OCTOBER 2021

Resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

To recognize DVAM this October, NIWRC invites survivors of domestic violence, Tribes, grassroots advocates, and community members to participate in our DVAM campaign, Honoring the Indigenous Strength and Needs of Native Women Survivors of Domestic Violence. View our DVAM Campaign Page for resources and ways to get involved, including: 

• Find DVAM Social Media Guide with sample posts to share.
• Join #DVAM Twitter Storm on 10/13 at 1 p.m. MT.
• Wear purple to support survivors on #PurpleThursday, 10/21!
• Watch Tillie Black Bear Women Are Sacred Day webinar recording.

Carrying Our Medicine Forward: NIWRC's 10-Year Anniversary

This fall, NIWRC will mark its 10-year anniversary and re-dedicate our commitment to strengthening tribal responses to safety for Native women and their children. Join us for a live webinar showcase on 11/17 of NIWRC’s support of the Indigenous movement for safety for Native women, including historical milestones and accomplishments of our technical assistance and training, resource development, and policy and systems engagement. Learn how you can support the movement for safety for Native women and get involved with NIWRC's work to strengthen roots and plant seeds for change. Register here.

Joint Indigenous Organizations Statement About the Gabby Petito Case

Several weeks of national mainstream news media coverage has been focused on Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old white woman who recently was reported missing and subsequently found murdered. We offer our sincere condolences to her family. No one should have to experience this kind of tragedy exacerbated by noted indicators of domestic violence. Yet, none of our Indigenous relatives to date have received much, if any, attention from the news media, concentrated efforts by law enforcement departments, or an outpouring of financial contributions from ordinary citizens. Read our joint statement here.

New Resources: Shelter Info Packet and A Guide to Harmony for Women and Children Living in Shelter

The Shelter and Other Safe Space Information Packet is a collection of articles, booklets, sample policies, and forms covering a range of topics about providing shelter and other emergency housing for survivors of battering/intimate partner violence. View Info Packet here. A Guide to Harmony for Women and Children Living in Shelter is offered as an example to use as a guide to give for women and children staying in your shelter. Download Guide here.

Tribal Shelters and Programs, Get Your Bathing Bundles

NIWRC is offering shipments of essential oil body and face soaps to tribal programs and shelters serving relatives in need. These soaps feature handmade, vegan, natural moisturizing soaps without chemical preservatives, scented with essential oils to evoke calming effects and promote traditional healing. Providing natural, environmentally friendly, and traditional medicine in these items can improve the situation for relatives who are transitioning out of trauma. Request a shipment here. Please share with your networks!

StrongHearts Native Helpline Releases One Year Sexual Violence Advocacy Report

“Sexual violence has plagued Native communities for centuries and a disparity of services and resources renders the victim invisible,” said Lori Jump (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), director, StrongHearts Native Helpline. “In order to assist our relatives on their healing journey, we must address violence on every level.” View report here.

Apply to Attend! Advocacy Curriculum Facilitator Orientation Online Training in November

Next month, NIWRC will host another virtual training to support the facilitation of our new Advocacy Curriculum. The goal of this training is to provide an opportunity to become familiar with and be comfortable utilizing the curriculum materials, key concepts, and session objectives. Given space limitations, those interested will be asked to apply to participate. Apply to attend here, and please save the dates!

• Dates: November 2, 4, 9, 12, 16, and 18, 2021 (6 sessions)
• All sessions will be held virtually from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT

FAQ's: Allowable Use of FVPSA Funding to Meet the Match Requirement for HUD Grants

The FVPSA Program has posted a new FAQ resource on its website that clarifies the allowable use of Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) funding to meet the match requirement for the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) program grants. Please help us spread the word about this important clarification by sharing this FAQ with domestic violence programs, coalitions, tribes, LGBTQ+ organizations, culturally specific service providers and resource centers. View FAQ's here.

What We're Reading...

• Families of missing and murdered Native women ask: 'Where's the attention to ours?'
• If I am taken, will anyone look for me?
• Cloak of invisibility: Missing and murdered Indigenous women
• Muscogee Nation citizen Lauren J. King confirmed as federal district judge
• A prayer for our future
• California state park with ties to racist past will now be called by Indigenous name

Funding Opportunities

• Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples
  • Thriving Women Grant (Due 10/15)
• The Conservation Alliance 
  • Confluence Program Grant (Due 10/24)
• U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women: 
  • View Open Solicitations
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families:
  • View Open Solicitations