Overdose Awareness Honoring & Memorial

On August 31st, 2026, in collaboration with Indigenous Protector Movement (IPM) Pow Wow Grounds and NACDI the community gathered in the Powwow Grounds parking lot in Minneapolis, MN on Franklin Avenue to remember, honor and memorialize loved ones lost to overdose.

The people gathered were met with a memorial song on a handdrum by Crow Bellecourt and Vin Dionne.

Followed by a prayer and words from Fred Desjarlait.

“We’re remembering our relatives. The ones that are still struggling today, the ones that are fighting that sickness, the ones that traveled on, that our connection remains forever with them.”

Judy Hartman then read off names of loved ones lost for the Overdose Awareness day event.

“I wanted to create a safe space for us to honor each and every one of you. The grief you carry, and the relatives you've lost.”

Followed by a performance by Jada Brown at this Honoring and Memorial for this year's Overdose Awareness day

 “How we as relatives and survivors can step in, as we do everyday, to step in for our nieces, nephews, grandkids, and friends' kids, to step in to support them through their life and their dreams and passions.”

and a poem by Isavela Lopez.

“I don’t think it’s right that so many times it's the people we love the most, that don't have an outlet to really understand who they are, are the ones who ended up falling.”

The event memorialized those lost in a positive and meaningful way to further remind the community that their loved ones still live on with them. Thank you to everyone who attended to honor and memorialize their loved ones lost to overdose.