Over Two Hundred Mendocino County Residents Gather in Ukiah to Celebrate Mural Depicting Round Valley’s Khadijah Britton

The newly installed mural depicting missing and potentially murdered Round Valley Woman Khadijah Britton [All pictures taken by Matt LaFever unless otherwise stated]

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.

Another view of the mural.

Putting pain on a hand so the handprint can join the others on the mural.

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.

Placing a handprint on Khadijah’s mural.

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.”

Mike Duncan, the CEO of Native Dad’s Network, encouraging male attendees to work to protect 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.

Round Valley Tribal President James Russ reciting a quote from Sitting Bull about protecting the weak.

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 standing along side Khadijah Britton’s grandfather Ronnie Hostler encouraging the community to stand up and help bring justice to Khadijah.

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.

Khadjih Britton’s grandfather Ronnie Hostler alongside over a dozen relatives of Khadijah.

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.

These Mendocino County youth volunteered to install the mural of Khadijah and they read out the names of other missing and murdered indigenous people.

Then 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 dancing. As sage smoke drifted across the parking lot, gusts of wind moved banners and feathers while chanting and drums moved the hearts of attendees.

Dancer at the ceremony.

Part of the ceremony.

Dancing at the ceremony