AMPKWA: munk łush nsayka shawash tilixam is an art exhibition honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.
The reception will take place Wednesday, January 28 at 12:00 PM, followed by an artist and family talk at 12:30 PM. Amanda Freeman will share the context behind the work, how this exhibit came to be, and the responsibility that comes with documenting MMIP. Following that, the family of Wesley Jones will speak about their father and the ongoing effort to bring him home.
This exhibit was not created from a single idea or moment. It grew out of years spent alongside families impacted by MMIP. Sitting with them. Helping search. Witnessing what happens when urgency fades but loss does not. The work reflects what remains when systems slow down and families are left waiting.
Amanda Freeman uses her photography as a way to speak without words. To acknowledge those who are missing. To honor Indigenous relatives as whole human beings rather than statistics or headlines. The images ask viewers to slow down and sit with what is still unresolved.
The exhibition runs January 14 through February 6 at the Gretchen Schuette Gallery at Chemeketa. Community members, families, and allies are welcome.
Safety Training with Kola Shippentower
Strengthening personal safety and community readiness. Empowering individuals to effectively communicate with law enforcement, while reinforcing confidence & preservation.
Kola Shippentower-Thompson is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. A survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault & sexual harassment by law enforcement, she founded the Wisáwca Project, LLC. An organization working for change, for better communication and involvement. Kola has developed a Safety Plan to be utilized by anyone in identifying safety methods, contacts, and procedures to keep one safe, whether in an abusive relationship or a plan to track a missing person. She is a professional fighter and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Kola is a wife and mother to three children and takes personal safety to heart, especially in advocating for MMIWP. Kola is also an actress, model & host of the I AM podcast. She is also a professional women’s tackle football player with the Oregon Ravens.
After registering, you will receive a PDF and the Zoom link to attend the webinar.
This training was made possible in part by a grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund - Thank you!
2025 MMIP Awareness Walk
Thank you to everyone that joined us for our 2nd annual (1st as Ampkwa Advocacy) MMIP Awareness walk at Independence’s Riverview Park on August 30th, 2025.
This event was made possible by a generous grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund and by our event sponsors. Hayu-masi!
2025 MMIP Awareness Dinner
Thank you to everyone that attended out introductory dinner at Spirit Mountain Casino on January 31st, 2025.
and thanks to Smoke Signals for their coverage of this event.