Now more than ever, we need to find ways to stay connected with our community. No one should feel alone or without the support they need. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we want to use this time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health, and acknowledge and validate that it’s okay to not be okay.
We continue to amplify the message: you are not alone and continue to raise awareness around the connection that domestic and sexual violence has on our health: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In addition, as we resume to wear our mask, stay home as much as possible, wash our hands, practice physical distancing, getting vaccinated and the smoke that is covering our communities from the fires on our land, it is critically important to raise awareness so that we support our collective resilience, health, and well-being during this time.
We know that our Native communities experience higher rates of mental health related issues, but we want to reassure them, and all of you, that you are not alone. We are truly in this together. Mental health is essential to all our overall health and well-being. It is vital we pay attention to our mental health. We invite you to get involved with us online and through our social media for ways to stay active and move our bodies. Stay tuned into our social media for mental-health related tips and best-practices.
#MHAM #MHM #MentalHealthMonth #YouAreNotAlone
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WEAR RED for National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Native Women & Girls
TOMORROW - Thursday, May 5, 2022
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Join us on May 5th, 2022 in recognition of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Wear red to spread the awareness of our missing & murdered sisters and relatives. Let's honors our stolen sisters, our trans relatives, Two Spirit relatives, our little ones, brothers and other relatives.
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As the wildfires continue to impact many of our communities here are some ways to support: |
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Our prayers are with all our communities impacted by the current climate crisis induced wild fires. Here is some information on how to stay safe during levels of high smoke, increased dust and pollen from unusual high winds. |
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Besides wearing an N95 mask outside and another tool to filter the indoor air of your home or office to to build a Corsi-Rosenthal box (CR box) proven to help mitigate wildfire smoke, dust pollen and airborne viruses. Here is Kai, an 8 year old from Nambe Pueblo who built one for their classroom. |
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DIY box fan air filters – Corsi-Rosenthal box |
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DIY box fan air filters - Corsi-Rosenthal box - Clean...
Also known as a Corsi-Rosenthal box, this DIY method of building your own air filter with MERV13 furnace filters and a box fan are an easy and cost-effective way to help clear indoor air from airborne virus particles, wildfire smoke, pollen,...
Read more
cleanaircrew.org
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The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women would like to celebrate Jovita Belgarde, who has moved onto a wonderful position with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center as their newly hired Native Youth Program Specialist. Jovita served as CSVANW staff for nearly three years as our Native Youth Project Coordinator, and has enriched our programming in so many ways, such as our annual Native Youth Summit, community gardening project, developing our first seed library, and laying the foundation for our upcoming Native youth council initiative.
They are from the Pueblos of Ohkay Owingeh and Isleta, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. CSVANW is grateful for the time and knowledge Jovita shared with us, and we wish them the best in their new position at NIWRC!
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Congratulations to our May Advocate of the Month: Arlene Sheyka! |
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Arlene Sheyka is the Victim Advocate Coordinator for the Pueblo of Zuni. She works with the Prosecutor, law enforcement officers, and service providers to provide services for victims of crime in the Pueblo of Zuni.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Sheyka worked for over 16 years in providing services to victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence. She has worked as a shelter assistant, a visitation monitor, and most recently as a Batterer’s Intervention Program Facilitator. Through her experience of working with both victims and abusers, Arlene has cultivated knowledge about the dynamics of domestic violence and is dedicated to sharing this knowledge with others, so that victims can be met with understanding and assistance instead of negativity.
Ms. Sheyka has a passion for helping others, as before she worked in Domestic and sexual violence, she was a Certified Nursing Assistant. It is from her experiences, both what she has helped others overcome as well as personal, that fuels her drive to help victims of crime. It is Arlene’s hope to have a positive impact on her community- to help current survivors so future generations have a better future. She welcomes collaborations with new and familiar associates, is open to discussions about how to better provide services, and open to helping others, just give her a call or email at (505)782-7178 or Arlene.Sheyka@ashiwi.org .
