Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag “They Will Be Remembered Forever” MMIWg2S Reward Fund

Indigenous Women, girls, and Two Spirit people are far more likely to experience violence, be murdered, or go missing than other demographic groups in Minnesota. Although Indigenous Women make up just 1% of the state’s population, from 2010 through 2018, 8% of all murdered women and girls in Minnesota were Indigenous. Between 2012 and 2020, 27 to 54 Indigenous Women, girls, and Two Spirit people were missing in any given month. (See Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force, A report to the Minnesota Legislature, by Nicole Martin Rogers and Virginia Pendleton, Wilder Research, December 2020).

On January 10, 2022, the Duluth City Council unanimously approved the resolution for City officials to partner with Mending the Sacred Hoop and the Native Lives Matter Coalition for a reward fund for information regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit people in the Twin Ports. On January 14, 2022, the Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag “They Will Be Remembered Forever” Reward Fund was created. All funds raised will directly benefit the Reward Fund Program and will be used to encourage those with information on the missing to report.

In August of 2015, Sheila St Clair went missing from Duluth, MN. Last seen in the 100 block of West 3rd Street, she is still being sought by her family, friends, and relatives. This is an open case with the Duluth Police Department. The investigation continues, but over 6 years later, Sheila St Clair has not been found.

The Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Fund was conceived in her honor, and to assist in bringing Sheila and others home. Anyone with information on Sheila St. Clair should contact the Duluth Police Department’s Violent Crime Unit: 218-730-5050.

Donations to the Fund by check can be sent to: Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag c/o Woodlands National Bank, 240 North Road, Cloquet, MN 55720.