Sayu'? X Wey
The breath that moves one forward in life
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Washington State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Murdered and Missing Indigenous
Women Awareness Month
May 2021
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Indigenous women go missing from reservations and urban areas at alarming rates.
The long history of violence against indigenous women, two-spirit communities, and tribal families continues to be a pervasive threat to indigenous relatives everywhere.
Community engagement, demands for action, and concrete steps to hold offenders accountable while wrapping victims, survivors, and families in support helps to create a path towards a violence-free future
The time for action is now.
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Breathing New Life Into Our Work
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Teachings from Dee Koester, MS Founder and Executive Director
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Invisible No More- No More Stolen Sisters.
One of the first posters created by WSC, in 2007, was one that emphasized the words:
“From Invisibility to Visibility”.
Our early work in WA State was spent bringing our existence to the forefront in everyone’s mind. I can remember asking, how will this policy affect native communities and their citizens? The answer was always, “Well, I don’t know.”
The fact we (natives) did not come to mind, echoed of invisibility. As Invisible peoples and nations, we could not influence policy or challenge the status quo and accumulate more resources to provide for our people and families.
As the government has a “Trust” responsibility towards our nations, we set about to raise awareness at all levels and continue the work of eliminating violence against Native women and their families.
"The purpose behind the trust doctrine is and always has been to ensure the survival and welfare of the tribes and their citizens. This includes an obligation to provide those services required to protect and enhance the social well-being of Indian people to a level comparable to the non-Indian society.”
As I reflect on our almost 20 years of service, we have come a long way in increasing our visibility and evolved into a subject matter expert (SME). Thank you for your continued support and we will continue the legacy we inherited of not just standing by, but ready to intervene when called upon to actively advocate for No More Stolen Sisters and their families.
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Secretary of Interior Haaland creates new unit to investigate cases of murdered and missing Indigenous Women |
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“A lack of urgency, transparency, and coordination has hampered our country’s efforts to combat violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives,” she said in a statement. “In partnership with the Justice Department and with extensive engagement with Tribes and other stakeholders, Interior will marshal our resources to finally address the crisis of violence against Indigenous peoples.”
Haaland will work with Attorney General Merrick Garland to set up the commission. They will appoint 27 members, and the goal of the group will be to hold hearings, take testimony and gather evidence to help come up with recommendations for the government to combat violent crimes against Indigenous peoples.
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Wear Red with WSC on May 5th |
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To support survivors, victims, families and the communities and professionals doing the hard work of combatting violence throughout Indian Country, WSC will be wearing red on May 5th!
Take a picture of yourself wearing red and post to social media using #whyiwearred #wscwearsred #nomorestolenrelatives
Please remember to always prioritize your safety. Do not post pictures that may disclose your location or put you or your loved ones in danger. If you would prefer to submit your story anonymously, you can submit it using this form and we will post it for you.
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MMIW/MMIP Awareness Month Activities |
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This is a partial list of MMIW/MMIP activities hosted by Tribes throughout Washington State. If you would like your events added to this list, please contact Annie Forsman Adams at aforsman@womenspirit.net
May 3rd - May 7th
Puyallup Tribe's Week of Action and Awareness for
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives
Yakama Nation
REDgalia Hybrid Events
May 5th
Tulalip Tribes
Coastal Jam
May 5th
Cowlitz Tribe
National Day of Awareness for
Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls
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Download WSC's Sexual Assault Awareness Poster |
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Upcoming Events at WSC and ICVSRRC |
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May 5, 2021
Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
and People Day
June 29, 2021
Shani' Shayi: Broadening Our Perspective
Violence Against Indigenous Women
9am-3pm
Registration info coming soon
June 30, 2021
Womenspirit Coalition Board/Annual Meeting
January 2022
Womenspirit Coalition Board Winter Meeting
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Western District of Washington United States Attorney's Office Hires MMIP Coordinator to assist tribal nations
David Rogers was hired to assist tribes in a variety of ways to address MMIW/MMIP issues across Washington State rounding improving and strengthening the law enforcement response to missing person cases.
David J. Rogers
Coordinator
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons
U.S. Attorney’s Office
700 Stewart Street, Ste. 4126
Seattle, WA 98101
Office: (206) 553-2267
david.rogers3@usdoj.gov
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WomenSpirit Coalition works to build a world where victims are honored and all offenders are held accountable.
We work towards this mission by holding ourselves accountable, through both action and education. We must recognize our relationships and experiences with racism, gender based violence, white supremacy and colonial violence and how it has created significant trauma in indigenous and other minority communities. It is through telling our stories and receiving the stories of others that we transform the trauma into resilience.
Without education, there can be no justice. Without justice, there can be no peace. The change starts now.
We invite all of our relatives to join this journey with us. To learn more about how race intersects with the criminal justice system, visit the links below.
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As part of our ongoing project with the Tribal/State Court Consortium to provide Pro Bono Legal Aid to Indigenous Survivors of Domestic Violence, we are looking for advocates and survivors who are willing to serve on a panel to discuss accessing legal aid.
The training will be held later in August. The panel will be moderated and questions will be carefully screened. If you or anyone you know is interested, please have them fill out this survey and we will be in contact with them soon!
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In honor of MMIW Awareness Day, we will be rescheduling our Monthly Networking Call to
Tuesday
May 11th at 2:30 PM
We will resume our regular first Wednesday of the month schedule in June.
Membership Networking Calls are open to tribal programs, paid and ad hoc members. For more information about membership, please visit our website or contact our WSC administrative office, Laura Fierro (lfierro@womenspirit.net)
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Services for Survivors and Families |
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Rental Assistance Grants to DV Survivors
ICVSRRC is able to provide a limited number of Housing Assistance Grant to DV Survivors to help them maintain safe and stably housed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Clients must complete an intake with ICVSRRC to receive this assistance. Intakes must be completed by no later than June 2, 2021.
For more information or to start this process please call our Victim Services Toll Free Line at 1 888 653 1115 or visit our website at www.womenspirit.net/icvsrrc
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Indigenous Crime Victim Services Referral and Resource Center
ICVSRRC supports advocates and service providers across Washington State through networking and service coordination. ICVSRRC can also provide direct services to indigenous crime victims across Washington State.
Victim Services Toll Free Line
1-888-653-1115
Online Referrals
10049 Kitsap Mall Blvd NW
Suite #304
Silverdale, WA 98383
(360) 633 7083
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WSC extends its deepest thanks to the staff, board, member programs, and communities that make our work possible. With the passion, fire, and commitment of all of you, we have built a movement that makes a difference. |
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WSC and ICVSRRC Staff
Dee Koester
Founder & Executive Director
Annie Forsman Adams
Program Director
Laura Fierro
Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant
Nikki Finkbonner
Project Coordinator
Cheryl Coan
Program Coordinator
Indigenous Crime Victim Services Referral and Resource Center
Erica Hankin
Victim Services Liaison
Indigenous Crime Victim Services Referral and Resource Center
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WSC Executive Business Committee
Sabrina Desautel
President
Judge Cindy Smith
Vice President
Ronald Tso
Treasurer
Beatriz Arakawa
Secretary
Will Payne
Board Member/Signing Authority
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