The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) will host a webinar to summarize key national concerns and emerging issues for Tribal leaders and representatives to consider in advance of the 18th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. Please join us for this preparatory webinar this summer.
Out of all women in Hawaii, Native Hawaiian women face the highest percentage rates of domestic violence and sex trafficking. In order to address this violence, the Pouhana O Nā Wāhine was founded. The Pouhana O Nā Wāhine (PONW) is a Native Hawaiian 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as the statutorily created Native Hawaiian Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NHRCDV) under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). The PONW is committed to reducing disparities across the five counties of Hawai’i and the seven populated islands. PONW’s vision is dedicated to restoring the Native Hawaiian way of life rooted in Native Hawaiian beliefs, practices and ceremonies as our Indigenous relatives have done stateside. PONW’s mission is to provide technical assistance and training, partner at the community, state and national levels, and develop policies and resources to prevent, intervene and eliminate domestic violence and help survivors and their families increase their safety. This webinar will introduce the PONW and their work to implement the NHRCDV over the next five years . In addition, they will share the history of Native Hawaiians, and their unique relationship with the federal government which is rooted in colonization and violence reflected in U.S.’ policies and practices. In 1993, the United States issued an apology to Native Hawaiians and recognized how colonization had impacted economic and social changes across the islands and in 2016 the Department of Interior released “Procedures for Reestablishing a Formal Government to Government Relationship with the Native Hawaiian Community” which affirmed the foundation of trust responsibilities for the federal government to the Native Hawaiian population. The formation of PONW as a resource center to address violence against Native Hawaiian women is fundamental to protecting Native Hawaiian women.
Domestic and sexual violence (DSV) can have significant effects on one’s health and well-being, including increased risks related to trauma and substance use. In addition to using substances to cope with trauma, survivors may also be coerced to use substances, face increased violence if they do not use substances, and have their attempts to engage in treatment and recovery sabotaged by a partner or ex-partner – all tactics of substance use coercion. This session will demonstrate Accessible, Culturally Responsive, and Trauma-Informed (ACRTI) approach to supporting survivors experiencing trauma and substance use coercion. About the Speaker Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, is the Director of Policy and Practice for Domestic Violence and Substance Use at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, as well as faculty at The University of Chicago, where they coordinate the Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor certification program. Gabriela brings over 15 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and other trauma, as well as people impacted by housing instability, HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions; providing direct services, training, advocacy, and consultation; and leading programs using trauma-informed approaches, Motivational Interviewing, harm reduction, gender-responsive care, Housing First, and third-wave behavioral interventions. Gabriela has been recognized with the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group’s 2018 Health Award and the 2017 Rising Star Award from the Illinois chapter of National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Gabriela provides training and technical assistance related to serving marginalized communities impacted by trauma and other social determinants of health nationally and internationally.
Tillie Black Bear (Sicangu Lakota) was a mother, grandmother, activist, and advocate for bringing awareness to domestic violence. She is considered the grandmother of the movement to end violence against Indigenous women, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. In 1978, Tillie was the first Indigenous woman to organize and testify before Congress bringing awareness to the violence against Indigenous women. She led the charge in advocating for Congress to exercise the Federal trust responsibility to assist Indian Tribes in protecting Indigenous women. Because of her grassroots advocacy with many others, we have the changes in federal laws and policies reflected in the reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000, 2005, and 2013. Tillie also organized and hosted healing camps to support the healing process for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and talk about their stories in a space that was supportive and safe. It is in this spirit that NIWRC is pleased to continue Tillie’s legacy by offering seasonal virtual healing camp sessions. About the Speaker The NIWRC policy team will be joined by Ms. Lucille Grignon, Stockbridge-Munsee, who will discuss her homestead project, Planting Seeds in the Community, and how it fueled her healing journey, in addition to how she uses it to help others.
During this webinar, we will discuss the importance of Indigenous Women in Leadership in ending intimate partner violence (IPV) against our Indigenous relatives. We will take a glimpse into the host of roles Indigenous women fulfill in strengthening and protecting communities. These accounts will extend to cultural teachings, knowledge keeping, and Indigenous advocacy, in addition to the perseverance, resilience, and strength that are needed to navigate Western colonial space. And lastly, we will discuss how all Indigenous women have the perspective to become agents of change in working to strengthen sovereignty, end gender-based violence, and revitalize and sustain a culture for our Indigenous futures.
In this webinar, we will be discussing how youth advocates can address teen dating violence in Tribal communities. This topic includes available tools and resources for Native youth, defining violent versus healthy relationships, and empowering the next generation through Indigenous values. This webinar is proudly hosted as part of the https://www.niwrc.org/nativelove. About the Speaker Jovita Belgarde (she/they) is from the Ohkay Owingeh and Isleta Pueblos of New Mexico and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Nation of North Dakota. She is passionate about working with Native youth and making positive social change in Native communities. Jovita received their B.A. in Criminology from the University of New Mexico and received their Prevention Specialist Certification from the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals. Jovita is a board member of Breath of My Heart Birthplace. They have worked in the prevention field for eight years prior to coming to NIWRC, working with Native youth doing violence prevention, suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention, and experiential education.
