Native News Online is creating an online memorial to honor and remember the Elders and Indigenous language speakers who have died from Covid-19.

Native News Online, a national news outlet serving Indian Country as well as urban Native Americans and Alaska Natives, is creating a memorial to remember the Elders and Indigenous language speakers who have died from Covid-19. Have you lost someone to coronavirus or work with families who have? You can help us honor and remember them by sharing their story with Native News Online.

If you lost an Indigenous Elder or language speaker to Covid-19 or work with families who have (or know of someone who passed away in your community), Native News Online wants to hear from you. Together we can share the stories of all our relations taken from our communities and nations far too soon.

Native News Online’s project, Remembering All Our Relations: Memorializing the Indigenous Elders We’ve Lost to Covid-19, aims to capture the loss felt throughout Indian Country. Why are we doing this? Because the loss of our Elders—the bearers of our languages and traditional ways—due to the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all of our communities both culturally and emotionally. They are more than just a number, and the implications of this is far too great to ignore. 

If you would like an Indigenous Elder or language speaker to be memorialized, here are some ways to reach us and share their story: 

Kyle Edwards (Anishinaabe from the Lake Manitoba First Nation) previously served as the managing editor of Native News Online.