MVSKOKE RESERVATION – Painted Lady butterflies soared above the Okmulgee Community Garden after they were released by those who attended the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services’ Second Annual Butterfly Release. The event took place on April 9, during National Crime Victims Rights Week. At the ceremony, attendees were each handed a cup containing a butterfly to release in honor of those who lost their life to violent crime. A list of loved ones and family members were read off during remarks from event organizers. A traditional Cedar Blessing was available after the butterflies were released.
The butterflies released were Painted Ladies (Vanessa Cardui) from the Euchee Butterfly Farm, a common species found in North America. The butterfly release was just one of several events hosted by the department for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
MCN Center for Victim Services Outreach Coordinator MaCaylin Autaubo (Wichita) says the idea to include the butterfly release to April’s slate of events came from a colleague with a butterfly connection…