MMIW movie ‘Who She Is’ encore broadcast on PBS

“Who She Is” is a documentary about four Wind River women that are part of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman (MMIW) epidemic.  It will be broadcast again on Wyoming PBS Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 10 p.m. You may also watch it on the Create Channel on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. 

Sophie Barksdale from Caldera Productions is the co-producer and co-director of the documentary. She said it brings to life the lives of the women… Sheila, Lela, Jocelyn and Abbi. 

If you are a regular reader of this paper, you will be familiar with Jocelyn. She, along with her partner, Rudy, was murdered in 2019. A year later, Jocelyn’s sister Jade Wagon was found dead in a remote area. Their mother Nicole Wagon has become a huge advocate for MMIW and MMIP. 

I corresponded with Barksdale recently along with Cara Chambers, Director of Division of Victim Services in Wyoming. 

Barksdale shared the following: She believes the film has done so much to bring awareness and attention to the epidemic of MMIW.  It has opened doors for conversation in communities; communities that might not have otherwise engaged with the issue. By sharing the personal stories behind the statistics, the film has helped humanize a crisis that’s often discussed in abstract terms. Screenings across the country — from schools and universities to museums, from grassroots non-profits to corporate organizations to Tribal communities — have shown us that people are ready to listen, to learn and to act. Just as importantly, it’s encouraged audiences to see their role in advocating for meaningful policy change at all levels of government. The film has become a bridge between communities, fostering empathy and understanding, and empowering audiences to see that awareness is only the first step toward change - Awareness is powerful, but it must be paired with action to truly make a difference, and we must move forward into action together. 

In Barksdale’s opinion, the most meaningful thing people can do is to keep the conversation going, don’t let this issue slide into the background. Share the film, host community screenings, and invite Indigenous voices into those discussions, make space at the table. Support local and national organizations working to address MMIW and listen to the families and advocates leading this movement. Push for meaningful policy change — locally, statewide, and nationally — to improve data collection, law enforcement response, and support systems for Indigenous families. This issue requires not only compassion but also sustained commitment and political will. She truly believes that change happens when awareness turns into sustained engagement — whether that’s through education, policy advocacy, or simply ensuring these stories are never forgotten.

The stories in the film are of real women. Ones that were daughters, mothers and sisters. They deserve to be remembered with dignity and love. They are the heart of this film. This is not just an Indigenous issue, it is an American issue. The film is not the end of the story. It is part of a larger movement toward justice and healing. Every person who listens, learns and shares becomes a part of that work. 

#RememberTheirNames Sheila, Lela, Jocelyn, Abbi.