Dakota tribal leaders joined by several hundred people held a vigil for Savanna on the steps of the state Capitol in Bismarck on September 16. Similar actions in support of Savanna have occurred across tribal nations and communities calling for justice and reforms to address the crisis of missing and murdered Native women and girls.

"It’s not your fault, it was never your fault. If no one else believes you, I believe you." Sasha Rivers, member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Eagle Clan of her mother (Winnebago/Ojibwe) and Wolf Clan of her Father (Meskwaki/Akimel O’odham). Sasha shares her story at the Sioux City Savannah Grey Wind Candlelight Vigil urging survivors of DV/SA to break the silence in a good way in order to promote healing. Sasha speaks to the empowerment of survivors and believing them when they share their story. Photography by Antonia L. Ybarra.

One example of the many actions to honor Savanna includes an event by people from Sioux City, Iowa and surrounding communities. On August 31, 2017, a group of over 60 people came together in remembrance of Savanna and all missing and murdered Indigenous women. The group consisted of many tribal communities and non-Indian allies.

“We started with a prayer, and two songs from the grandfather big drum. The first song was a southern song in UmoNhoN, and the second song a northern song in Nakota. This represents the diversity across Indian Country and the communities at the event,” said Marisa Miakonda Cummings, organizer and Sioux City community member. “We had several youth attend the event, including many young women eager to offer help. We had tobacco and a red cloth available for participants to offer prayers. We then walked the red cloth to the river and offered her our prayers. The reason the prayers were offered to the water, is because Savanna was found in water and water sustained her baby in her womb. We stood at the river with our candles while a beautiful song was sung that spoke to our relatives in the stars. We had a female relative speak to women who died defending their children having a very special place in the spirit world.”

See more of Antonia’s work at http://bit.ly/2wFqa0X

This remembrance event for Savanna LaFontaine- Greywind included various speakers from the community who shared their stories related to violence against Native women. The speakers included the following: Marisa Miakonda Cummings, UmoNhoN, organizer and Sioux City community member; Gloria Grant Gone, UmoNhoN elder, Michael O’Connor, Yankton Sioux and Sioux City community member; Sasha Rivers, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Sioux City community member; Samuel Grant, UmoNhoN and Sioux City community member; and Marguerite Morris, UmoNhoN, Sioux City community member. Singers included Samuel Grant, UmoNhoN; and Canku Wakandgi, Ihanktonwan Nakoda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer group walked to the Missouri River in Sioux City, IA. Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind was found dead in a river in North Dakota after being missing for days. Antonia L. Ybarra Photography.

 

 

 

Sasha Rivers (member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Eagle Clan of her mother (Winnebago/Ojibwe) and Wolf Clan of her Father (Meskwaki/Akimel O’odham) and Marisa Miakonda Cummings (UmoNhoN, Organizer and Sioux City community member) at the prayer group and candle vigil for Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind. Antonia L. Ybarra Photography