CSVANW September 2018 Newsletter

September 2018 Newsletter

In awareness of National Suicide Prevention Month, CSVANW encourages everyone to stay connected to your community.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and throughout the month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.

As a part to promoting suicide prevention awareness, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is sharing a blog submission from We R Native about ways you can get involved in spreading awareness and prevention during Suicide Prevention Week from September 9 - 15, 2018. Some of the ways you can spread suicide prevention is "by paying attention to warning signs, talking about the 'unthinkable,' getting connected with family, friends and our culture - we may be able to help a friend in a time of need."

We also acknowledge that prevention comes in many forms and in this knowledge we encourage you to re-share/comment on our posts & articles on social media, joining us at community events, and reading our blog submissions that originate and emulate support, cultural competency and resiliency.

YOUTH SUICIDE: WHAT TO DO & HOW TO HELP

NAOMI JIRON

The topic of suicide is challenging, especially for young people experiencing suicidal ideation. There are a variety of reasons for this.

First, there's the stigma surrounding suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.

Let's break that down a bit more by looking at the definitions for each term. Suicide refers to the act of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally. Suicidal ideation is thinking about suicide, especially in the context of considering suicide or creating a suicide plan. Self-harm is intentionally harming oneself through various methods, most commonly through self-mutilation or other physical harm.

CLICK HERE to keep reading.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK

CELENA McCRAY of WE R NATIVE

Suicide is a troubling topic that most of us would rather not deal with, but suicide is a reality, and it is more common than we would like to think. By paying attention to warning signs, talking about the "unthinkable," getting connected with family, friends and our culture - we may be able to help a friend in a time of need.

Each September you can join We R Native in supporting National Suicide Prevention Month and this year's Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-15, 2018.

CLICK HERE to keep reading.

THIS PLACE IS DIFFERENT

ALERGA ROYBAL

CSVANW SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT COORDINATOR

This place is different. I started my first day at CSVANW on August 10 th , 2018 when the morning air was still warm and schools buses started running. I knew this place was different when I sat down for my first team meeting and we started with body stretches. Our Executive Director noted that this work is difficult and we can often become disconnected from our bodies, so anything we can do to reconnect with ourselves is important.

CLICK HERE to keep reading.

VALENCIA SHELTER SERVICES JOINS CSVANW MEMBERSHIP

CSVANW is excited to announce Valencia Shelter Services

is now a CSVANW member. Please join us in welcoming another partner in the movement to end violence!

Valencia Shelter Services is an advocacy organization providing comprehensive services in a trauma informed environment to individuals and families in crisis in Valencia County, NM.

Wrapping families in services and safety is our highest priority. VSS Provides individuals and families the opportunity to heal in a safe environment with our highly trained staff and client-centered approach.

"We serve all of Valencia County residents and beyond. Often, we have clients fleeing abuse come to us from other counties, states, and sometimes countries. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse knows no boundaries of race, age, socioeconomic status, religion, gender, ability, or any other characteristic that defines us. You can learn more about our domestic violence services, sexual assault program, and child advocacy services by contacting us at 505-565-3100."

MEET OUR NEW SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT COORDINATOR

CSVANW is pleased to announce Alegra Roybal has been hired as our new Sexual Violence Project Coordinator.

We are thrilled to have Alegra on board to take our sexual violence project initiatives further. Alegra is from Pojoaque, New Mexico. She received her BA in English and Feminist and Gender Studies from Colorado College. She has been doing anti-oppression work since 2010 in both Colorado and New Mexico, working specifically with survivors of trauma. She spent three and a half years at the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico and is looking forward to using her skills at the Coalition.

MEET OUR NEW MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

CSVANW is pleased to announce Curtison Badonie, Diné, has been hired as our new Media & Communications Coordinator. We are eager to have Curtison take on CSVANW's overall external and internal communication efforts.

Curtison is Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People clan) and is originally from Blue Gap, Arizona, a rural community that sits at the heart of the Diné reservation. Out of the office, Curtison spends his time reading books/comics, watching movies/tv shows, listening to music, sleeping, eating, biking, more eating and referencing and watching VINE videos.

MEET OUR NEW OFFICE COORDINATOR

CSVANW is pleased to announce Latonya Williams, Diné, has been hired as our new Office Coordinator.

Latonya is originally from Gallup, NM, but has lived in Albuquerque for almost 20 years. She enjoys spending time with her family and she enjoys going to rodeos. She is passionate about her background and her Navajo culture. She fully supports the movement to stop violence against all Native People. She has a BA in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico.

MEET OUR NEW PROJECT & MEDIA ASSISTANT

CSVANW is pleased to announce Chelsea Quintana, Cochiti/Jemez Pueblo, has been hired as our new Project & Media Assistant.

We are happy that Chelsea will provide us project, event and administrative support to our overall training and education efforts. Chelsea is passionate about the safety and well-being of animals and the movement to end violence against women and children. Chelsea attended Central New Mexico College where she obtained an associate degree in Psychology. She then continued her education at the University of New Mexico to receive a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.

CLICK HERE to meet the rest of the staff of CSVANW.

