FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Inquiries Contact: Tanaya Winder, tanaya.winder@gmail.com (505-934-3425) or Hannabah Blue, hannabah.blue@ndsu.edu (505-793-1874)

Fargo, ND – Indigenous women from several states in the country have joined forces to create a series of events to unite people around a common cause. Aimed at bringing awareness to the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and colonial gender based violence in the United States and Canada, the Sing Our Rivers Red initiative was created to raise consciousness, unite ideas and demand action for Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and LGBTQQIA people who have been murdered or gone missing, tortured, raped, trafficked, and assaulted, and have not had the proper attention or justice.

Since 1980, over 1,181 Native women and girls in Canada have been reported missing or have been murdered. For over 20 years, there have been marches and events each year throughout Canada on Valentine’s Day to bring awareness to this issue such as the Women’s Memorial March. Initiatives listed on #ItStartsWithUs.

This February 2015, we hope to support the efforts built in Canada in the week leading up to Feb 14th, as well as highlight the need for awareness and action to address colonial gender violence in the United States. Events will take place in the Fargo/Moorhead area:

Monday, February 9th, 2015
SORR Speak Out & Earring Art Exhibition (NDSU Memorial Gallery) 11:00 AM – 1:00 PMThis event will feature a traveling earring exhibit created with 1,181 single-sided earrings to symbolize the Indigenous women who were stolen, and original art by Navajo muralist/painter Nani Chacon. The event will also include poetry, spoken word, and speakers working on issues involving trafficking, violence, and missing women.

SORR Concert (NDSU Memorial Union Century Theater) Doors open 4:30 PM, Show 5:00 PM – 7:00 PMThis event will feature hip hop artists Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota), recently featured in MTV’s Rebel Music and local Mic Jordan (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas). Special guests include: Diane Miller and Young Jibwe.

Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
Missing: The Documentary (Location: MSUM Livingston Lord Library, Rm 103) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PMScreening of Missing: The Documentary followed by panel discussion including Producer Young Jibwe, Chalsey Snyder, a law enforcement official, and others.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Arming Sisters Workshop (MSUM Underground @ Comstock Memorial Union 001) 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMArming Sisters is a unique course utilizing women's self defense to revive self; empowerment, love and ownership of body. Dinner will be provided.

Friday, February 13, 2015
Sing Our Rivers Red Honoring featuring Winona LaDuke (Concordia Barry Auditorium) 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMWinona LaDuke talk “The Intersection of Violence Against Women and Oil Extraction” and event to honor Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women. This event will be to honor Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women as well as the people who have worked in the field to combat violence against women, human trafficking, sexual and reproductive health, LGBTQ2S, and other fields, bringing awareness to this issue. People can send in the names of murdered and missing Indigenous women to be prayed for at this event, as well as those who are working in fields to bring awareness to this issue.

Saturday, February 14, 2015
Sing Our Rivers Red March & Rally, (Meet at 12:00 PM at Fargo Public Library. March begins at 12:30 PM to Moorhead Public Library. Rally 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM)Free hot chocolate and coffee provided at rally.