Email from Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women Sacred Nourishment, Sacred Food. CSVANW is a 501(c)(3) organization that is funded in part by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.     HOME ABOUT US BECOME A MEMBER   August 2025 Newsletter This August, CSVANW is honoring National Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding Month by centering the theme: Sacred Nourishment, Sacred Food. Throughout the month, we’re uplifting the sacred bonds formed between parents and their children, bonds rooted in love, healing, and cultural continuity. Sacred Nourishment, Sacred Food reflects the deep cultural, emotional, and spiritual significance of breast and chestfeeding within Native communities. It affirms that feeding our children is not only a physical necessity, but a sacred practice, rooted in ancestral knowledge, relational care, and the continuity of life. This theme centers two truths: Nourishment is Sacred: Breast and chestfeeding foster emotional bonding, build strong immune systems, and offer children their first experiences of connection, safety, and belonging. For survivors, reclaiming this space can also be a deeply healing act of resilience. Food is Sacred: In many Native communities, food holds deep cultural, spiritual, and relational meaning. Breastfeeding and chestfeeding are among the first ways nourishment is shared, connecting children to traditions of care and sustenance. Supporting this sacred exchange means recognizing and addressing the broader conditions that can impact access, safety, and wellness for Native families. Grounded in our mission to foster Healthy Families, Healthy Communities, we remain committed to creating trauma-informed, inclusive spaces that honor the strength of Native parents and caregivers. Join us this month as we share educational tools, support community drives, and uplift Native families across our communities. Together, we protect these sacred beginnings and build a future rooted in healing, sovereignty, and care. #SacredNourishment | #BreastChestfeedingIsMedicine | #ProtectOurFuture CSVANW Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding Donation Drive August 22, 2025 | 9:00AM – 2:00PM CSVANW Courtyard 4600 Montgomery Blvd NE, Ste B202, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Join the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women as we honor National Breastfeeding Month with a donation drive rooted in nourishment, advocacy, and cultural connection. We uplift our matriarchs and celebrate the tradition of feeding future cycle breakers. Event Details: • 8:30 AM–9:00 AM: Staff Setup • 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Donation Drive Begins • 12:00 PM–1:00 PM: Lunch for Staff in Attendance • 2:00 PM: Drive Ends • Indian tacos provided to all donors and staff Organization Tabling: • Indigenous Women Rising Accepted Donations Include: • Breastfeeding and chestfeeding essentials • Pumping and milk storage supplies • Infant feeding items (bottles, formula, sterilizers) • Nourishment items (snacks, water) Look for purple balloons by the sidewalk, come through the gates, enjoy an Indian taco, and connect with the community. All donated items and monetary contributions will directly support Indigenous Women Rising and Native Women Lead’s efforts in uplifting Native women and children. Contact: Lincoln Encino | [email protected] | (505) 243-9199 Nominate an Advocate for CSVANW's September 2025 Advocate of the Month! Every month, we take time to celebrate individuals whose heart and work shine in the movement to end violence against Native women, children, and communities. These advocates embody compassion, strength, and an unwavering commitment to their people. They lead with culture, uplift community, and walk in the values of kinship, healing, and tradition. Through their efforts in education, prevention, and support, they create lasting change and inspire others to follow their lead. Community members, colleagues, and CSVANW staff are welcome to nominate someone who exemplifies these qualities. Nominate September Advocate of the Month Advocate of the Month for August 2025 This August, we Trudy Chee (Diné) as our Advocate of the Month. She serves as the Shelter Director for the Northern TREE House Shelter under Utah Navajo Health Services and has been a dedicated victim advocate for over 23 years. Trudy provides safety, shelter, and crisis support while building strong partnerships to address domestic, sexual, and family violence in her community. She believes advocacy means being a voice for survivors, honoring their stories, supporting their choices, and ensuring care is delivered with compassion and cultural understanding. Join CSVANW for Indigenous Peoples’ Night with NM United! CSVANW is proud to partner with NM United for Indigenous Peoples’ Night on August 30th, 2025. For every ticket purchased through this LINK, $5.00 will be donated directly to CSVANW, supporting our mission to uplift and protect Native communities. We invite you to celebrate with us, amplify this opportunity by sharing the flier with your colleagues, friends, and loved ones, and help us pack the stadium with purpose. Our deepest thanks to NM United for standing with us in this meaningful collaboration. #NMUnited #CSVANWCommunity #IndiginousPeoplesNight