Savanna GreyWind, A Vigil in Seattle
by Benita Moore
Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old indigenous woman from North Dakota, went missing on August 19, 2017, and was found dead Sunday in the Red River. Her death was ruled a homicide and her body was discovered wrapped in plastic by kayakers. She was eight months pregnant at the time of her death and her boyfriend and the baby’s father, Ashton Matheny, said they were going to name her daughter, who had been cut from her mother’s womb by the assailant, Haisley Jo.
In response to Savanna’s death, a vigil was held in Seattle to remember her and raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) in the United States and Canada. The vigil was attended by members of her family, the Lakota Oyate community, and members of the public.
Speakers at the vigil emphasized the urgent need for action to address the MMIW crisis, which is a significant issue affecting indigenous communities in North America. According to a 2016 report by the National Institute of Justice, indigenous women are 10 times more likely to be murdered than any other group of women in the United States. In Canada, a 2014 report by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated that indigenous women and girls are four times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-indigenous women.
The vigil in Seattle provided a space for attendees to reflect collectively on the lives of missing and murdered indigenous women and to pay respects to their families. The family of Savanna was deeply moved by the outpouring of support and members of the community lined up to offer their condolences.
The vigil was held on the territory of the Duwamish and was accompanied by traditional singing and drumming by the Lakota Oyate. Savanna was a proud Dakota and a member of the Oceti Sakowin, the Great Sioux Nation. The memory of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind will always be cherished and her legacy will continue to inspire action and justice for indigenous women everywhere.
