Restoration Magazine

“As the world around us evolves, we, too, must evolve—not by departing from our values but by deepening our understanding of how to express them in ways that serve all our relatives.”

In 2024, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) continued our work to restore safety for Native women and communities by championing Tribal sovereignty, strengthening culturally grounded advocacy, and fostering impactful partnerships across Indian Country. Significant strides were made in raising awareness about the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR), highlighted by the list of recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission report. NIWRC’s Technical Assistance team supported hundreds of requests from Tribal programs, while our policy team worked tirelessly to ensure adequate funding for victim service programs and safeguard Tribal sovereignty.

These accomplishments were made possible through the strength of our partnerships, which remained at the heart of NIWRC’s work. Through collaborations with federal agencies, grassroots advocates, and Tribal Nations, we built capacity through webinars, training sessions, and resource development. During pivotal moments like the National Week of Action for MMIWR, Tillie Black Bear Women Are Sacred Day, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our campaigns amplified Native voices and perspectives, sending a powerful message: Native women are sacred, and their safety is essential to the wellbeing of our communities.

Most importantly, 2024 reaffirmed what we have always known: our strength is rooted in the teachings of our ancestors and the resilience of our communities. As Tribal programs grow, survivors heal, and communities reclaim their sacred traditions, we are reminded daily of the countless hands and hearts guiding this movement.

As we step into a new year together, NIWRC reflects on our shared journey and the work still ahead. This year, we reaffirm our commitment—not as a new chapter but as a deeper expression of the values that have guided us from the beginning. Our 2025 commitments reflect growth grounded in listening to our communities, building on our strong foundation, and honoring the wisdom of those who came before us.

Continuing Our Commitment to Inclusion

Restoring safety for Native women and Tribal communities requires us to embrace the full spectrum of identity within our communities. Our commitment extends to Two-spirit, non-binary, LGBTQ+, and trans relatives—honoring the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures. We recognize and celebrate the ways Tribal Nations have always affirmed and uplifted these identities, ensuring everyone is included in our vision for safety and justice.

Prioritizing Collective Wellness

The work of ending violence against Native women is not easy. It requires us to pour our hearts, minds, and spirits into advocacy. That’s why we’re deepening our focus on wellness in 2025—not just as an organizational value but as a necessity for sustaining our work. Caring for ourselves and each other ensures that our movement remains strong and balanced, rooted in the teachings of our ancestors about the importance of harmony.

Building on Our Enduring Foundations

As we grow, our foundational principles remain unchanged: 

• We center survivors, honoring their voices and experiences to guide our work.
• We uphold Tribal sovereignty, advocating for the rights of Tribal Nations to address violence in their communities.
• We draw strength from Indigenous cultures and traditional teachings, grounding our work in practices that reflect our values.
• We continue to strengthen grassroots advocacy, recognizing that real change begins in our communities.
• We carry the lessons of our ancestors as we move forward, and our commitment to survivors, advocates, and Tribal Nations remains constant. Together, we grow stronger, honoring our traditions while embracing opportunities to better serve our communities.

As we embrace 2025, we invite you—our relatives, advocates, and allies—to join us in continuing this journey. Together, we will build a future where every Native woman and relative can live in safety and dignity, free from violence.

For a deeper look at our 2025 commitments and how we’re implementing them, visit niwrc.org and follow us across social media platforms. 

Ahéhee, 

Lucy Simpson, Diné
Executive Director
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center