CSVANW November 2017 Newsletter

November
2017 Newsletter

CSVANW CELEBRATES NOVEMBER AS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Our tribal communities are gathering this fall season to feast, dance, pray and celebrate our harvest from a year of handwork. As we turn inside to the comfort of our homes with our loved ones, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women would like to take this opportunity to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with you by sharing stories of resiliency.

This month we are honoring our women and men who are making our communities stronger and more resilient than ever. From a look into the sacredness of Native women through a historical context to the shared responsibility of all in this movement- to be mindful of the inclusiveness of our LGBTQ+ Two-Spirit relatives in our conversations and history lessons. And of course we want to take time to re-thank our Community Champions who are on the front lines making change every single day in our tribal communities!

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

by Curtison Badonie

Native American Heritage Month is a month that recognizes and celebrates the culture, traditions, history, survival and the existence of Native people. It is also an opportunity to educate and acknowledge the awareness of the challenges Native people have faced both historically and present. Furthermore, it allows us as Native people to work to fight these challenges... Read More.

WOMEN ARE SACRED

by Joannie Suina Romero

When we envision the prosperity of our Native communities seven generations from today, what does that look like?

Through colonization, our experienced trauma has manifested itself in unhealthy and violent practices including domestic violence. The idea of the sacred feminine as a life-giver is well represented in cultural emergence stories, as well as through the continued p ractice of matrilineality in which descendancy is traced through the female blood line and/or clan systems.

Yet, Native women experience domestic violence, physical assault, and sexual assault at rates that far exceed women of other racial ethnicities.

Violence against women and children is not a Native tradition and it never has been...Read more.

CSVANW PRESENTATION REQUESTS AND TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

CSVANW is excited to announce that we have updated our website to better assist our members when making travel requests and presentation requests. We have streamlined the request process to reflect a quicker and more convenient experience for you!

All awards and approvals are based on available grant and travel funds. Priority approval is granted to CSVANW Members. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women please email our Membership and Outreach coordinator, Angel Charley, at acharley@csvanw.org.

The forms can be downloaded here.

CSVANW PROVIDES POLICY BRIEFING AT NATIONAL

CONSULTATION

PHEONIX, AZ

CSVANW attended the National Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women tribal consultation and tribal leader caucus briefing regarding priority issues for matters pertaining to violence against Native women in preparation. It was good to see many of our NM tribal leaders and several of our tribal chief judges in attendance! CSVANW thanks all who called their tribal leaders and urged them to attend! To read more about the annual tribal consultations, click here!

ANNUAL #IWILLRUNFORHER COMMUNITY RUN DOUBLES IN SECOND YEAR

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

In just it's second year, CSVANW has doubled the #IWillRunForHer 5K Community Run and Walk. This year, our event grew to more than 300 participants, up from just under 150 last year. We are attributing this growth to the fact that we were able to host this event completely free of cost to the public. We could not have done it without our community sponsors that included Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Institute of American Indian Art, Crime Victim's Reparation Commission, , Zia Graphics, Native American Community Academy American Indian Chamber of Commerce, and Forms Plus. We are excited to see how big #IWillRunForHer grows in 2018!!

DUKE CITY MARATHON: CSVANW TEAM FINISHES STRONG

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

It was a chilly morning but the CSVANW Running Team finished the 26.2 miles of the Duke City Marathon Relay and broke through personal and physical barriers.

We know that running is healing; running is medicine! On October 22, 2017 in Albuquerque, the team joined community in this great event. It was a positive experience to run alongside our amazing SANE nurses, our advocates, our community partners and some of the prosecutors of crimes against women and children. We are working to contribute to building community through healing and medicine- by starting with ourselves first. We thank our staff and supporters for being our champions by cheering the team on during the run.

2ND ANNUAL GALA AND SILENT AUCTION DINNER SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS

ALBUQUERQUE NM

The Gala and Silent Auction kicked off this year with more than 135 guests, over 65 art auction donations and eight awards handed out to Community Champions who are making a sustainable difference in their areas of work. Raising nearly $11,000, the event surpassed CSVANW expectations. The dinner was originally established to celebrate the work being done in our tribal communities to protect our woman and children by direct service providers. To learn more about the awardees click here.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX!

NEW ORLEANS, LA

In early October our Native Youth Coordinator, Keioshiah, was invited to attend the Let's Talk About Sex Conference! RESIST. RECLAIM. REDEFINE. in New Orleans, Louisiana. Keioshiah was able to address the 300+ participants on how Indigenous youth are redefining organizing in New Mexico. The gathering was organized by SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective based out of Atlanta, Georgia as part of their 20th Anniversary of wonderful community service and outreach towards collectively building an even stronger movement for Reproductive Justice. This trip was also part of an effort to create solidarity with National organizations to support people of color movements towards social change to end violence against Native womxn and children. Thank you SisterSong for inviting us to share space with you at the Let's Talk About Sex Conference!

