Grand Forks to Host Events Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

Series of events leading up to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day includes sign-making, walk, and film screening.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 3:48am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing a blurred group of people walking together in a park, with soft, warm pools of light creating a sense of community and connection.The upcoming events in Grand Forks aim to create spaces for the community to come together, share resources, and heal in the face of the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.Grand Forks Today

The city of Grand Forks, North Dakota is organizing a series of events over the next few weeks to honor and remember missing and murdered Indigenous people. The events will culminate on May 5, which is recognized as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day, and will include a community sign-making session, a walk, and a film screening.

Why it matters

Indigenous communities have long faced disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearances, and murders, which has led to the establishment of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day to raise awareness and demand action. These events in Grand Forks provide an opportunity for the local community to come together, share resources, and participate in healing.

The details

The series of events will begin on April 19 with a sign-making session at Arts for Vets downtown, where people can create signs showcasing their passion for honoring missing and murdered Indigenous people. On May 2, there will be a walk starting at the Flood Monument, and on May 5, a short film will be shown. Organizers say the reason for having multiple events is to make the topic more memorable and accessible to those who may not be able to attend on a single day.

  • The sign-making event will take place on April 19.
  • The walk will be held on May 2.
  • The film screening will occur on May 5, which is recognized as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day.

The players

Jennifer Compeau

The event organizer who says the multiple events are designed to create spaces for people to connect, share resources, and heal together.

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What they’re saying

“It's important to create spaces for people to connect, share resources, heal together, and having multiple events allows people who might not be able to make it on one day to come to another.”

— Jennifer Compeau, Event Organizer

The takeaway

These events in Grand Forks demonstrate the community's commitment to honoring and remembering missing and murdered Indigenous people, providing opportunities for healing, awareness, and action on an issue that disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities.