WE VALUE OUR HISTORY
WHILE STARTING ANEW!
|
|
The Southwest Indigenous Women's Coalition (SWIWC) is making changes, still valuing our history, our presence, and our future in how we provide services to Arizona tribal communities through prevention, awareness, and healing.
|
|
New Titles for SWIWC!
To strategize our coalition we have changed titles of current staff to coincide with the work we feel is needed within our tribal communities.
Tania Harvey, Director of Tribal Engagement
Kurt Begaye, Director of Training and Technical Assistance
Veronica Hunter, Director of Finance
To contact our staff please visit
SWIWC
|
|
|
As many of you are aware, SWIWC lost our hub-office in Chinle, Arizona due to fire. We are very fortunate there were no injuries but sustained great loss in regards to equipment, files, furniture and a part of our history.
Thank you to all who donated and blessed us with kind thoughts and prayers as we continue to move forward.
We are resilient! We are strong!
DONATE
|
|
|
Meet our LGBTQ Advisory Council Member
|
|
Honor Fisher,
Honor Fisher is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. She is Mohave and Chemehuevi and lived the majority of her life on the reservation in Parker, Arizona. She is the Victim Services Coordinator for the Pueblo of Jemez. She has worked with the Pueblo of Jemez Social Services Program for 4 months. Prior to that she worked with the CRIT Victim Advocacy Program for over 7 years, and has worked in Victim Services for more than 12 years, starting with volunteering with the Urban Indian Advocacy Program in Albuquerque, NM
As a child growing up on the reservation Honor grew up exposed to alcohol abuse and Domestic Violence, she experienced abuse as a child and growing up dealt with issues that came out in her teenage years, leading her to seek help and made her want to do things to help others. She volunteered for various programs. As she got older she experienced Domestic Violence and began volunteering at shelters while seeking help for herself. While attending school in New Mexico, she lost a childhood friend to Domestic Violence. She began to spend more time working with victims; it was in this work that she found her calling. In 2010, she was offered an opportunity to return to her own community to work with a new Domestic Violence program. Over the last 8 years she has worked to provide services and resources to victims and their families. She has worked to create bridges to help victims find resources both in the community and outside of it. It wasn’t until 2011 that Honor self-identified as Bisexual, she had always known that she felt out of step, but did not feel comfortable coming forward.
|
|
It has been a hard road but she feels that she is stronger because of it and has found peace in her self-identity. She continues to move forward in helping others to be aware of how violence affects everyone. She has spoken at events and trainings. She is passionate about the work that she does and continues to advocate for victims. She works with both adult and child victims of many crimes.
She is Co-Chair of the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition SWIWC LGBTQ Advisory Council.
Until we speak up and stop allowing evil to remain in darkness, we cannot heal, we cannot change our future. We will pass the violence along to our children and to their children and they will be the ones who bear the burden of our trauma -Honor Fisher-
|
|
|
J
u
n
e
i
s
P
r
i
d
e
M
o
n
t
h
|
|
SWIWC celebrated Pride Month in June and encourages you to participate in local events and bring awareness in your community to support our LGBTQ and Two-Spirit relatives. In conjunction with National Pride month, SWIWC recognizes the many challenges, barriers and needs of our LGBTQ2S relatives. The entire month focuses on movements of change at a national, state and local level.
How do we become great allies?
Our LGBTQ Advisory Council is making that change and assists SWIWC in becoming better allies in the movement of change for our LGBTQ2S relatives. Please visit our website to download our LGBTQ Advisory Council brochure, factsheet, info-graphics, webinars and other great resources.
|
|
January 2018 Regional Training
:
Addressing and Responding to Sexual Violence in Tribal Communities
.
Phoenix, Arizona
|
Earlier this year, SWIWC began open and honest dialogue on sexual violence. Within our tribal communities, the need to talk about and address sexual violence is imperative. Where do we start? What questions should we be asking? How do we ask questions? Who needs to be involved?
|
|
We were very honored to invite, Bonnie Clairmont from the Tribal Law and Policy Institute, Rose Quilt from the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, and our LGBTQ panel, to assist us in answering these questions, educating our providers, and continuing the dialogue about sexual violence.
