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.