CSVANW 2017 IMPACT REPORT

In 2017, CSVANW trained and provided education to over 5,735 professionals and community members throughout the region in the fields of advocacy, law enforcement, prosecution, victim assistance and child safety. We supported the launch an incredibly successful partnership with New Mexico Legal Aid and other community partners on the statewide LGBTQ+ Legal Access Project, "Safe to Be You!" which provides holistic civil legal services to LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The project especially focuses on services to LBTQ+ survivors living in New Mexico's rural and Native American communities.

To read more of the impact report CLICK HERE.

To download CSVANW 2017 Impact Report CLICK HERE.

2nd YOUNG INDIGENOUS QUEERS RETREAT - August 3 - 4, 2018

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) hosted the 2nd Annual Young Indigenous Queers Retreat (YIQR) at the Native American Community Academy Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Indigenous gender queer youth between the ages of 16-25 years old have been invited to the YIQR to strategize on how to break the cycle of violence amongst Native womyn, children, and LGBTQ2S+ populations in tribal communities. TIQR is a space where critical dialogues can occur in an environment that fosters these conversations and actions in addition to holding space for a needed debriefing on trauma and healing.

YIQR had workshops and presentation that covered a variety of topics including reproductive justice, LGBTQ health, intergenerational trauma, safer sex, and Transgender 101.

YIRQ was made possible through generous foundations, community partnerships and sponsorship through the University of New Mexico LGBTQ Resource Center, the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, the New Mexico Health Equity Partnership, and Solace Crisis Treatment Center.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Young Indigenous Queers Retreat.

CSVANW AT THE 97TH SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET

SANTA FE, NM

Our Membership & Outreach Coordinator, Angel Charley, our Native Youth Coordinator, Keioshiah Peter, and our Media & Communications Coordinator, Curtison Badonie, all tabled at the 97th Santa Fe Indian Market on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

We were glad that many folks approached us to learn more about our work and how they can join the movement. In addition, we had conversation with folks about how to eliminate violence in our Native Communities.

CSVANW ATTTENDS 2018 OVW TRIBAL CONSULTATION

SIOUX FALLS, SD

Our Executive Director, Deleana OtherBull, our Training & Development Manager, Kim Benally, and attended the 2018 OVW Tribal Consultation in Sioux Falls, SD, on August 21 - 22, 2018.

Deleana and Kim attended OVW Tribl Consultation with Gilbert Vigil, Executive Director, of Eight Northen Indian Pueblos Council, Inc., and with Governor J. Michael Chavarria of Pueblo of Santa Clara.

This two day Tribal Consultation included a half day of interactive conversation, as Tribes expressed interest in having open discussions between federal and tribal leaders.

CSVANW BOARD & MEMBER MEETING

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Thank you to our board members, members and organization members for attending our quartly meeting on August 24, 2018. We were glad that our members got to hear CSVANW's updates and what we got planned. We also appreciated our memebrs for giving us updates and planned events from their organizations and communities.

Our Native Youth Coordinator, Keioshiah Peter, gave a presentaion on "Engaging Tribal Communities through Social Media," and our Sex Trafficking Project Coordinator, Cheyenne Antonio, gave a presentation on "Sex Trafficking in Tribal Communities" to our members.

For more information about CSVANW Membership CLICK HERE.

2018 NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT CONFERENCE

ANAHEIM, CA

Our Executive Director, Deleana OtherBull, and our Training & Development Manager, Kim Benally, attended the 2018 National Sexual Assualt Conference in Anaheim, CA on August 29 - 31, 2018.

Our CSVANW staff was honored to be sponsored to attend the national leadership roundtable for Native American and First Nations Communities.

The National Sexual Assault Conference is a three-day conference providing advanced training opportunities for victim advocates and other professionals working to prevent sexual violence, provide critical intervention services and support those who have experienced sexual violence. With the issue of sexual assault garnering more attention than ever before in the last 40 years, this conference takes place at a time when it is necessary to highlight the solutions toward ending sexual violence.

'There's so much more of a spectrum' - Navajo Times (8/16/18)

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

August 16, 2018: "May beauty surround you wherever you go," "hózhó náhásdlíí'," are among the first words at many gatherings. Throughout the 2nd annual Young Indigenous Queers Retreat held Aug. 3 and 4, Native youth received an extended version of this ancestral bless- ing, 'May safety surround you, wherever you go!' Hosted by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, the retreat explored ways LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit, plus additional communities) youth can stay safe in a society that is often hostile towards them.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

THANK YOU

TO OUR CHANGE MAKERS

AUGUST 2018 DONORS

Keith Pryor

Usa Backonja

Tonya Jones

Angela Lindley

Sierra Oliver

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Gail Starr

Alexandria Taylor

Erma Trujilo

Amber Morningstar Byars

Clorine Driver

Winona Dan

Monica Candelaria

GIVING BACK:CSVANW RECEIVES CHARITABLE ONGOING DONATION

PHOENIX, AZ

We are excited to announce that, Phoenix-based company JP Digs & Co. will be donating 10% of all of their sales to CSVANW! JP Digs & Co. specializes in desert lifestyle and rustic custom designs for home goods, garden and life in the Phoenix area. We are very humbled to be a part of their charitable giving program.

"For the year 2018, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of items sold on this website and our public events will go to support this remarkable organization. You can be assured each time you shop with JP Digs & Co., you too will be doing your part to stop violence against Native American women and we cannot thank you enough." JP Digs & Co.

To learn more about JP Digs & Co., or to shop, click here!