MINNEAPOLIS — The sound of metal cones striking against hand-sewn dresses echoed through a quiet residential street as Native American dancers, singers, and community members gathered in a solemn round dance ceremony to honor the lives of two Minneapolis residents whose deaths have shaken the city.
More than one hundred participants assembled on February 1, 2026, to remember Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old writer and mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse.
Both were fatally shot in separate incidents involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier in January, events that have drawn national attention and ongoing public concern.
The ceremony began near the location where Good was killed on January 7.
Participants performed a traditional round dance, a cultural practice rooted in unity, prayer, and collective healing.
The gathering later moved approximately one and a half miles to the site where Pretti was fatally shot on January 24.
Activist Star Ishkode Downwind, a member of the Red Lake Nation, said the gathering was intended to show solidarity with families and communities affected by immigration enforcement actions.
She emphasized the importance of standing together during what she described as a difficult time for many residents.
Spiritual leader Sharyl WhiteHawk, of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Nation, offered songs and prayers during the ceremony.
She said the moment called for spiritual strength and collective support, noting that the community must rely on prayer and tradition during periods of grief and uncertainty.
Community leader Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, explained that the red shawls and clothing worn by participants symbolized solidarity and remembrance.
She said the gathering was not only about honoring Good and Pretti but also about reinforcing unity and healing across communities.
Also addressing attendees was Tara Geshik, secretary-treasurer of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.
She reflected on the lives and contributions of both Good and Pretti, describing them as individuals who made meaningful impacts in their community.
She encouraged those present to honor their memory through compassion, kindness, and collective responsibility.
Participants carried signs expressing calls for justice and safety, while traditional drumming and singing continued throughout the event.
The ceremony concluded near the commercial area where Pretti was fatally shot, with dancers and drummers performing a final song associated with remembrance and resilience.
Pretti worked as a nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, where he cared for patients including military veterans.
Good was widely known in her community as a writer and devoted mother.
Their deaths remain under investigation, and their families and supporters continue to call for transparency and accountability.
For many who attended, the ceremony was both a memorial and a message.
Through prayer, music, and tradition, the community honored two lives lost while affirming a commitment to healing, unity, and remembrance.
