'The land remembers, and so do we': Dozens walk for missing Indigenous people awareness month

May 3-The last time Jermain Charlo, also known as Jermain Monigeau or "Liz," was seen, she was getting out of a car filled with her friends heading home to the Flathead Reservation in 2018. She opted to stay in Missoula and was seen walking on cameras downtown.

Kalispel tribal elder RJ Nomee said his daughter and Charlo's aunt, Valenda Underwood, has never recovered from the loss.

"We still have no idea what happened," RJ said. "Her sons are growing up without her, and my daughter still carries that in her heart."

Dozens of people wearing red and black gathered at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino on Friday to recognize and spread awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Awareness Month, which is in May. The walk is the first of its kind in Airway Heights, organized by the Kalispel Tribe and Northern Quest.

In Washington, less than 2% of the population are American Indian or Alaska Natives, but Natives are twice as likely to be homicide victims and 2.5 times more likely to have unresolved homicide cases, according to a release from the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

More than 108 Indigenous people are listed as missing in Washington state, including 50 women and girls, according to a report by the state attorney general's office. Around 65 of those cases are men, according to Ashley Carter, the assistant manager for the Kalispel Tribe victim services.

"Every red dress represents a life that should still be here," Kalispel Tribe director of achieves Annette Pierre said. "This isn't just an Indigenous issue, this is a human rights issue."

Around 52% of the cases in the state are in Eastern Washington. In Spokane, there are 10 current cases - five include children, Carter said.

"The land remembers our missing and murdered Indigenous women, and so do we," Pierre said. "Our communities have known loss for generations, but we also know resilience, and that's why we're here today."

The missing people are often human trafficked, Carter said.

"But they're coming up missing or murdered. They're just disappearing," Carter said.

The Kalispel Tribe victim services works with Washington law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Carter said.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 11:41 PM.