Join us for MMIW Awareness Day to learn more about the murdered & missing Indigenous women crisis. Our guest speaker this year is Kola Shippentower.

Speaker bio:
My name is Kola Shippentower Thompson. My indian name is "Tumhiya". I'm from Nixyaawii country, in Eastern Oregon. I'm an enrolled tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. I'm 32 years old, a Gemini & an Enneagram 3W2. I'm married with 3 boys. I'm a professional fighter in MMA, with a Brown Belt in BJJ under Professors Gustavo Pries & Jeremy Harrington, from Siri BJJ. I'm a Turn Up Dance Fitness Instructor, teaching since April 2020. Most notably, I'm an advocate for MMIW/R. As a survivor of domestic violence & sexual assault, I created & developed a safety plan in hopes of decreasing & minimizing the statistics of violence against Indigenous Women. As founder of the Wisawca Project, it is my goal to empower & uplift not only Indigenous Women but everyone & anyone willing to advocate for growth & change, in regards to fighting this rising epidemic.

For accommodations related to a disability, please contact: luhui.whitebear@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-9036.