Alerts & Actions
Fatal Hit & Run Incident Near Arlee Deserves Investigation as Hate Crime
CONTACT
Angelina González-Aller, angelina@mhrn.org
Cherilyn DeVries, cherilyn@mhrn.org
Last week, multiple Flathead-area community members reported to MHRN that an Indigenous woman was murdered by an alleged White nationalist. According to community reports, the White nationalist intentionally ran down the Indigenous woman with a vehicle.
Based on these details and the name of the victim, MHRN found media reports detailing the death of Mika Westwolf, who was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle on Highway 93 near White Coyote Road on March 31st. The Montana Highway Patrol is currently investigating the incident. Community members also provided MHRN with the name of the alleged perpetrator, Sunny White. In further research, MHRN came across information that lent credibility to claims that Sunny White ascribes to extremist, White nationalist ideology.
Photo: Mika Westwolf
A Missing Endangered Person Advisory issued by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement details that White had been charged with vehicular homicide earlier this month, and her children were removed from her care. The alert also announced White broke into a Butte residence and illegally took her children. Her children’s names clearly indicate her support for white nationalist ideals. Her four-year-old daughter is named “Aryan,” and her two-year-old son is named “Nation.”
Since the investigation is ongoing, there are still many unanswered questions. One of those questions is whether this murder was premeditated, as some claim. A current rumor is that White told the arresting officer that she had come to the Flathead Reservation to kill an Indigenous person. MHRN is unable to verify that accusation at this time. However, we know without a doubt that, when White nationalists decide to act on their beliefs, Indigenous, Black, people of color, and Jewish, and LGBTQ+ Montanans are targeted. Therefore, we call on the Montana Highway Patrol to fully investigate this murder, including White’s possible motivations, and for prosecutors to pursue hate crimes charges if they apply.