The CTUIR Youth Council will perform at halftime of an upcoming Oregon Ravens professional women's football game.

MILWAUKIE, Ore. - A group of middle and high school students and tribal members, all from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), will perform at halftime at a May 4 women's football game in Portland.

The upcoming performance at the Oregon Ravens game honors the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) movement.

"The continuance to raise awareness for MMIWR and fight for justice is key to cultural preservation, and the survival of Indian people," said Ravens running back and linebacker Kola Shippentower, who is also a CTUIR momber. "The leaders within our Indigenous youth are also pivotal to this fight. Their acknowledgment of their responsibility is inspirational and admirable."

The MMIWR movement looks to end violence against Native women and draw attention to the high rates of murders of Native people.

Statistics show that four of five Native women have experienced violence and that Native women are twice as likely to experience violence in comparison to white women. 

The CTUIR Youth Council consists of students from Pendleton High School, Nixyaawii Community School, Helix High School, Athena Weston High School and Sunridge High School.

The Ravens are a part of the Women's National Football Conference and have been a team since its creation in 2019. Both it and the league are dedicated to the inclusion of women's sports through football.

The May 7 game against the Seattle Majestics takes place at 7 p.m. at Milwaukie High School. Doors open at 6 p.m.