Arlene is a proud mother of one son who graduated from Zuni High School last year, and she could always be heard at all of his football, basketball, and baseball games. She is easily identifiable by her willingness to help, her kind words, her distinctive laugh, and her caring nature. She is also humble and didn’t want me to include all of this, but like with many advocates, she doesn’t acknowledge her awesomeness and she deserves to have others see her light.
Thank you, Arlene, for your hard work and passion to help your community. Thank you CSVANW for recognizing advocates like Arlene, for the work they do. Let’s uplift and support each other as we each strive to make our communities a better place, for our generation, and the generations to come.
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May Advocate Corner Newsletter |
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Greetings Advocates,
I hope everyone is safe from the fires and everything else we are experiencing in our lives right now. I want to share some tips that I hope you find helpful. We know the air quality through-out the state is a concern to residents. To track current air quality in real time, visit fire.airnow.gov.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following actions are recommended for protection from smoke:
- Continue to wear a N95 face mask.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Use fans and air conditioning to stay cool. If you cannot stay cool, seek shelter elsewhere.
- Reduce the smoke that enters your home.
- If you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper.
- If you have an evaporative cooler, avoid using it unless there is a heat emergency because it can result in more smoke being brought inside. If you must use the evaporative cooler, take advantage of times when outdoor air quality improves, even temporarily, to open windows and air out the house.
- If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor air damper. If you cannot close the damper, do not use the window air conditioner. Make sure that the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible.
- If you have a portable air conditioner with a single hose, typically vented out of a window, do not use it in smoky conditions because it can result in more smoke being brought inside. If you have a portable air conditioner with two hoses, make sure that the seal between the window vent kit and the window is as tight as possible.
- Use a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency filter to remove fine particles from the air.
- If you use a portable air cleaner, run it as often as possible on the highest fan speed.
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If you cannot get a portable air cleaner, you may choose to use a DIY air cleaner as a temporary alternative. Run it as often as possible. Tips if you use a DIY air filter: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-iaq#tips
- If you have an HVAC system with a high-efficiency filter installed, run the system’s fan as often as possible to remove particles while the air quality is poor.
- Avoid activities that create more fine particles indoors, including:
- Smoking cigarettes.
- Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
- Spraying aerosol products.
- Frying or broiling food.
- Burning candles or incense.
- Vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Avoid strenuous activity during smoky times to reduce how much smoke you inhale.
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This Month is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you are interested in mental health first aid training or need more information, please visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ . Mental health affects everyone and it’s important to prioritize our overall well-being. Together let’s break the stigma of mental health and seek services when needed. Factors that contribute to mental health are more common in our Indigenous communities due to colonization, genocide, trauma, systemic violence, and other biological factors. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call 911.
Here is a list of resources in Albuquerque:
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Congratulations to our May Advocate of the Month for May 2022, Arlene Sheyka, Zuni Pueblo
The coalition appreciates all that you do for your community and the survivors you serve in Zuni Pueblo. May creator continue to bless you. Keep up the amazing work Arlene! (Arlen’s bio & pic coming soon)
This month our Advocate Coordinator, Tiffany Jiron, our Policy and Communications Coordinator, Ryder Jiron, and our April Advocate of the Month Mrs. Reyes Abeita from Isleta Social Services will be attending the Crimes Against Women’s Conference in Dallas, Texas!
Upcoming Advocate Meetings Dates:
- May 12, 2022 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
- May 26, 2022- CANCELLED-staff training
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CSVANW Membership Coordinator
Rufina Abeita
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Rufina Abeita (she/her) is a daughter, sister, and auntie from Isleta and Laguna Pueblos. She is currently seeking a higher education in Human Services with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Rufina started her journey with the CSVANW as an Intern in 2019 and since then she has been able to work directly in tribal and urban capacities within Tiwa territory, and now has returned back to the CSVANW to support healthy communities, healthy families empowerment! |
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CSVANW Executive Assistant
Sara Twiss
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Sara Twiss comes from the Agai Dicutta Numu (Trout Eater People), also known as the Walker River Paiute Tribe from Schurz, Nevada. She is a mother of two children, an aunt, sister, daughter, and granddaughter. Sara has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Sierra Nevada College, and a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning with a focus on Indigenous Planning from the University of New Mexico. She is proudly serving the role as the Executive Assistant for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women.
