CSVANW October 2018 Newsletter

October 2018 Newsletter

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

From CSVANW Executive Director - Deleana OtherBull

As we prepare for the change of seasons, many of our communities are also preparing for a month of awareness, community and connection.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) is a substantial public health concern within our tribal communities that can have overwhelming and lasting effects on our families and children. We know the numbers - the statistics - that nearly 84% of our Native women experience violence, with more than half being domestic violence related. And in 66% of domestic violence cases, our Native children are present.

We know that the cycles of violence are breaking all around us, as our communities come together to build awareness.

So for #DVAM, across our region, many of our tribal programs, service providers and partners are gearing up and holding uplifting and positive events to provide community-wide healing and awareness. They are holding wellness fairs and community runs. They are coming together in ceremony and sharing hope, food, love and resilience. They are creating spaces for our families to hold conversations and strengthen family connections.

Coalition family and friends, I hope that you will join us, and many of our CSVANW members, for our annual #IWillRunForHer community 5k and 1k kids run on October 6, 2018 in Albuquerque. Running is healing, it is ceremony and movement is medicine.

I also invite you to join us October 19, 2018 to honor those who have made significant contributions in the movement to end violence against Native women and children by attending our Annual Awards Gala and Auction.

Together, we are the movement. This movement is ceremony.

Join us this October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month #DVAM, as we support those who are breaking the cycles of violence and honor the resiliency of our tribal communities. CSVANW honors the resiliency that already exists in our communities.

#ViolenceIsNotOurTradition

#IWILLRUNFORHER

JARON KEE

Hey, everyone!

My name is Jaron, I'm a member of the Navajo Nation and a fourth-year medical student at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. I was raised in Crystal, NM. Growing up in a traditionally centered family, we were taught the importance of kinship from a young age. At the heart of this discussion was an emphasis on our intricate clan system. As Navajo people, we inherit our mother's clan. This highlights the role our mothers serve and also reaffirms our culture as a matrilineal society...

CLICK HERE to keep reading.

RUN FOR HER

DAVID ADAMS

Raising awareness for crimes against women in our communities is arguably one of the most powerful ways we can help reduce the disproportionate rates of violence.

I ran last year because my daughter should never have to ask why women and children are subjected to such a high risk of being hurt, emotionally or physically.

She should never have to endure cruel and abusive behavior, because its common, and therefore acceptable.

She should never have to sit in a room with her cousins/sisters and wonder which one of them will be a statistic.

CLICK HERE to keep reading.

MEET OUR NEW ADVOCATE COORDINATOR

CSVANW is pleased to announce Cecelia Westman has been hired as our new Advocate Coordinator.

We are thrilled to have Cecelia on board as our Advocate Coordinator. Cecelia is an activist, artist, mother, scholar, and herbalist who enjoys exploring outdoors and gardening. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and she holds two bachelor's degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Africana Studies. In the field of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Cecelia has worked in Prevention as an Outreach and Male Engagement Coordinator.

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

IMPLICATIONS & RESOURCES OF MINORS & SEX TRAFFICKING

September 20 - 21, 2018

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

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 learn more about trainings CLICK HERE

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE FOR TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT COALITION

September 11 - 13, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC

Our Membership & Outreach Coordinator, Angel Charley, Sexual Violence Project Coordinator, Alegra Roybal, and our Media & Communications Coordinator, Curtison Badonie, attended the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC)'s Leadership Institute for Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions in Washington, DC. Even with the impending hurricane on the East Coast, the team were able to meet other Coalitions doing work across the country to advocate for Indigenous women and children. The team learned hardships and successes, as well as tools they will use to continue their work in and around New Mexico.

NIWRC's PEER-TO-PEER TRAINING

September 26 - 28, 2018

HOGANSBURG, NY

Our Media & Communications Coordinator, Curtison Badonie, attended National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's (NIWRC) peer to peer training in Hogansburg, NY hosted by the Akwesasne Mohawk Tribe. This peer to peer training focused on the critical importance of incorporating cultural and trauma-informed approaches in tribal communities and offered participants hands on training and peer led activities to see how this vibrant, cultural and trauma-informed tribal nation is working to end violence in their community.

During the two-day training, participants met with tribal leadership, cultural and spiritual leaders, social services, child welfare program, law enforcement, court personnel, and emergency shelter and domestic violence service providers as well as tribal coalition staff. We also got a tour of the Akwesasne Cultural Center, the Freedom School and see how Akwesasne Mohawk tribe have incorporated their traditional knowledge and teachings to build a traditional, cultural and trauma-informed community.

3rd ANNUAL TRIBAL GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM SUMMIT

September 25 - 27, 2018

DENVER, CO

Our Training & Development Manager, Kim Benally, attended Mending the Sacred Hoop's 3rd Annual Tribal Governments Program National Summit in Denver, CO. The Summit focued on key issues and promising practices for Alaska Native Villages and Tribal Nations in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking; including methods and strategies to improve victim safety, offender accountability, and effective collaboration between tribal, federal, state governments and / or service providers.

The Summit also highlighted Tribal Sovereignty and the issue of Missing and Murdered in Indian Country, with workshops on criminal justice and advocacy responses, responding to children and youth impacted by domestic and sexual violence, and engaging men in the work to end violence against women and children.

OP-ED: Congress must prioritize Native women through legislation - The critical Violence Against Women Act is set to expire at the end of this month.

DELEANA OTHERBULL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It was a Sunday when Kirby Cleveland's wife and children were sitting at home watching TV when he became enraged. The 32-year-old had been drinking and, in a state of anger, began firing off a rifle outside. His wife called the Navajo Nation police to report a domestic dispute. Police told her an officer would be en route. But two hours later, the police still hadn't arrived, so she took matters into her own hands.

After calming her husband down, she drove him to a neighbor's house. Later that evening she heard gunshots again. According to police reports, she looked out the window of her home to see a patrol car's lights flashing.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

THANK YOU

TO OUR CHANGE MAKERS

AUGUST 2018 DONORS

Keith Pryor

Usa Backonja

Tonya Jones

Raye Clemente

Daniel Cooper

Leigh Fullmer

Freda Westman

Chandler O'Connell

Yonathan Habtemichael

Bruce O'Brien

Rudy Grad

Darlene Jenkins

Elizabeth Schongar

United Way of Central New Mexico

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!