Wind and rain didn’t stop dozens of Unalaskans from participating in “Walking With Our Sisters” on May 5. Passing cars honked in support as marchers carried homemade signs that read “No more stolen sisters,” “Justice for the Missing and Murdered” and “We won’t be quiet” as they walked along Airport Beach Road to City Hall.
This marks the second year Unalaskans have organized the march to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
“We really want to support the families of these unfortunate stories,” said Anfesia Tutiakoff, cultural resource director for the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska. “What they’re going through is a lot, and it’s happening.”
At least 64 Unangax̂ people have been murdered since 1959, according to research by historian Michael Livingston. The most recent Unangax̂ homicide was in 2021 on St. Paul Island.
Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence, a local anti-violence organization and crisis shelter, co-sponsored the event with the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska.
After the march, participants gathered inside Unalaska’s community center for pizza and drinks.
The Iluulum Ax̂anangin, Unalaska’s Unangan dance group, displayed new regalia designed to honor victims and their families — a long, bright red dress with a fur neckline and tassels. The regalia has “MMIP,” for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, written on it above small red handprints.
“The plans for this is that they're able to wear this during their ceremonies and dance presentations,” Tutiakoff said. “But also, as the year goes on and we get permission from the families, we'll start putting names on here for those that are missing and murdered in the Aleutians or even outside of the Aleutians.”
Tutiakoff also announced that the Qawalangin Tribe will develop a community response initiative this fall, bringing together Alaska State Troopers, Unalaska police, the U.S. Coast Guard and other organizations to create a coordinated response plan for cases in the region.
The tribe and Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence plan to keep holding the annual march for the foreseeable future.