Sara has experience working with Indigenous communities (urban/rural) on capacity-building projects including youth leadership development, traditional language revitalization, and promoting program activities that empower and uplift Indigenous Womxn/Girls. Her work history includes areas on restorative justice practices, alternatives to detention, grant management/reporting, providing technical assistance for data collection and evaluation strategies, developing fundraising strategies, and community outreach activities. Sara serves as the Director of Community Planning for Tribal Entities Connect, and leads facilitation activities geared towards Indigenous Feminist Planning, and MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives) movement.
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CSVANW attends the Opening of the late Deanna Autumn Leaf Sauzo’s “Art Through Struggle” Gallery Exhibit |
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April 1, 2022 - Our Executive Director, our Sex-Trafficking Project Coordinator, and our Advocate Coordinator attended the opening of the late Deanna Autumn Leaf Sauzo’s “Art Through Struggle” Gallery Exhibit at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. CSVANW showed up to support the family and provide information on resources and information on MMIWR, Sexual Violence in Tribal Communities, Intimate Partner Violence in Tribal Communities, and the impacts of violence on youth and our LGBTQ+S relatives. Our Executive Director, Angel Charley gave a powerful speech at the event on Intimate Partner Violence and the need for healthy masculinity in our tribal communities. She mentioned that we are seeing harm done by our own men and that we as women and LGBTQ+ can no longer do this work alone. We need the support of our men and the accountability from our communities!
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Press Conference & Celebration on Passage of the Indian Family Protection Act |
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April 8, 2022 - Thank you to everyone who joined us on April 8th, 2022 to celebrate the passage of the Indian Family Protection Act and to pay recognition for the hard work of partners, impacted families, collaborators, contributors and tribal leaders.
The work, prayers, intention, fight and love that was poured into this will not be forgotten. We are so grateful for everyone involved in the passing of HB-135 The Indian Family Protection Act, drafted by our communities and for our communities. IFPA will protect our most sacred and precious beings, our children!
The Indian Family Protection Act (IFPA) solidifies and expands protections for Native children and families in child welfare systems. IFPA uplifts tribal sovereignty and tribal self-determination, by ensuring tribal communities are first in deciding how to care for their children in need, reducing risks of them being taken away from their communities.
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Native Youth Summit - 2nd Cohort |
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April 19, 2022 - This April we had our 2nd cohort of CSVANW's Native Youth Summit. We engaged the youth to learn about how MMIW and land extractions are connected to land and body violence. It was great to hear how much the youth absorbed during our reflections after every sessions. It was also great to have Jen Marley, Selinda Guerrero, Leona Morgan, the panelists for the Native Youth Panel to join us for the event. They brought information the youth can utilize in their future projects within their community.
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New Mexico United and PNM Fundraiser |
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April 23, 2022 - CSVANW was thrilled to be selected as one of the 10 local nonprofits that PNM funded through their PNM PowerKick initiative with the NM United Soccer Club.
During halftime of the New Mexico United home game, our CSVANW Media & Communications Coordinator, Curtison Badonie, attempt three goals to earned money for CSVANW.
Thank you to PNM for selecting CSVANW for a fundraising opportunity, the PowerKick initiative with the NM United Soccer Club, to support our work to end violence against Native communities in New Mexico. Thank you for giving us, our families, and members this opportunity.
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Pueblo Action Alliance Healing Circle |
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April 30, 2022 - Tabling at the PAA Healing Circle event. Their focus this year will be “Honoring Ourselves Through Wellness,'' with components that will offer guidance on how we can take care of our bodies by addressing generational trauma and grief. Taking care of ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually is vital, as we live in a society that doesn't always respect and honor Indigenous peoples or our livelihood. We want to provide a brave space where relatives can feel safe to learn and be in community in an alcohol and drug free environment.
