Starbucks Event Honors Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives in Bemidji

The south Bemidji Starbucks manager organized a community remembrance on November 26, 2025 to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives. The Season of Cheer event at 202 Shevlin Ave. SW featured a decorated tree bearing ornaments inscribed with the names of missing and murdered relatives, creating a visible public memorial at a central downtown location.

Organizers said the annual effort aims to connect people, offer conversation and support, and raise awareness about losses that have affected families across the region. The store displayed local Indigenous artwork and provided free hot beverages for attendees, and community members were able to make ornaments for the tree during the gathering. Manager Kate Boyd described her personal motivation for spearheading the program and said she hopes to expand the effort in future years.

The event took place in a county that serves several tribal nations, and organizers framed the public commemoration as a way to keep names and stories in community view. By creating a regular, visible reminder, the Season of Cheer program sought to reduce isolation for families and to prompt neighbor to neighbor conversations about safety, justice, and cultural remembrance.

Beyond the immediate comfort offered to participants, local advocates say public events can have broader civic implications. Remembrance gatherings can increase pressure on institutions to improve reporting and data collection, strengthen communication between tribal governments and local authorities, and encourage elected officials to address systemic concerns through policy and funding. For residents, the event offered a chance to engage directly with community efforts and to consider how public memory can translate into civic action.

As the program looks toward future iterations, organizers plan to build on local partnerships and artistic contributions. For many who attended, the tree and the ornaments provided a tangible acknowledgment of loss and a shared space for support, helping to keep conversations about missing and murdered relatives alive in public life.