Join Us for Virtual Medicine Run/Walk: Safety and Sovereignty for Our Sisters

In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November and Native American Heritage Day (11/28), we invite you to join the Virtual Medicine Run/Walk for Safety and Sovereignty for Our Sisters. Native women, girls and Two-Spirit relatives are being taken from us at an alarming rate, where in some tribal communities, Native women are murdered at more than 10 times the national average. Together, we will unite across Turtle Island as medicine for our sisters and 2SLGBTQ relatives who are disproportionately affected by violence. Participants will have four days (11/26-11/29) to complete their 1k, 5k or whatever distance they choose over the holiday weekend. To safeguard the health of our relatives throughout Indian Country, this event will be virtual. Native American Heritage Month is an important time for recognizing the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people and Native Nations. Thank you in advance for being part of these efforts and joining in the call for safety and sovereignty for our sisters. Learn more and register here.

New Podcast Episodes - Hear Indigenous Voices of Caroline LaPorte and Brenda Hill

The words ‘Women Are Sacred’ are often heard throughout our work for safety and sovereignty for Native women, a sentiment echoed in several key historical moments of our movement. This time spent coming together as women is ceremony and medicine, says Brenda Hill (Siksika), NIWRC’s Director of Technical Assistance and Training. Listen now to Episode 11 of Speaking Our Truth, Podcast for Change, where we talk with Brenda about the sacredness of women and how we can reclaim the integrity and rights of women in our lives, work and communities. Also new on Speaking Our Truth, we talk with Caroline LaPorte (descendant of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) about the lasting impacts of colonization on housing in Indian country and the need for safe, affordable housing for Native survivors of gender-based violence on Episode 10. LaPorte recently authored a joint report as part of the National Workgroup on Safe Housing for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Survivors of Gender-Based Violence. Listen to these episodes and more at niwrc.org/podcast or stream on Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn. Stay tuned for more new episodes this November!

Family and Friends of 2SLGBTQ Relatives - Join the Conversation

We want to hear from you! NIWRC and the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians’ Avellaka Program invite family and friends, Native 2S/LGBTQ survivors, and advocates to attend one of the upcoming Virtual Conversations With the Field (CWTFs) focused on how families and friends respond to Native 2S/LGBTQ victim-survivors of domestic violence. What we shared and learned from these conversations will help inform policy, recommendations, and the development of a toolkit for family and friends to respond to Native 2S/LGBTQ victim-survivors of domestic violence (expected for release in Fall 2021). Each virtual discussion will be a two-hour interactive conversation on an online video meeting platform. Registered participants should expect to actively engage and participate in the discussion. The virtual conversations will take place on two dates: December 8, 2020, and January 12, 2021. To sign up for one of the upcoming Virtual Conversations With the Field, register here.

Deadline for OVW Consultation Written Testimony is November 30

With the conclusion of last week’s 15th OVW Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, we want to take a moment to thank our relatives who provided crucial testimony on issues of violence against Native women in their communities. This nation-to-nation consultation is a critically important opportunity for federally recognized tribes to address concerns with the federal government regarding safety for Native women, considering the high rates of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking in tribal communities. If you were unable to participate in the Tribal Consultation, tribal leaders and authorized designees may still submit written comments by November 30th to tribalconsultationsupport@chickasaw.com to provide recommendations to federal agencies and departments and inform federal responses to crimes against Native women.

StrongHearts Native Helpline Receives 2020 Heroes in Health National Impact Award

On October 14, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) named StrongHearts Native Helpline as the recipient of its 2020 “Heroes in Health National Impact Award,” recognizing national leadership efforts by Native nations, tribal and non-profit organizations, and individuals to improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives through extraordinary contributions in tribal health advocacy, public health, health care policy, and direct health care delivery. Staff accepted the award virtually during NIHB’s Outstanding Service Awards and Heroes in Health Gala at the organization’s annual conference. “StrongHearts is so proud to receive this prestigious award, which acknowledges the important role our organization has in addressing the domestic violence crisis in tribal communities and striving to keep our relatives safe, particularly this year during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said StrongHearts Director Lori Jump (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians). Read more here.

Eight Generation Stands with NIWRC in the Call for Justice for MMIWG

To honor an ongoing issue close to our hearts, the women of Eighth Generation collaborated with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center to release the special edition “Sacred Sisters” Silk Scarf created by artist Navajo artist, Starr Warner (Diné), who is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan) and Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan) of the Navajo Nation. “I wanted this design for the 'Sacred Sisters' scarf to encapsulate the strength and beauty of Native women,” Starr said. “In my culture, Lightning represents a powerful force of nature, and there would be no better way to describe our fellow Native Women.” Star also incorporated the Navajo snowflake design to symbolize the dreary winters and dismal time for the MMIW and their loved ones. The design is intended to encompass the community’s sorrow, bless all future generations with teachings, and bring forth happiness and beauty. 100% of the proceeds from the scarf will be donated to NIWRC. Supporters can also purchase the scarf bundled with a one-year or two-year subscription to Restoration of Native Sovereignty and Safety for Native Women. Visit the blog to learn more about the collaboration and to watch the short video here.

What We're Reading...

• Native women are exposed to high rates of violence in America - and it's driving the political agenda
• Tribe, city, NSU join fight against domestic violence
• Man charged with burglary and domestic violence in Indian Country
• COVID-19 isolation increases domestic violence
• Ponca tribe awarded grant to assist victims
• Nespelem man sentenced to five years in federal prison for assaulting girlfriend
• Where Thunder Finds Her: Visibility for Indigenous women through Savanna's Act
• Wisconsin family's calls 'answered' for harsher charges in killing of Ho-Chunk woman
• Indian Country Today: Seeking help for domestic violence
• FBI leading homicide investigation of adult female on Crow reservation
• Family of Muckleshoot woman, killed by King County sheriff's deputies in 2016, still calling for justice

Funding Opportunities and Information

• Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund: 
  • 2020 Mini-Grants for DV & Intersection of Gun Violence During COVID-19 (Due 11/7)
• The Allstate Foundation: 
  • Emergency Small Grants to Culturally Specific DV Organizations (Due 11/10)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families: 
  • Personal Responsibility Education Program Innovative Strategies (Estimated Post Date: 3/21/2021)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families: 
  • Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) Competitive Grants (Estimated Post Date: 3/21/2021)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families:
  • Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Grants: Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for Domestic Violence Survivors in Tribal Communities (Tribal Safe Housing Center) (Estimated Post Date: 3/21/2021)