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CSVANW joined community partners an Earth Day celebration honoring Mother Earth |
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April 22, 2022 - CSVANW joined community partners an Earth Day celebration honoring Mother Earth, our little ones and kinship guardians. Kinship families from throughout Rio Arriba County came to learn about the resources available to support them in nurturing and caring for our little ones. we know that Native children need their communities and Native need their children as we asserted in The Indian Family Protection Act. Raising Little ones is a community effort, and we are so happy CYFP’s Kinship Unit invited us to support getting resources to families.
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New Mexico Diversity Conference for Youth |
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April 23, 2022 - Our CSVANW Sex Trafficking Project Coordinator, Michele Curtis, have a prevention at the NM Diversity Conference for Youth. The Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women What is the epidemic of MMIW? Why are Indigenous women going missing or being murdered at a higher rate than others. What can we do to stop it? In this workshop, the youth got into groups and brainstormed on how they can get their communities involved by direct action to address the crisis of MMIW.
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CSVANW at AIBA’s Native American Career & Resource Fair |
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April 27, 2022 - CSVANW was invited to table & recruit today at AIBA’s Native American Career & Resource Fair, Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The 2022 Native American Career Fair is a great opportunity for businesses and organizations to connect and engage with Native American students from all fields and majors.
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TikTok is a great tool for engaging with our audience, community and highlighting the important our work!
The app’s rapidly increasing popularity and global reach means marketing on Tiktok won’t disappear any time soon.
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Follow us on social media to stay updated when CSVANW is in the community. |
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Advocates celebrate new protections for Native children in New Mexico |
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Advocates celebrate new protections for Native children...
Many gathered at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque Friday to celebrate the passage, including 14-year-old Than Povi Baca. After her mother was murdered, she was adopted on the Santa Clara Pueblo. She said the federal protections,...
Read more
www.kob.com
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month hits close to home for Native community |
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month hits close to home for...
In 2009, Barack Obama became the first president to recognize April as sexual assault awareness month. Since then, numerous initiatives have sought to combat the problem. But one group remains particularly vulnerable. According to the Department...
Read more
www.kunm.org
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THANK YOU
TO OUR CHANGE MAKERS
April 2022 DONORS
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General contributions and donations from individual supporters and organizational partners are essential for CSVANW's sustainability and effectiveness. Your donation helps make it possible for us to cultivate and strengthen our ability to advocate for Native women and children and breaking of cycles of violence. |
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NOTE: All presentation requests for Sexual Violence initiatives and Native Youth initiatives will be put on hold till we find a coordinator for both positions. And as soon the position is filled we can go back to taking requests. |
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The 10th Annual Native Youth Summit is a series of workshops over 4 days and is a powerful leadership development experience that connects, challenges, and cultivates a cohort of 10 Native youth ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old from across the state of New Mexico.
Our theme for the summit is Our Lands & Bodies are Sacred and it will focus on self-awareness and land to strengthen our Tribal communities through the following learning opportunities:
- Encourage Native youth to work towards strengthening their voice.
- Building our Native youth knowledge on the basics of violence prevention so they may share with their relatives in their territories.
- Support Native youth in their building of knowledge to eliminate violence against all of our relatives.
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We will accept cohorts of 10 youth for our 10th Annual Native Youth Summit in the months of March, April, June, and August.
Our 3rd cohort begins June 21, 23, 28, and 30 from 4:00pm - 6:30pm (MST).
Each application will be internally reviewed starting May 9, 2022 and 10 youth will be selected by May 13, 2022.
Beginning May 13, 2022, CSVANW will begin notifying applicants about their application status for the June cohort by phone.
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Advancing Advocacy Training in Tribal Communities
May 24, 25 & 26, 2022
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This training is the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women's 40 Hour-Core Advocacy Training that provides new domestic violence/sexual assault advocates and first responders with state certification in New Mexico and Four Corners region. CSVANW's 40 Hour Advancing Core Advocacy Training is 1 of 2 state certified trainings for new domestic violence advocates. We aim to help first responders and domestic violence advocates work together effectively in a times of crisis.