Sexual Violence is a sensitive topic but needs to be discussed within tribal communities. To that end, SWIWC is creating a Statewide Native Sexual Assault Task Force. Surrounded by awesome and compassionate advocates, and with over eight different tribal communities in attendance, this is the start of great collaboration and communication within our communities.
|
|
February 2018 Regional Training:
Humanizing Our Response to the Violence in Our Communities: Being Inclusive, Coordinated, and Accountabl
e
Window Rock, Arizona
|
Being Inclusive, Coordinated, and Accountable. With the help of the Navajo Nation Strengthening Families Program, SWIWC provided training at the Navajo Nation Museum, in Window Rock, AZ.
The Navajo Nation is the largest tribe in Arizona where many providers seek education, awareness and training on domestic and sexual violence. Topic of conversation and in attendance to speak was the honorable Council Delegate Amber Crotty who spoke on sex trafficking and discussed the newly passed Sex Trafficking Code. It is imperative to seek tribal council to help in the movement of change. It's an honor to have such a great advocate to make change.
Discussion of including men as our leaders, protectors, teachers to our youth and community is also important. Kevin Poleyumptewa discussed many ways to speak to young men, involving their minds, actions, teaching and to respect women. This guided us into our next regional training, which focused on male advocacy.
Thank you to our speakers and those in attendance for a successful training.
|
|
|
March 2018 Regional Training
:
Fostering Male Advocacy Against Violence Through Prevention, Accountability, and Healing
Phoenix, Arizona
|
Men as our protectors have been lost. The work to include young men in the movement starts with our fathers, grandfathers, and men in the community to begin the teachings of respecting and honoring our women.
SWIWC coordinated this male advocacy training with Kevin Poleyumptewa and Aldo Seone.
Mr. Poleyumptewa has many years of service as a fatherhood practitioner, teaching men and young boys about healthy living, honoring and respecting oneself and engaging them in the movement to end violence against Native women. Mr. Seone is co-founder of Wica Agil, a grassroots men's organization working to educate indigenous men and boys about cultural teachings that define male roles and responsibilities, especially when it comes to family and respect for women.
To include men we need to learn about the roles of women, the strong hearted in the movement, the roles pre-colonization of respect and honor, we were honored to have Percy Ami speak in regards to roles of Indigenous women. Perci is a representative of Indigenous Grandmothers who are educators, wisdom keepers, guides, and messengers from a variety of ethnicities.
As we continue to include our LGBTQ community, SWIWC's LGBTQ Advisory Council co-chair, Lenny Hayes and staff, Kurt Begaye provided information on LGBTQ 101 as well as servicing victims of violet crimes within the LGBTQ community.
|
|
|
2018 Women of Color Network, INC
Economic Policy and Leadership Western Regional Convening
March 2018 | San Francisco, CA
|
SWIWC's Council of Women member, Lorena T. Halwood and staff, Tania Harvey attended the 2018 Women of Color Network convening. In attendance were great and awesome women who are doing tremendous work for victims and survivors. Its great to rejuvenate with women who continue to make change within their communities.
|
|
|
|
|
May 5th National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Each year on May 5th Indigenous communities supports grassroots and National organizations that address the ongoing violence against Native women and young girls. This year the United States Senate passed a co-sponsored resolution declaring May 5th 2018 as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women.
We encourage you to bring awareness to not only next years, May 5th Day of Awareness but every day, to remember the importance of keeping our Native women and girls safe.
|
|
The 2018 United States of Women Summit
May 2018 | Los Angeles, CA
|
A powerful gathering of allies across the country who know their energy and power will break down barriers that stand between women and full equality.
Our very own, Leanne was invited and spoke at the Summit, as quoted, "As an outspoken leader at the forefront of this movement". We are honored at SWIWC to have Leanne, as our fearless leader as she is continuing to make change for our tribal communities.
|
|
|
13th Annual Women Are Sacred Conference
"Resilience: Walking in Ancestral Footprints, Carrying our Medicine."
June 26-28, 2018
Albuquerque, NM
|
SWIWC attended the oldest and one of the largest gatherings of amazing advocates dedicating their work to end violence against Indigenous communities. The conference is in its 13th year, spearheaded by the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.
This year's highlights included listening to Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo, the first Native woman to run for Congress; Keynote speaker, director and screenwriter, Taylor Sheridan, on how the movie, “Wind River” came to be; Acoma Pueblo Traditional Dancers/Singers; National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - Wear Red Day; All Things Feminine Powwow and overall supporting and raising awareness of domestic violence in tribal communities.
SWIWC Director of Training & Technical Assistance, Kurt Begaye, and LGBTQ Co-Chair, Lenny Hayes, provided a series of workshops during the conference.