Indigenous youth find themselves on the streets for a multitude of reasons. The causes and consequences of life on the street are well known and include a troubled family life, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, trauma, inadequate housing, poverty, substance use, mental health issues and involvement in the child welfare system. Just like Indian boarding schools, child protection is rooted in colonization as it continues to remove children from their communities rather than providing the necessary programs and services to keep families together to care for their children. States would rather pay foster parents or group homes or institutions to disrupt families than providing financial support to families. This webinar will not only focus on what led to their housing status, it will look at how some Indigenous youth were able to move off the streets. It will also explore prevention strategies and what can be done to prevent youth homelessness, such as: keeping families intact; incorporating traditional and cultural practices; training social workers in the child welfare system; creating housing opportunities, ensuring safety and addressing the effects of colonization on Indigenous families and communities.
This webinar considers questions key to making survivors of intimate partner violence safe: What is accountability? What about from the perspective of survivors? Who are the offenders? Who has responsibility for holding offenders accountable? What do comprehensive, culturally based offender accountability programs look like? What are the resources needed to create a system that holds offenders accountable, and also support change for them to become respectful relatives? Please join us for this important discussion.
Long COVID (or post-COVID) conditions are impacting nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau study analyzed by the CDC and released in June of this year. Long COVID symptoms range from fatigue, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, cognitive difficulties, chronic pain, sensory abnormalities, and muscle weakness. They can be debilitating, lasting for weeks to months after recovery from the initial infection. In some cases, people suffer from severe, long COVID symptoms despite a mild, initial infection. In this Community Conversation, we discuss what the experts and survivors are experiencing and how this impacts Native communities, advocacy, and anti-violence work. We will hear from a Native physician, treating long COVID patients, a Native epidemiologist, and long COVID survivors who are also survivors of violence and advocates themselves. Guests Dr. Stephanie Hubbard McGirt | Physician at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, NM Dr. Anthony Fleg | Physician at the University of New Mexico Department of Family and Community Medicine Tiffany Jiron | Policy Director, Former Advocate Coordinator at Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) Celina Hokeah | Women’s Leadership and Economic Freedom Program Hosts Chasity Salavador | CSVANW Advocate and Long COVID Survivor Marquel Musgrave | COVID TA Specialist at NIWRC
This webinar provides an opportunity to challenge each other to think about how colonized thinking, and subsequent internalized oppression impacts us as advocates. How can our Indigenous beliefs inform our advocacy? What does it mean to re-Indigenize our relationships with survivors and the way we do advocacy? This conversation will help us examine if our practices are consistent with our Indigenous beliefs and lifeways, and how to make positive change. This supports our work restoring the integrity and status of women as sacred. About the Panelist Karen Artichoker is a citizen/member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and is very proud also of her HoChunk roots. She worked for many years with the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault assisting Tribes in developing domestic violence shelters and system response. She is a founding mother and former Management Team Director for Cangleska, Inc., a domestic violence/sexual assault program that operated for over a dozen years on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. After leaving Cangleska, Ms. Artichoker updated her work experience in the fields of addiction and mental health. She also completed the coursework and hour requirements for addiction counselor certification and has been attending graduate school to obtain a degree in Clinical Mental Health. Her career and life passion has been focused on ending violence against native women and developing opportunities that will enable and support native Peoples and Tribes in reclaiming the best of who we are individually and collectively.
In close collaboration with our National Partners, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) developed a Six Point Action Plan, see link. Point Six recognizes that both land and Indigenous women are sacred and connected, and that both require legislative and policy actions to protect them from extractive industries and corporate interests, such as the passage of the Save Oak Flat legislation, HR 1884/S.915. In this CWTF, the NIWRC policy team cordially invites you to have a focused discussion about the direct correlation of land and sacred sites with the safety of Indigenous women and culture as a protective factor. The CTWF will also include important discussions around creating an action plan highlighting the concrete steps you plan to take to support Indigenous communities into the future. About the Speaker: Rose “Loke” Pettigrew moved from the island of Oahu to the island of Molokai 31 years ago to live on the land where her kupuna (elders/ancestors) lived during ancient times. She stayed home raise her two children and when her youngest keiki (child) started school, she took classes at the local community college. Rose is a social service assistant with the Family Court of the Second Court, State of Hawaii. She’s worked for The Judiciary on Molokai for 21 years. She is also a DV advocate at the only DV shelter on the island of Molokai. She’s worked at the shelter for nine (9) years providing individual services, case management, support groups, etc. Rose is Pouhana O Na Wahine (Pillar of Women) President of the Board of Directors and Native Hawaiian Domestic Violence Advocate.
STTARS- Indigenous Safe Housing Center at NIWRC was created to address the intersection of housing instability/homelessness and domestic violence. This session will introduce the Center, the importance of our work, our approach, and upcoming events and activities. We will provide information about the National Workgroup for Safe Housing for American Indians and Alaska Native Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and share copies of the report. Our vision is “Safe Housing for All Our Relatives.”
