A report by the National Institute of Justice found that Native women are murdered at rates more than 10 times the national average 96% of the Indigenous female survivors experienced violence from a non-Indigenous perpetrator. While the oil industry continues to wreak havoc on our lands, we must continue to advocate for clean renewable energy sources that in turn supports the well-being of our Indigenous relatives. 

#MMIR #MMIWG #MMIWGActionNow #NoMoreStolenRelatives

This Mental Health Awareness Month, CSVANW is amplifying the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s 2023 social media awareness campaign: “more than enough.” The campaign is to “affirm the idea that people are inherently worthy of life, love and healing — no matter what they look like, no matter where they are in their journeys, no matter what they are or aren’t able to do.” More than enough is a message of hope and inclusion. LEARN MORE.

APRIL 5 - #SAAM Day of Action! CSVANW showed support for Survivors by wearing teal, attending a virtual event or in-person events, spreading the word on social media, and more. Participating in the SAAM Day of Action is a great way to show that you support survivors and that you’re a safe person to reach out to. #SAAM2023 #BelieveSurvivors

APRIL 5 - CSVANW was invited to be a part of the American Public Health Association's Forum for National Public Health Week on April 3, 2023. This year’s theme was “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” a nod to the many ways communities have created paths to health and safety for themselves. The Forum focused on how public health can collaborate with, and learn from, community leaders to build trust and a strong foundation for healthy change.

APRIL 5 - Nicole, Sexual Violence Project Coordinator, Orlinda, Office Coordinator, Delaney, Gender based Violence Coordinator, were in the community on April 4th for SAAM Take Action Day Event: Paint the Night Teal event at the El Chante Casa De Cultura - 804 Park Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. CSVANW handed out sexual assault resources, Covid PPE, and swag at our booth. There will be a distribution of yard signs, teal twinkle lights, and luminarias for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by on April 7th 5-8pm, or any Friday or Saturday throughout the month of April to grab some items to paint the night teal in support of the movement.

APRIL 5 - Tiffany Jiron of Isleta Pueblo and the Policy & Advocacy Director for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women was featured on the ICT Newscast to highlight the importance of putting together an annual Tribal Leaders Summit. She talked about the importance of having tribal leaders as allies in the movement as we continue to create safer communities for Indigenous people. You can find the interview on https://ictnews.org/.

APRIL 12 - Our Policy & Advocacy Team attended the CYFD moderated conversations with foster families and provider groups on April 6 in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Our Policy & Advocacy Director advocated to have these meetings with Tribal Leaders and with tribal ICWA providers. Our Policy & Communications Coordinator, Ryder Jiron advocated for change within CYFD to provide culturally competent training for CYFD workers. The Policy team voiced that the Indian Families Protection Act is a state law that CYFD workers need to abide by. We want to encourage our tribal communities to voice their concerns with CYFD, they can submit their recommendations to: [email protected]

APRIL 12 - CSVANW Land and Body Violence Coordinator provided a workshop day to support the creation of effective communication between impacted families and the media. Telling diverse and inclusive stories for social change that center marginalized communities. We had Melody Delmar from the Indian Affairs Department present on the NM MMIWR task force and Bella Davis from In-Depth New Mexico present on tips for communicating with a reporter.

APRIL 12 - The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women supported one of our membership programs in Isleta Pueblo. Last week, April 12, 2023, the K’eah-Wah Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange Program and Isleta Social Services held a grocery bingo to bring awareness of child abuse and sexual abuse. This is one of many family-friendly Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events held in Isleta Pueblo for the month of April. CSVANW donated 20 air purifiers, large air purifiers, swag bags, and two $50.00 gift cards to Albertson’s grocery store and 1 $50.00 gift card to Texas Roadhouse! We love supporting our member's events, and we love that our members are doing this work in their communities! #TogetherWeDoMore

APRIL 15 - On April 15th, the Coalition hosted their first Survivors Healing Retreat for SAAM in honor of our native survivors. Each participant was offered trauma informed/culturally inclusive group sessions, indigenous rooted yoga, spa services (i.e. massages & facials), hot springs soaking, and 1 on 1 coaching. We felt honored to share space with such amazing individuals who are resilient, strong and brave in each of their own ways. We want to thank each person for sharing space with us and sharing your truth. We uplift our sexual assault Survivors and their voices by providing these opportunities to connect to their roots in healing and community support.

