Most of us woke up Monday morning to the horrible news that there had yet again been a mass shooting in our country. Unfortunately this shooting touches all of our lives and just from talking to friends, we're not that many degrees of separation from the victims and survivors.
As reported by Native News Online, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez offer their condolences to the family of Lisa Romero-Muniz, a discipline secretary at Miyamura High School in Gallup, N.M., who was killed during the shooting in Las Vegas.
“Words cannot express our depth of sorrow for this senseless tragedy,” President Begaye said. “Lisa Romero-Muniz was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. We mourn her loss and pray for her family.”
Among the survivors is a young woman from the Lummi Nation, Melinda Brockie, who is the wife of Lummi Indian Business Council member Travis Brockie.
According to a statement given to the Bellingham Herald from her family, Melinda Brockie is recovering after emergency surgery. Her husband was at the hospital on Monday and other family members are heading to Las Vegas.
“Her family is grateful for your prayers and is thankful to the first responders, the surgeons and the nurses. Recovery is expected to be long,” said the statement.
The Cheyenne Nation also released a statement to commend the action of some of their tribal members who assisted the victims.
Shawnta Flatness (Northern Cheyenne,) is a registered nurse at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., who courageously helped triage victims. Ms. Flatness not only provided medical assistance, but also stayed with the severely wounded who required immediate medical attention.
Tony Chavez (Northern Cheyenne/Crow,) was also in attendance and bravely escorted victims to safety and assisted first-responders to load wounded victims into ambulances for over two hours.
Family has reported that both individuals are safe and were able to leave the scene uninjured.
These two Northern Cheyenne individuals have not only exemplified astounding compassion for complete strangers, but a profound level of heroism.
