Yesterday evening, over two hundred people gathered at Ukiah’s Arbor Youth Resource Center celebrating the completion of a mural depicting Covelo’s Khadijah Britton, a missing and believed possibly murdered indigenous woman who disappeared over three years ago. The celebration included speeches, dancers, prayers, and a meal for all attending guests.
The mural was the product of artist Shane Grammer, Drug-Free Communities Coalition Director Kate Feigin and Project Coordinator Amalia Abrojena, and over a dozen local youth who dedicated themselves to honoring Khadijah Britton and other missing and murdered indigenous people.
Khadijah Britton’s disappearance in February 2018 has remained unsolved. Britton was last seen with her boyfriend Negis Falis when he dragged her violently from a party and she was never seen again. Falis is currently in prison for weapons and other assorted charges and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has stated publicly he is suspected of her disappearance.
The mural itself depicts a large image of Khadijah Britton alongside the symbol for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s movement, a large red handprint. The handprint itself is made up of hundreds of individual handprints that attendees of today’s celebration were contributing to throughout.
Mike Duncan, the CEO of the Native Dad’s Network, was the first to address the crowd. He called the mural and the turnout “beautiful” and spoke of the sadness and gratitude he felt seeing so many people come out to support Khadijah Britton and her family. Duncan, speaking to the men in the audience, said, “Women are the medicine, life-givers. Men must protect the women.”
Round Valley Tribal President James Russ spoke thanking the attendees for their support. He offered the wisdom of Lakota Chief Sitting Bull:
“Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.”
Shane Grammer, the artist behind the design of the mural, told the crowd how honored he was to be able to participate in a piece of public art honoring Khadijah Britton and the many missing and murdered indigenous peoples.
Drug-Free Communities Coalition Director Kate Feigin told the crowd of the dozen-plus youth who dedicated themselves to the creation of the mural. She said they hoped to honor indigenous women creating visibility for their experience and acknowledging the trauma they face.
Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall was in attendance and spoke to the crowd reminiscing about his childhood in Round Valley and growing up with several members of Khadijah Britton’s family. Sheriff Kendall described working with Khadijah’s grandfather Ronnie Hostler at the sawmill where “he taught me to be a man.” Sheriff Kendall encouraged the community to come together and help bring justice for Khadijah Britton.
Britton’s grandfather, Ronnie Hostler, stood alongside Sheriff Kendall and spoke of his amazement about all the people that had come out to support him. He invited all relatives of Khadijah Britton to stand before the audience and over two dozen attendees rose and stood alongside Hostler.
Connie Hostler, Khadjah’s mother, took the microphone and thanked all for their support and said the mural depicting her daughter was dedicated to all missing and murdered indigenous peoples.
The more than a dozen Mendocino County youth involved in the making of the mural stood in front of the crowd, exchanging the microphone, and saying the names of other missing and murdered indigenous people from the Emerald Triangle including Rachel Sloan, Nick Vigil, Nicole Smith, and Mike Pena.
The celebration culminated in indigenous singing and dance. As sage smoke drifted across the parking lot, gusts of wind moved banners and feathers while chanting and drums moved the hearts of attendees.
Wow. I wish I had known about this. So sad.
Beautiful