Cyberbullying, Social Media and Native LGBTQ Youth
provided the youth contingent an overview of the potential dangers found online and how to identify and combat cyberbullying. They also provided a session on including Native LGBTQ into victim services; Lenny also shed light on a rarely discussed topic in his session
Impact of Sexual Violence on Men and Boys.
|
|
|
|
|
Young Women Are Sacred Conference IV
"Encourage, Educate & Empower The Next Generation"
July 16-18, 2018
San Xavier, AZ | Tohono O'odham Nation
|
With 48 young women in attendance, ranging from 12-18 years old, this years Young Women Are Sacred (YWAS) Conference setting was in the San Xavier District, on the Tohono O'odham Nation in Tucson, AZ. With the help of Tribal Council, tribal programs, food vendors, a variety of speakers, volunteers, chaperones, and committee members, YWAS was another success.
In its fourth year YWAS was originated by Caroline F. Antone, Tohono O'odham Nation, with a vision to encourage, educate, and empower the next generation by providing a wealth information of self-care, self-defense, self-esteem, maturity, and many other topics.
As we continue to educate our youth to become strong leaders,
entrepreneurs
, mentors and educators we can't forget to thank our elders, mentors, educators, and care givers of today. Thank you to all those who made this year another success.
Look for more pictures and videos coming soon.
|
|
|
2018 Indian Country Conference: Offering Hope to Victims in the Spirit of Justice
July 19-20, 2018
Bismarck, ND
|
SWIWC attended the 2018 Indian Country Conference: Offering Hope to Victims in the Spirit of Justice held at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck, ND. The conference was hosted by the US Department of Justice - United States Attorney's Office, Office for Victims of Crime.
Opening the conference was Tribal Coalition Sister, Sandra Bercier of the First Nations Women's Alliance giving an overview of
Native Sexual Violence Victimology
. SWIWC staff, Kurt Begaye, provided a session on
Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit Victims of Sexual Violence in Indian Country
. Closing out the conference was a very humorous and important session on burnout,
I've Run Out of Fuel... Now What?
provided by motivational speaker and author Mark Yarbrough.
SWIWC is grateful for the invitation to attend and speak at this year's conference. We look forward to continued networking and collaboration with providers in the North and South Dakota Region.
|
|
|
Hopi-Tewa Women's Coalition to End Abuse
Sexual Assault Training
Polacca, Arizona
|
SWIWC Director of Training and Technical Assistance was invited to speak at the Sexual Assault Training hosted by the Hopi-Tewa Women's Coalition to End Abuse. Kurt provided an overview of gender and sexuality from both Native and Western perspectives and discussed ways to be more inclusive in victim service provision.
To request a presentation, contact
Kurt
|
|
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
"Violence in Native Communities"
Phoenix, Arizona
|
SWIWC has presented "Violence in Native Communities" for the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV) -
Sharing Our Experience
40 hour Training for the past 3 years. This is an ongoing collaborative partnership with the importance of providing information about our Arizona Native communities to non-Native programs and providers.
|
|
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
"Services for Native Survivors of Sexual Assault"
Phoenix, Arizona
|
|
SWIWC presents for the ACESDV's Sexual Assault Core Advocacy Training regarding best practices in servicing Native survivors of sexual assault. It is imperative to know the differences in culture, traditions, and values to best care and serve Native survivors.
|
|
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona
"Coalition Sustainability Strategies"
Webinar
Phoenix, Arizona
|
Kurt Begaye and Tania Harvey held a two part webinar for Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA) Good Health and Wellness Coalitions under their Health Human Services Program on
Coalition Sustainability Strategies
.
|
|
Arizona Indian Education Association
"Sexual Assault in Tribal Communities"
Mesa, Arizona
|
SWIWC was invited by Melodie Lopez, Vice President of the Arizona Indian Education Association (AIEA) to provide an overview of sexual assault within Native communities. This included an introduction to LGBTQ, services for LGBTQ survivors, and LGBTQ sexual assault rates on college campuses.
|
|
Futures Without Violence
"Trauma Informed Approaches to Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Community Health Centers"
Phoenix, Arizona
|
SWIWC sharing information with statewide heath care providers relating to who we are as Indigenous communities and providing services for Indigenous survivors/victims of intimate partner violence.
|
|
Arizona Department of Health Services
2018 Women's Health Day
Phoenix, Arizona
|
With an invitation from Arizona Department of Health Services, SWIWC provided a booth at the 2018 Women's Health Fair at the Arizona State Capitol.
