UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The family of Vanessa Niko, muralist Shane Grammer and the Hope Through Art Foundation are conducting a mural project for young artists in Upper Lake.

The mural is of Vanessa Niko, who was a member of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake as well as being of Samoan descent. Niko is a missing and murdered indigenous women “sister” because of being a victim of domestic violence.

The mural will be dedicated in honor of Niko’s life on National MMIW Day, Wednesday, May 5.

The dedication will take place at 12:30 p.m. at 9460 Main St. in Upper Lake

To honor Niko’s Pomo and Samoan heritage there will be a Pomo dance group and Kumu Hula Mikilani Young, a representative of United Pillars of Aloha, will be in attendance.

Following the dedication ceremony there will be a dinner and they will close out with a song and prayer.

For further information on this national epidemic of violence against indigenous women, go to www.mmiwusa.org.