This presentation is an introductory webinar on how the cisgender and heterosexual community can be more supportive of the LGBTQ2S+ community and proactive in IPV prevention. This prevention will also highlight how Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is intimately and intricately connected to colonial violence against Indigenous Peoples. Charlie Amáyá Scott will also share their understanding of Indigenous feminism and how we, as Indigenous relatives, can be allies in preventing IPV against our LGBTQ2S+ relatives. Speaker Bio: Charlie Amáyá Scott is a Diné (Navajo) scholar born and raised within the central part of the Navajo Nation. Charlie reflects, analyzes, and critiques what it means to be Queer, Trans, and Diné in the 21st century on their personal blog, http://dineaesthetics.com, while inspiring joy and justice to thousands on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. They are a doctoral student at the University of Denver with research interests in the intricacies and intimacies of settler colonialism, social media, and higher education.
The MMIW crisis in America is not just the result of the failures of our criminal justice system, it is a result of systemic violations of indigenous women’s human rights. The presentation will review the international legal framework applicable to MMIW and other forms of violence committed against indigenous women. We will look closely at the two key human rights instruments that are specific to indigenous peoples—the UN and American Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Both Declarations create minimum legal standards and obligations that countries must observe in their dealings with indigenous peoples. The rights affirmed in these Declarations include the right of self-determination, rights to lands and resources, and the right of indigenous women and children to be protected against violence. We will also discuss how recent actions by the UN Human Rights Council recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment can impact our work in this field. Finally, the session will share information about the work Native women, tribes, and organizations have done using the international and regional human rights systems to advance indigenous women’s rights and offer information about how you can get involved in these efforts.
A focused panel discussion led by Michelle Demmert on work being done to combat the current crisis of trafficking and MMIWG in Alaska. The panel will highlight AKNWRC’s partnerships with organizations and the collective work they do together utilizing each other’s http://strengths.we will look at AKNWRC’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: An Action Plan for Alaska Native Communities. The spotlight will also look at state and federal law and policy that affect the crisis of MMIWG and innovative work happening in Alaska.
Nā leo mana: Paepae ʻia Nā Wahine Maoli Nā mea ola o ka ʻino weliweli kūloko ʻohana pau pū me nā luapoʻi nalowale a i ʻole make This webinar will give a voice to survivors, fallen victims and their ohana as Missing and Murdered Native Hawaiian Women remains a form of violence and oppression that was introduced and implemented by foreigners or non-Native Hawaiians to control and silence Native Hawaiian women. Furthermore, we will share how prostitution and sex trafficking negatively impacts the Hawaiian community by sexualizing cultural practices and viewing women as property, which is not a belief held by Native Hawaiians.
Join NIWRC, our partners, and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women as we start our National Week of Action with our prayers for healing, safety, and justice for Indigenous women, our families and nations. Our prayers root us firmly in our Indigenous identities, customs and traditions that have survived and thrive in the face of colonization and genocide. Our prayers ensure we honor Indigenous women who are respected and held sacred within our nations and have been missing and/or been murdered. Our prayers also guide our advocacy to remove the systemic barriers and restore women’s sacred status. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) invites you to learn more about the complex and ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. The current systemic response to violence against Native women is inadequate and the rate at which we are losing our women is devastating to our tribal communities and to the Nation as a whole. Insufficient resources and lack of clarity on jurisdictional responsibilities have exacerbated efforts to locate those who are missing. The federal Indian legal framework is complex and creates many barriers for victims and Tribes working to protect their citizens. Moreover, resources are scarce and culturally appropriate services are practically non-existent. Please join us as we listen to victim-survivors and family members, victim service providers, Tribal judges, and members of Congress discuss national policy issues and recommendations in support of Tribal Nations to enhance safety for Native women.
Rape, domestic violence, trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: Several new studies clearly show that climate change plays a critical role in the increase of gender-based violence across our Earth Mother. A recent report by CARE found that “in most disasters, women and girls are worst affected.” This is especially true in developing countries and Indigenous communities. Climate change will continue to spur weather-related disasters, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, extreme weather, and other consequences, and it will lead to higher rates of violence. In responding to the alarming increase in climate change, it is important to understand the connections to gender-based violence in addressing the future of our planet. The fight against climate change should not only be a struggle for the future of our planet, but it is also an urgent call to address the safety and well-being of our women and girls. Please join us for this timely and critical webinar discussion with Faith Spotted Eagle as we prioritize the impact of the ensuing climate crisis and its interaction with gender-based violence.
World Water Day has been held every year since 1993 on March 22nd. World Water Day celebrates the importance of accessible fresh water and brings awareness to the 2 billion people living on this planet without access to safe water. World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and to advocate for the sustainability for our sacred water resources. As Indigenous people we know that water is life and that all life on this planet depends on it. Please join this important panel presentation and hear from three Indigenous Water Protectors on what they are doing to protect our sacred waters and to see how you can be involved in the protection of one of our most valuable resources. Please join Indigenous Water Protectors, Grandmother Mona Polacca (Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa) chair of the International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers; Sharon Day (Ojibwe) artist, playwright, water walker and activist; and Elder Kathy Sanchez, Wan Povi (Po-Who-Geh-Owingeh), Tewa Women United for this highly informative call to action to end violence against women and girls and our Earth Mother.