Mindfulness
was this years theme.
|
|
Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Funding Opportunity Announcement
|
|
WEBINAR | Thursday, August 2, 2018 | 2-3 pm ET
|
|
Please share this important webinar information with your tribal contacts. Any questions should be sent directly to SAMHSA. Thank you.
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding a webinar for prospective Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) applicants on how to register and submit applications.
These webinars are not intended to respond to programmatic questions but will address the technical submission process of the grant.
You will be provided information on how to register and submit applications to SAMHSA using NIH’s eRA System, including how to register for the eRA System, how to use the eRA System to initiate and fill out applications, and how to submit completed applications. Questions, please
Email
|
|
Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program
|
|
PHASE 1 APPLICATION ARE DUE BY
9:00 P.M. (EASTERN) AUGUST 6, 2018
|
|
The Office of Victim of Crime (OVC) is seeking applications for the
OVC FY 2018 Tribal Victim Set-Aside Program. Under this solicitation, OVC will award eligible tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal designee grants to support a wide-range of services for victims of crime. In developing the some of activities allowable with this funding, OVC took into account input from tribal leaders and other stakeholders regarding needs for victims services in tribal communities.
OVC anticipates making up to $110 million available through this solicitation to support tribes to improve victim services. This solicitation has streamlined, two-phased process by which tribes may apply for and receive the trial set-aside funding.
OVC conducted an optional, pre-application Phase 1 webinar on June 28, 2018. During the webinar, OVC staff reviewed the solicitation requirements and conducted a question and answer session which interested protection applicants. A recording of this webinar is not online.
Phase 1 application are due by 9:00 p.m. (Eastern) on August 6, 2018.
|
|
August 21 & 22, 2018
Sheraton Sioux Falls Convention Center
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
|
|
DEADLINE
FOR SUBMITTING AUTHORING LETTERS TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY AND ONLINE REGISTRATION IS
AUGUST 3, 2018.
OR FAX TO 202-514-5818
|
|
September 22, 2018
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
|
|
September 18-20, 2018
Sante Fe, NM
|
|
REGISTRATION IS FREE!
CONFERENCE LOCATION: HILTON SANTE FE BUFFALO THUNDER
|
|
September 25-27, 2018
Denver, CO
|
|
3RD ANNUAL TRIBAL GOVERNEMENT
PROGRAM NATIONAL SUMMIT
|
|
The Summit will focus on key issues and promising practices for Alaska Native Villages and Tribal Nations in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking; including methods and strategies to improve victim safety, offender accountability, and effective collaboration between tribal, federal, state governments and / or service providers.
Highlights of the Summit will include Tribal Sovereignty as well as the issue of Missing and Murdered in Indian Country, with workshops on criminal justice and advocacy responses, responding to children and youth impacted by domestic and sexual violence, and engaging men in the work to end violence against women and children.
Who Should Attend
:
Attendance at the summit is mandatory for Tribal Governments Program grantees (program director / coordinator). Grantees should encourage their victim service provider and Tribal leadership to attend.
|
|
October 30 - November 1, 2018
We-Ko-Pa Resort
Fort McDowell , AZ
|
|
December 5-7, 2018
Agua Caliente Reservation, California
|
|
Council of Women
MARY HOWE
President
Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
CARRIE IMUS
,
Vice President
Hualapai Tribe
LORENA T. HALWOOD
,
Secretary
Diné
GERALDINE LAUGHTER
,
Treasurer
Diné
|
|
Staff
LEANNE GUY
Founder & Director
Diné
TANIA HARVEY
Director of Tribal Engagement
Diné
KURT BEGAYE
Director of Training and Technical Assistance
Diné
VERONICA HUNTER
Director of Finance
Diné
|
|
LENNY HAYES, Co-Chair
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
MARION FIXICO,
Cheyenne/Seminole
RENAE GREY
,
Diné
MATTEE JIM
,
Diné
|
|
|
HONOR FISHER, Co-Chair
Mojave/Chemehuevi
JACKIE MALSTROM
,
Pima/Yaqui
ELTON NASWOOD,
Diné
JANEL STRIPED WOLF,
Rosebud Sioux
|
|
Membership is for those who wish to support and participate in the movement to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children and/or who provide services to victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence in Arizona's tribal communities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
