Help Support MMIW Family with Housing
Hi Everyone!
This is Jordan - a member of Kul Wičasa Oyaté - Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. I'm writing on behalf of June Left Hand - mother to Victoria Jane Eagleman and grandmother to Vicki's 5 beautiful children. From June to me: "I have chosen you to represent and speak for Victoria Jane Eagleman. I know inside my heart that I may never see justice for Vicki, but maybe you can help give her a voice, and also for the many countless other children, young adults and women who are still missing, found or never had justice." I am speechless and honored to help - and know this is why I have my platform - to help those who need it.
Karen Artichoker, a close friend of Vicki’s mother June added: “I knew Vicki Eagleman since she was a young girl, quiet, sweet, shy smile. She was always respectful, and it was totally obvious that she loved her family. My long-time sister-friend (maske) June, and her husband, Richard, reflect our traditional family values as Lakota People. Vicki’s children, other grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sometimes their friends live in this fluid household. Thirteen (13) people living in a single-wide trailer (that is in terrible condition) with limited bathroom luxuries and electricity that has a mind of its own. While the trailer is theirs, the land it sits on is not. The family has received an eviction notice and have been desperately scrambling to figure out how to not end up homeless. We’re not even sure the trailer could be moved without falling apart. Funds from the GoFundMe will go towards the purchase of a used double-wide manufactured home or enough for a down payment so that any monthly payment would be manageable. The family has finally been able to identify a 2.5-acre tribal lot and has started the necessary paperwork to obtain a tribal land lease. It is unknown what the cost will be for getting water, sewer, and electricity to this rural site. The loss of Vicki was 18 years ago, but the effects continue to be seen today. Each of us can make a difference in Vicki’s children’s lives, and the many other relatives that surround, influence and support this family. With your help, Vicki’s children would not have to live with the uncertainty of homelessness and would have a permanent home. Please help.”
Victoria, disappeared and was last seen by her mom, June on July 28th, 2006 as she left for a friends house. Her family reported her missing. Rumors were spread, misinformation, and clues were spread across the community in Lower Brule. However, Vicki wasn't seen or heard from. After a search party organized by friends and family, on the second day of the search, Victoria was found.
After years of fighting for justice for Vicki, no answers and accountability has been reached. June has been let by the judicial system time and time again, and by journalists and media exploiting Victoria's story with no additional support or outreach to support her family. Sadly, this is common for families who have lost a loved. It is the families who move heaven and earth to fight for their loved one, leading the search parties, fundraising and more. All too often, they don't get taken seriously by law enforcement or the support just stops. People in the community know something. Sadly, some witnesses have passed on. There are answers and justice is possible. And this is an issue that continues to happen across these cases for missing and murdered loved ones.
Victoria has always stuck with me. I was in Lower Brule at the time of her disappearance and sadly, had to leave back to Maine to start my first year of college. My mom helped with the search party and they found her. At the time in 2006, the hashtag #MMIW and this movement wasn't visible to me. I did start to connect the dots of how prevalent violence is in our communities and started to pay attention. As I've spoke with many MMIR (missing and murdered Indigenous relatives) advocates, there are some relatives, that just stick out to you. Victoria was that to me. I couldn't understand how this could happen to her or how someone is capable of taking her life in such a horrific way. Then in college, I learned about the Highway of Tears in Canada and the high rates of murders and disappearances of Indigenous women and relatives found on the highway or disappeared from the highway. Then when I moved to DC in 2013, and went to my first Reject & Protect Rally to stop the KXL Pipeline - I learned of the high rates of violence thats caused on the lands and Indigenous bodies from the mancamps. As I continued learning - Victoria was always on my mind. She was from my community. She was a daughter, a mother and a friend. I ran and dedicated a mile for Victoria in the Fall of 2019 at a half marathon. I wanted to remember her. I wanted other people to see her name and not forget her. And now, I have this opportunity to help support her still, her kids, and her family.
Families are often left to mourn and raise the children of their stolen loved ones - left with the financial responsibilities. Not many services are available to help support the families. So this is why this gofundme is created.
June has reached out for help because the family is at risk of homelessness come August/September 2021 and are falling on financially hard times. They live in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Taking care of the grandchildren, medical bills and loss of income has added up. From the Running for Justice virtual 5k, 10k, Half Marathon that I organized to raise awareness for May 5th - remembering and honoring Hanna Harris and all MMIR and their families and advocates - we were able to donate $1800 to June to help secure rent for a couple extra months.
June hopes to raise as much funds as possible to purchase a trailer, double wide, or rent a large enough apartment/home to secure a safe place for her family. I would love to try to raise enough to help them purchase a home, so that they have something to have for themselves for forever. This is one of many ways we can support Victoria and honor her memory. This is one of many ways to show up for the family who don't ever stop fighting for justice and always finding ways to survive, mourn, feel all the emotions, and raise the kids.
Please consider donating! Your help is much appreciated. I know June appreciates it too and was really happy with the funds she received in May. Lila wopila tanka - many thanks!
