Webinar

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, the Avellaka Program, the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV, and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence invite family and friends, Native 2S/LGBTQ survivors, and advocates to join one of our upcoming Virtual Conversations With the Field (CWTFs) focused on how families and friends respond to Native 2S/LGBTQ victim-survivors of domestic violence.

This webinar brings together long-time, nationally renowned advocates Karen Artichoker, Rita Smith, and Barbara Hart to talk about the early years of the movement to end violence against women, and the culturally centered teachings of Tillie Black Bear that continue to influence indigenous advocates to this day. The work of all three of these women began before the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (1984), so their voices bring a grassroots activist perspective that is often missing but integral to advocacy and social change.

We know that American Indian/Alaska Native women experience some of the highest rates for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, homicide at the hands of an intimate partner, and missing & murdered.  Women with disabilities are of double risk for violence and abuse.  This webinar will offer data on American Indian/Alaska Native disabilities in equal access, fair accommodations, and an opportunity to make powerful contributions to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of sexual assault

Advocacy for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) requires an understanding of the dynamics and tactics of IPV. This understanding is also necessary for advocacy for social change to end domestic violence. This webinar will provide an overview of the root causes of domestic violence in Indigenous communities. It will also explain the dynamics and tactics of IPV from a survivor’s perspective.

This celebratory webinar is dedicated to Tillie Black Bear, Wa Wokiye Win (Woman Who Helps Everyone), for her contributions as a founding grandmother, Unci, of the movement to end violence against women in the United States and across Tribal Nations. Unci Tillie gave hope and healing to generations of survivors, advocates, and Native Americans by her dedication to organizing the Violence Against Women Movement. Unci Tillie organized at the Tribal, state, and national levels to change laws and policies at the root of these injustices and disparities.

The hardships imposed by COVID-19 are numerous, impacting advocates as individuals and their ability to provide advocacy, resources and shelter to domestic violence survivors. Stay-At-Home orders, social distancing and the other necessary steps intended to offer protection from COVID-19, often escalate the danger to victims of domestic violence and create barriers to safety.

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.

VAWA 2005 requires the DOJ, HHS, and DOI to engage in formal consultation with Indian tribes on an annual basis to address concerns that impact the safety of Indian women at the broadest level. Participation in this nation-to-nation consultation is critically important for tribal leaders to dialogue with government officials about solutions and strategies to address issues related to violence against Native women.

During the period of 1979 through 1992, homicide was the third-leading cause of death of Indian females aged 15 to 34, and 75 percent were killed by family members or acquaintances. In 2005, the movement for safety of Native women resulted in the inclusion of the “Safety for Indian Women” title within the Violence Against Women Act. A study released by the U.S. Department of Justice has found that in some tribal communities, American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average.