NIWRC Webinar: ‘Trauma-Informed Advocacy in the Time of a Pandemic’ on June 24 at 1 p.m. MT

Our whole world has changed, our whole way of life has been put on hold. These are truly trying and difficult times for so many people. Tribal domestic violence advocates are struggling to find their footing and respond as best they can under the circumstances, given the lack of resources, tribal infrastructures, and an increase in domestic violence. Indigenous people and Tribal Nations experience multiple levels of trauma, including Historical Trauma. All this contributes to our response to the current pandemic. This important webinar will look at how historical trauma influences our responses to COVID-19. It will discuss the impact of social distancing on traditional and cultural practices and it will offer coping strategies that draw upon our spiritual and cultural strengths. As Indigenous Peoples we know that change is a part of our traditions, and this pandemic has brought about a lot of changes to the way we live, work and address safety in our communities. Please join NIWRC’s Gwendolyn Packard and Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Division of Community Behavioral Health at the University of New Mexico as we look at trauma-informed advocacy in the time of a pandemic. Register for the June 24th webinar here.

StrongHearts Native Helpline - Online Chat Advocacy Now Available

If it’s not safe to make a call, StrongHearts Native Helpline’s online chat advocacy sessions might be a better option. By clicking the "Chat Now" icon at strongheartshelpline.org, users receive the same one-on-one, real-time, confidential information from a trained advocate as they would if they call. This service is available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Chatline users reaching out after hours will receive a message re-directing them to reach out during operating hours or to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, a non-Native based 24-7 domestic violence helpline. Learn more about StrongHearts online chat advocacy in a blog announcing the new service.

More Than a Hashtag - Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Sovereignty

NIWRC refuses to accept the death of our relative George Floyd at the hands of police as ‘normal’. As a Native-led organization, NIWRC stands firmly grounded against violence and oppression in all forms—police brutality included. We must work together to undo the systemic racism in our communities and demand change. No more stolen relatives. We stand in solidarity with our Black relatives in calling for justice for George Floyd. Our deepest condolences for George’s family and friends. Please know we are with you, praying with you and grieving this tragic loss. Relatives, please join us in honoring George Floyd. Say his name. Protect our relatives. Demand justice for George and for future generations. We also encourage you to view and share NIWRC's Special Collection: Cultural Competency/Humility & Ally-Building in Indian Country providing resources to promote understanding of Indian Country and Indigenous perspectives and responses to domestic violence and sexual violence. 

Listening to and Supporting Native LGBTQ2S Voices

The month of June is Pride Month, and NIWRC stands in support of Native LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people. Our work focuses on the inclusivity of Native LGBTQ2S people and how we can all learn to support their needs better—through their voices. Violent victimization among Native LGBT2S people is a critical issue that we must pay attention to and learn how to better assist victims and survivors from this population. To support these efforts, we are sharing three culturally-based resources, including a past webinar, 'Mending the Rainbow: Working with the Native LGBT/Two-Spirit Community'—which provides culturally-based responses to the needs of Native lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and Two-spirit survivors, as well as the links to the SWIWC LGBTQ Advisory Council Resource Page and Native PFLAG Resource page.

Rising Up for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center wants to send a special thank you to Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel for holding a virtual fundraiser on May 5th, where she ran 27 miles over 13.5 hours for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives with 28 prayers in support of NIWRC and Seeding Sovereignty. May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls, and we appreciate all of the efforts to call attention to this issue by Jordan, grassroots advocates, Tribal communities, and allies this year. Collectively, NIWRC’s #MMIWGActionNow campaign promoting visibility and action around missing and murdered Native women and girls reached more than 24.5 million people around the world with your help. Thank you to those who participated in this important campaign for our lost relatives. We must continue to work together to create change and end this violence for future generations. Consider a donation to NIWRC.

Hear from Thunder Valley CDC's Tatewin Means and NIWRC’s Rose Quilt on NRCDV Radio

In this podcast episode of Policy & Advocacy in Action by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), Tatewin Means talks about how a Lakota ran grassroots Community Development Corporation has built a community as a catalyst to create systemic change on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Thunder Valley CDC is focused on building power for our community to create sustainable change and end poverty on the reservation through a multifaceted approach that ultimately creates vibrant and healthy communities. All their work is place-based and comprehensive, centered on applying Indigenous innovation in a way that honors their cultural heritage and is adapted for the needs and vision of the local community. NIWRC’s Rose Quilt also provides commentary on the importance of Missing and Murdered Women and Girls. Listen to the podcast here.

What We're Reading

• Red Earth Women’s Society: A year of activism and healing for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
• Elizabeth Cook-Lynn: Are women sacred? Is the Earth sacred?
• Unheard: Survivor Stories from Alaska
• Newsy wins prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Award for 'A Broken Trust' investigation (Watch 'A Broken Trust')
• Opinion: Michigan tribes call out violence against women

Funding Notices

• U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (FY20): 
  • Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program (Due 6/15)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families: 
  • Alaska Native Tribal Resource Center on Domestic Violence (Due 6/26) 
  • Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program (Due 7/6)
• Twilio:
  • COVID-19 Crisis Lines Grant for Helplines and Hotlines (Due 6/5)