#SAAM2023 #CSVANWHealingRetreat2023 #BelieveSurvivors #SafetyIsACommunityResponsibility #SexualViolenceIsNotOurTradition.

APRIL 17 - During the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues last week, CSVANW was invited to participate in the Trilateral Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women Planning Meeting in New York. The gathering was established to enable Indigenous Leaders to reflect on the outcomes of the fourth convening and discuss proposed themes for the fifth gathering to be hosted by the Canadian Government later this year in Ottawa. CSVANW met with leaders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico and was tasked with addressing Leadership Development of Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit and Gender Diverse people. We would like to thank the Office of Violence Against Women, the White House Gender Policy Council, and the Canadian Consulate for hosting a powerfully important conversation.

APRIL 22 - Saturday, April 22, CSVANW was a participant at GLSEN’s Trans, Queer, Ally Pride: Youth+Educator LGBTQ+ Summit. We had the wonderful opportunity to network with other organizations and meet with community to celebrate youth+educator learning to create inclusive curriculum and safe spaces. At the summit, we engaged in capacity building around storytelling for social justice, how to develop curriculum and content that supports BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth, zine making, and defining trans/queer joy. We are looking forward to attending and supporting GLSEN’s future work and events!

APRIL 26 - Denim Day - CSVANW wore denim to take a stand against victim-blaming in honor of Denim Day. Join the movement & be in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, to raise awareness of & combat victim blaming, & to stand against misconceptions of sexual violence.

APRIL 26 - We welcomed our Members and Advocates to a Survivors Luncheon hosted by CSVANW on Wear Denim Day! During this networking lunch we shared a meal in honor of our real lived experiences and participated in writing “a message to survivors”. Thank you to all who came out and shared healing space with us.

APRIL 28 - Sexual Violence in Tribal Communities and New Mexico Training Day: CSVANW’s Spring Sexual Violence in Tribal Communities and New Mexico Training Day was on April 28th. This training day focused on how to better support our survivors in our Indigenous communities and provided resources for those living in New Mexico. We were welcomed by Jenny and Barbie from the Arc of NM, presenting on Supporting survivors with disabilities, Shannon from SASNWNM, presenting on Rural Services and Advocate Training, and Kena from Getting to the Roots, presenting on Reflections of Resilience.

Ever since the release of the second teaser trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, you might have seen all the memes arising from the promotion posters all over your social media feed.

CSVANW decided to take part of the trend and participate. With our own version: Cycle Breaker. Cycle Breakers are people who have touched our lives and inspired us to let go of ways that do not serve our wellness, spirit and joy. Cycle Breakers, bring visibility and strength, who made the brave and arduous decision to leave, to stop, and to unlearn.

Who: We are seeking participation from Native men and Masculine identifying relatives in New Mexico, aged 18 years and older, to engage in a 2.5hr focus group. 

Purpose: To better understanding the needs of Native men & Masculine identifying relatives and how they can be better supported in ending violence in our Tribal communities.

Where: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Albuquerque, NM

When: May 11th & May 25th 9:30am - 12:00pm

**A $50 gift card will be received for participation and completion of focus group.**

The 11th Annual Native Youth Summit will be a 2-day event and is a powerful leadership development experience that connects, challenges, and cultivates 25 Native youth ranging in age from 13 to 17 years old from across the state of New Mexico.

The Native Youth Summit provides unique and engaging opportunities to address the issues our youth face today, such as domestic violence in the home, cyber-bullying, teen dating violence, safety in a technological world and bystander violence. Our young leaders will be inspired and equipped to return to their communities, support and empower their peers, and make healthy value-based choices using smart strategies.

Who: Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ youth that range between 16-24 years old 

When: June 14th & 15th, 2023 | Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Where: TBD

Why: “Embracing Ourselves Through Joy & Kinship”

**Native LGBTQ2S+ youth who participate will receive a $200.00 stipend**

The May 2023 40 Hour Training will be held at the Arc of New Mexico on May 16 - 18th from 9 am - 5pm each day. Advocates must attend all three days of training in order to receive certification.

In order to better support our program area and provide new advocates with the necessary tools and knowledge to support survivors and their families, CSVANW has implemented training fee of $45 for our 40-Hour Core Advocacy Training. 

NOTE: There are 10 spots reserved for CSVANW Members that will have their training fees waived. Reserved Member spots will operate on a first come first serve basis and the training fee will be waived with a membership discount code that was sent out to all members via email.

Keep checking back for more opportunities here.