Mika Matters
Mika Matters
We have some exciting news to share!
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Our girls story, our journey creating awareness for justice for our girl, and also bringing attention to the epidemic of MMIP/MMIR will be on the This American Life podcast.
The radio version starts airing at noon in Montana on NPR On Sunday April 13th. The podcast version on This American Life will upload at 7pm on the website and all other streaming platforms.
This is a huge platform to continue to share our girls story and to reach the greater public about MMIP.
Please share!
Important Update to Mika's Case!
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A Lake County judge sentenced Sunny K. White to 10 years in Montana State Women's prison without parole for killing Mika Westwolf in a hit-and-run in 2023.
It's the maximum sentence under a plea deal reached with state prosecutors in November.
White cannot be paroled for all 10 years of her prison sentence, followed by a 20-year suspended sentence during which she will remain on parole. If she violates her release conditions during that time, she can be sent back to prison.
"Guilt is a powerful thing," Carissa HeavyRunner, Mika's mother, told a crowd outside the courthouse. "I wouldn't just let my daughter be forgotten. We did what we came here to do today." "The only way we can be healed is to be seen and to be heard," she added. "To speak our truth, hear our truth. No one can tell it better than us."
Many of Mika’s family members gave emotional testimony, advocating for the longest possible sentence. Her grandfather George Heavy Runner said, “a precious limb has fallen from our family tree.”
In her remarks, Carissa called for change. She gestured to her young nieces in the audience. “I don’t want them to think their life doesn’t matter,” she said.
Several people mentioned White’s white nationalist ties, citing the names of her children, Aryan and Nation.
“You hurt our hearts and our spirit,” Mika’s cousin Thomas Combs said, looking at White. “This might be painful for you, but you have no idea – your children are still alive.”
Kim Paul, Mika’s adopted grandmother, addressed White directly. “Do you think yourself superior?” she asked. “Did you intentionally do this? We will never know. … Her family is owed justice, and Mika is owed her dignity.”
Kevin Howard, Mika’s father, spoke of discrimination in the criminal justice system.
“I don’t know of any white folks that have to go on marches and create a spectacle in order to receive justice,” he said, adding family members worked to investigate Mika’s death as they grieved.
Mika’s grandfather said he hopes this pursuit of justice inspires other Indigenous families “to not give up.”
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Mika Josephine Westwolf
Moht-ta-pai-yissaapii
"Everybody looks at her"
Mika Josephine Westwolf was killed on March 31st 2023 north of Arlee, MT by a driver in the early morning hours. We are in the process of seeking justice for Mika with the local authorities, whose cooperation has been frustrating, at best, so far.
Why are we seeking justice? Because Mika’s life mattered. She was a beautiful human being with so much to live for and contribute to this world for years to come.
This was an awful tragedy for our family. Mika’s hopes and dreams were taken away by this perpetrator who committed this crime. This person did not even brake or try to avoid hitting her. Instead, the person drove off and did not even try to provide any aid to our girl, leaving her on the side of the road.
We are thankful for all your support since we lost our girl. We couldn't give up. We couldn't stop. We would not let this be another story of “just another dead Indian” or that she was somehow to blame for this atrocity. We would not allow Mika to become another unsolved MMIP case.
We are doing everything we can to support other families facing this tragedy and to raise public awareness about the systemic failures surrounding MMIP. Our lives matter as Native Americans.
Every missing or murdered person leaves behind family who love them and continue to grieve. For us, there is no closure. A person’s race, religion, social status, or life choices should never affect how their case is investigated. A victim’s worth should never depend on substance use. Everyone deserves justice. No one is perfect, yet too often we are reduced to a single moment instead of recognized for our full potential and humanity.
Our girl may be gone, but her memory will never fade. We will honor her memory by sharing her story and standing beside families who are still fighting for justice for their loved ones affected by the ongoing MMIP crisis.
Join the Mika Matters Facebook Group for the most recent updates on Mika's case