On May 5th, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) and the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) hosted the Annual Gathering of Remembrance, which honors the memory of victims of unsolved homicides in the Fairbanks area and missing and murdered indigenous people.
The event started at the William Woods Centennial Bridge where native leaders, law enforcement officials and community members all came together to honor the memory of the missing and murdered. The Gathering of Remembrance has been held annually in Fairbanks for many years and was first initiated by the late Shirley Demientieff and was centered on the previously unsolved murder of Sophie Sergie, whose case finally received a conviction in 2022 after 29 years. The annual rallies for Sophie eventually broadened to include all cases of unsolved homicide in the Fairbanks area.
“Today we gather to remember those we loved and lost and those who remain missing,” said Chief/Chairman Brian Ridley, TCC, “We stand together to raise awareness on the epidemic of our Alaska Native people who have fallen victim to violence.”
People throughout the crowd held signs with names on them…Henry Luke, Davis Elia, Wilfred Charlie, Lorraine Englishoe Ginnis…all names of the unsolved missing and murdered cases. The names included 38 unsolved murder cases of all races and the names of 32 missing indigenous people.
“We are here today to say aloud the names of the missing and murdered indigenous in our small community,” said Shirley Lee, Strategic Development and Justice Director, FNA, “Behind each name is a life story; a child, an artist, a musician, a grandfather. Behind each name is a mystery not yet solved.”
After singing, drumming and prayers, flowers were thrown over the bridge into the Chena River in memory of the victims. The event continued at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall where law enforcement representatives from the Fairbanks Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers and District Attorney Joe Dallaire shared updates and their commitment to working with the native community on these issues.
TCC would like to say Mahsi’ Choo to everyone who made this event possible and to our law enforcement representatives who joined us in native singing, dancing and stayed late to help clean the hall and talk to the families of the missing and murdered. We appreciate you.
TCC would like to remind everyone that there are still several missing indigenous people in the Fairbanks area. If you know someone please contact law enforcement or submit a tip anonymously at https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/tips or by texting AKTIPS to 84711.