40-Hour Certification
To receive your 40-hour certification, you must complete the 16.25 hours of the OVC-TTAC Online Training. When you complete this online training, you may upload your certifcate(s) of completion to our AirTable link that will be emailed to you at a later date. OVC-TTAC training must be completed by Friday, June 3, 2022 by 5pm (MDT). Here is the link to OVC Training: OVC-TTAC Online Training
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Please join @csvanw Training and Education Director Jolene Holgate and @rising_hearts Jordan Marie Daniel on Friday, May 6 at 3:30 p.m. (MDT) for an Instagram LIVE discussion on the missing and murdered crisis, advocacy for families, prevention/solutions, protecting women/girls/trans/2S relatives, and to uplift the heart-work of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. |
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Thursday, May 5, 2022
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM MDT
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Join the NM Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR) Task Force on the National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives to hear about the response plan for the State of New Mexico. |
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No More Stolen Relatives: Examining Intersections of Gender-Based Violence and MMIWR
Thursday, May 12, 2022
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MDT
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This virtual event will provide participants an understanding of gender-based violence and MMIWR, illustrate the connection of DV/IPV/SV to the crisis, and how advocates/providers can recognize how they can utilize their advocacy to help fight the MMIWR crisis. Gender-based violence are harmful acts committed against folks from varying gender identities – women/femme, trans, non-binary, and two-spirit.
Training Objectives:
- Discuss the correlation of DV/IPV/SV that can lead to the causation of MMIWR.
- Determine how advocates and providers can better serve and protect transgender women and relatives to end gender-based violence.
- Engage in a workshop with a MMIWR family advocate to determine how you can recognize ways to support survivors and be a part of the solution to the MMIWR crisis.
Intended Audience: Direct service providers who provide services in the area of Batter’s Intervention and those working with victims and survivors of violence and their dependent children, including but not limited to counselors, advocates, probation officers, judges, etc.
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The U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) is the largest survey of trans people in the United States. The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans people in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
- The US Trans Survey is for all trans people age 16 and up.
- The USTS is for people of all trans identities, including binary and nonbinary trans identities
- The USTS is the main source of data about trans people for the media, educators, policymakers, and the general public, covering health, employment, income, the criminal justice system, etc.
- USTS reports have been a vital resource, including the reports on the experiences of people of color and reports by state.
- In 2015, nearly 28,000 people took the USTS, making it the largest survey of trans people in the U.S. A lot has happened since then – and it’s time to conduct the USTS again in 2022.
- More than ever, it's important to ensure that trans voices will shape the future.
- Help us continue to be the largest, most diverse sample across all identities. Please spread the word to ensure that people of color, older people, those who live in rural areas, immigrants, Spanish speakers, those who are HIV+ hear about the survey.
*By submitting this pledge form, you’ll receive email updates from NCTE about the USTS
*Pledging to take the survey does not obligate you to take the survey. Participation is voluntary. You will be asked to consent to take the survey later when the survey enrollment begins
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EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATE!
Upload your times & photos May 4 - May 8
In-Person 5K Run/Walk to be held May 8, 2022 - D.C. - 10AM
Rising Hearts is honored and grateful to bring the community together to honor, uplift, and send prayers for ourmissing and murdered Indigenous relatives, their families, and for the advocates within these spaces - theirdedication and their heart work to support the families, communities, the advocacy and finding solutions to endthis epidemic.
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40-Hour Certification
To receive your 40-hour certification, you must complete the 16.25 hours of the OVC-TTAC Online Training. When you complete that training, you may upload your hours to an AirTable link that will be provided at a later date. Here is the link to OVC trainings:
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POLICY AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR |
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SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT COORDINATOR |
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OFFICE COORDINATOR (Part-time) |
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Keep checking back for more opportunities here. |
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Follow us on Social Media |
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