We are so excited to be Medicine Forward Allies of the organization Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives of Utah!

We met founder Dee Platero at a luncheon in Salt Lake City where she presented an introduction to her organization.

MMIRUtah works to bridge four central barriers that perpetuate harm and invisibility for Indigenous relatives who are missing or murdered.

1.  Gaps in Established, Trusting Relationships - Historic and ongoing distrust between Indigenous communities and outside systems, including law enforcement and public agencies.

2. Economic and Social Vulnerabilities - Systemic poverty, housing insecurity and exposure to violence increase risk and reduce access to prevention and support.

3. Lack of access to Investigative Resources - Families and communities face barriers to real-time information, search technologies, and robust legal response. 

4. Gaps in Communication - Breakdowns in sharing timely, accurate information between families, law enforcement, and the public slow urgent action and justice.

As Medicine Forward Art Allies, Kathy and Chuck Castleton donate 20% of sales proceeds to MMIR Utah's work healing Indigenous families impacted by violence. Art as medicine, moving forward together—learn more at mmirutah.org.

We invite you to help the cause of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives.  You can donate at https://mmirutah.cheddarup.com/ .

Images in this post can be purchased by contacting [email protected]

The Springville Museum of Art (https://www.smofa.org/) has a Spiritual and Religious Exhibit every winter.  This year's show runs from October 15, 2025 to January 7, 2026.  Please come!  The opening reception and awards ceremony will be Wednesday, October 15 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the museum - 126 East 400 South Springville, Utah.  Light refreshments will be served.  

My painting entitled "Prayer" is included in the exhibit. 

Artist Bio -

Prayer 

Springville Spiritual and Religious Exposition

I’m honored to share the beauty and elegance of this Jingle Dress dancer at the Springville Spiritual and Religious Exhibition. My husband and I attend powwows to learn and to make friends with our Native relatives, and it was at the International Championship Powwow in Heber, Utah, that I first learned the history of the Jingle Dress dance. The dance was given in a dream to a grandfather who was deeply worried about his sick granddaughter. In that dream, four female spirit guides showed him how to make the Jingle Dress, the music to play, and the steps to dance.

Also known as a Prayer Dress, the Jingle Dress is adorned with rows of jingles that create their own rhythm. As dancers move to the beat of the drum, the sound pours out like rain, carrying blessings of healing and peace.

In my painting, I included spirit people to honor the bond we share with those who came before us and who remain present with us.

20% of proceeds from this piece support MMIR Utah's Medicine Forward campaign for healing and justice (mmirutah.org).

See you at the next powwow!

Here's a link to the museum visitor information:

https://www.smofa.org/