January 2022

January is National Stalking Awareness, Human Trafficking, and Slavery Prevention Month

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) uplifts the tireless work of Native advocates and programs as we work together to shine a light on January as National Stalking Awareness, Human Trafficking, and Slavery Prevention Month. As a national Native-led nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence against Indigenous women and children, NIWRC strongly supports the efforts to raise awareness of and action to end these crimes, given American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians experience some of the highest rates of sex trafficking and stalking in the United States. Read the full statement here.

Contact your Senators: Reauthorize VAWA!

In March, the House passed H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA), which calls for the end of impunity for non-Indian perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse, sex trafficking, stalking, and assault on tribal law enforcement officers on tribal lands. 

Now the Senate must pass a VAWA bill that will restore tribal jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of violence against Native women. Contact your Senators today!

Oversight Hearing held on Tribal title in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

On December 16, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released a joint statement and spoke on the senate floor about reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. The senators plan to introduce a bipartisan bill next month, which, among other things, would expand special Tribal criminal jurisdiction to include non-Native perpetrators of stalking, sex trafficking, sexual violence, crimes against children, obstruction of justice, and assault against Tribal law enforcement officers. The bill also creates a pilot program for Alaska, which will enable a limited number of Tribes in the state to exercise special Tribal criminal jurisdiction.

Apply Now for Eagle Feather Fellowship for Thriving Women

The Eagle Feather Fellowship for Thriving Women provides unique mentorship opportunities for young Native women to build their knowledge, skills, capacity, and empowerment as future leaders. Selected Fellows will engage in peer-centered conversations and gathering (both virtual and in-person), build sisterhood and mutual understanding, and assist in identifying key priorities of Native young women and girls’ lives, dreams, and needs for healthy and safe futures. For any and all inquiries, please contact Alex Gonzales, Program Coordinator, at alex@7genfund.org. To apply, please send a letter describing your intention and why you are a good candidate for this opportunity to eaglefeather@7genfund.org with “Application” in the subject line. All application letters are due by January 31, 2022.

StrongHearts Native Helpline NEW Social Media Guide 2022

Help raise awareness about domestic, dating, and sexual violence experienced by Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Follow StrongHearts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube by searching @StrongHeartsDV and sharing their posts, and tagging them. Download the Social Media Guide for messages and graphics that you can share. StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 culturally-appropriate domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, available by calling or texting 1-844-762-8483 or clicking on the chat icon on strongheartshelpline.org. Also, read StrongHeart’s statement on Stalking Awareness Month here.

What We're Reading...

• Native American Women Are Facing An Epidemic Of Violence

• Female Aviation Grad Is First For Standing Rock Lakota Tribe

• BIA Launches New Missing And Murdered Indigenous Person’s Website Dedicated to Solving Cases

• Alert System For WA Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women And People

• A Tribe’s Bitter Purge Brings An Unusual Request: Federal Intervention

Funding Opportunities

• 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- refine by agency, eligibility, and category
• Indian Health Service: 
  • Domestic Violence Prevention Program (due 2/2/2022)
  • Domestic Violence Prevention: Forensic Healthcare Services (due 2/2/2022)