PEACEKEEPERS HOSTS COMMUNITY RUN AND WALK

TAOS, NM

Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Council, Inc. Peacekeepers Program, runners and community organizations gathered at Kit Carson Park in Taos earlier this month to honor those affected by domestic violence. Runners received t-shirts and information from various organizations from throughout Northern New Mexico. We showed up and shared information, resources and stories to pay homage to survivors of violence.

CSVANW PROVIDES TESTIMONY TO SENATE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

SANTA FE, NM

Our CSVANW director, Deleana, and Navajo Nation Councilwoman Amber Crotty provided testimony to the senate Indian affairs committee (made up of 18 senators and representatives) on the status of violence against Native women and children in New Mexico. They spoke eloquently and passionately of the efforts of our tribal communities across the state in addressing violence and providing adequate support to survivors.

NAMBE PUEBLO HOSTS COMMUNITY GATHERING IN HONOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

NAMBE PUEBLO, NM

The Coalition was invited by the Pueblo of Nambe's Healthy Family Services to speak at their annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Community BBQ. Community members gathered and shared stories of personal resilience and strength-- inspiring all who attended to break the silence around domestic violence. A special thank you to Rod Kaskalla for his master grilling skills!

WALKING TOGETHER TO END VIOLENCE AND ABUSE

MESCALERO, NM

CSVANW was very honored to be invited to present a basic overview of the dynamics of domestic violence to community members from Mescalero Apache community during their Walking to End Violence and Abuse community conference. The conference was well planned and attended by a large group of community members.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe Violence Against Women program did an excellent job planning and putting on the conference.

ISLETA PUEBLO COMES TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY RUN

ISLETA PUEBLO NM

Community and tribal organizations came together this October in Isleta Pueblo to promote healthy families and lifestyle-- CSVANW was there to show our support! This annual Halloween Fun Run kicked off at Behavioral Health where participants entered in costumes contests, learned about local services available and had the option to run one, two or three miles! Thank you Isleta for inviting us to be a part of your community!

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL BRINGS AWARENESS TO #MMIW

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

On October 27th, over 65 people attended the annual community vigil to honor Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The Albuquerque community was encouraged to wear red in honor of our the woman who have gone missing. Attendees were also invited to bring a one-sided earring which will be added to a local earring display representing a missing woman or girl to serve a visual reminder.

The vigil brings community together to increase awareness and demand justice for all MMIW. CSVANW partnered with several organizations including First Nations Community Health, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board and Planned Parenthood. For more information about this event please contact Devona Bradford

SANTO DOMINGO SOCIAL SERVICES HOSTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS FUN RUN

KEWA PUEBLO, NM

Our CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator, Keioshiah, was able to attend the Kewa OVW DV Awareness Day and present on Teen Dating Violence for community members in the Pueblo. The presentation centered on the experiences of young Indigenous people and community members became more aware of the various types of abuse along with how to be upstanders against dating violence! Thank you to Santo Domingo OVW Program for inviting CSVANW to present on! It was wonderful to be invited into your territory and be part of your agenda for the day!

LAGUNA PUEBLO

LAGUNA PUEBLO, NM

On October 25, CSVANW's Training and Development Manager presented at the Laguna Domestic Violence conference at the Dancing Eagle Event Center. The Conference was very well attended by service providers and tribal law enforcement. The presentation gave a board overview of the dynamics of domestic violence, how service providers and law enforcement can support victims, and youth violence prevention initiatives. Thank you to the Laguna Behavioral Health Services Team for inviting us to your event!

CSVANW STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE FAMILY OF ASHLYNNE MIKE

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women stood in solidarity with the family of Ashlynne Mike, who was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted last year by Tom Begaye, Jr.

As Begaye was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, CSVANW was present with the family to extend our deepest condolences and support to the Mike family-- and all victims of sexual assault and murder in our Native communities.

May the memory of Ashlynne continue to bring our communities together for the safety of our little ones.

JUSTICE FOR LOREAL

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

An Inquiry into the Death of Loreal Tsingine: Human Rights Challenges to Police and Border Town Violence Against Indigenous Womxn and Peoples.

CSVANW attended the inquiry to understand the ongoing investigation of the murder of Loreal Tsinigie with Department of Justice and concerns of Loreals family and Navajo Human Rights Commission.

#MMIW #JusticeForLoreal

FIVE SANDOVAL INDIAN PUEBLOS, INC. BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SERVICES

RIO RANCHO, NM

Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. is a non-profit agency which was founded in 1967 to address the social needs of its Pueblo tribes in Sandoval county by providing professional services to assist and enhance their lives. FSIP, Inc. continues to provide an array of health services specializing in fostering wholeness and health through a diverse set of quality and culturally competent health services and resources focusing on prevention, intervention, and clinical approaches.

In 2017, FSIP, Inc. was awarded the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI) Grant which will allow us to participate in the movement to bring awareness to and eliminate domestic violence in our tribal communities.

Please join CSVANW in welcoming Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. to our network of members!! To learn more about FSIP, Inc. check out their website here.