Purchase Tickets Today! SAVE THE DATE 10th Annual I Will Run for Them 5K Saturday, October 11th, 2025 Every October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), we gather in movement and medicine to honor the strength, spirit, and resilience of our Native relatives impacted by domestic violence. We invite you to save the date and join us for the 10th Annual I Will Run for Them 5K Saturday, October 11, 2025 More details coming soon! Whether you run, walk, or jog, we encourage you to dedicate your miles to a survivor, a cycle-breaker, or a loved one we’ve lost. Together, we reclaim space for healing and remembrance, because violence is not our tradition. Learn More & Stay Updated Community Advocacy Meeting August 14th, 2025 | 10:30M - 12PM | Virtual The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) invites you to our upcoming Community Advocacy Meeting (CAM), a dedicated space to build relationships, share resources, and strengthen our collective efforts to support Tribal communities. These monthly meetings are designed to: Uplift Tribal Advocates by sharing tools, training, and updates on relevant policies and events Deepen partnerships between Tribal programs and CSVANW Identify and address barriers to advocacy in a supportive, nonjudgmental space (confidentiality of survivors is always respected) This month’s focus: Media Literacy & Tech Safety for Survivors of Domestic Violence. Together, we’ll explore how digital safety and informed media use can help advocates better support survivors navigating technology-facilitated abuse. Register  July 2025 - CSVANW are incredibly grateful to have hosted 24 Native youth during a powerful two-day journey at Bachechi Open Space in Albuquerque, NM, on July 11–12, 2025. The 2025 Native Youth Summit created a space for youth to explore multiple approaches to positive mental well-being, build and maintain healthy relationships, and raise awareness about the violence impacting our communities. Day One began with meaningful engagement through Equine Therapeutic Connections, providing youth with an opportunity to connect with horses in a healing and grounded environment. The afternoon continued with insightful presentations on media literacy and identifying the traits of healthy relationships among peers. Day Two opened with a much-needed sound bathing session, setting a calm and intentional tone for a day filled with vital conversations. Youth participated in presentations on consent, a peer-to-peer session led by youth leaders, and a comprehensive discussion on mental health. The day concluded with an unforgettable performance by Brian Yazzie, Native American magician, whose storytelling and talent inspired and empowered youth through real-life narratives woven into magic. We extend our deepest thanks to our incredible collaborators and presenters: Equine Therapeutic Connections Native Community Health Network 988 Crisis & Support Services CSVANW Policy & Advocacy Team Lotus Sound Bath Enlace Comunitario Navajo Magic Productions, LLC Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board- Sowing Seeds of Wellness Program CSVANW sends deep appreciation to parents and families who encouraged their youth to participate in the 2025 NYS & we look forward to seeing you all in community! #NativeYouthSummit#communityCare#Equine#CSVANW  July 2025 - CSVANW supported the BIA and NMCSAP in hosting the Northern Pueblo Agency Law Enforcement Training in Ohkay Owingeh. The training equipped officers with critical tools to identify, investigate, and respond effectively to non-fatal strangulation cases in Tribal and surrounding communities. CSVANW was honored to support such an important event to educate law enforcement on the many ways to identify the signs of strangulation and its lethality in order to increase survivor safety and offender accountability. #BIA#NorthernPuebloAgencyLawEnforcement#OhkayOwingeh July 2025 - CSVANW tabled during the NMDOJ Task Force Summer Family Outreach event in Gallup, NM. This event offered a resource fair to support families navigating Missing or Murdered family members, gave out free school supplies for families, and provided lunch. Multiple organizations working in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples space educated folks about their resources to help spread awareness of the services throughout New Mexico and nationally. CSVANW was honored to be present in community to support increased awareness of and accountability to impacted family members. #NMDOJTaskForce#Gallup#MMIP July 2025 - Ryder Jiron CSVANW's Comms and Policy Coordinator and Tashina Nelson CSVANW's Gender-Based Violence Project Coordinator attend the 2025 Women are Sacred Conference in Milwaukee, WI. Gathered alongside advocates, coalition partners, and relatives in the movement, this event curated by NIWRC uplifted community-based healing, justice, and connection. We return home reenergized with renewed purpose, valuable insights, and strengthened partnerships to guide our work in New Mexico. #WAS2025 #WomenAreSacred #CSVANW #CommunityHealing Be a Part of the Movement. Volunteer Today! When you volunteer with CSVANW, you’re not just lending a hand, you’re helping create spaces that are safe, welcoming, and rooted in care for our Tribal communities. The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for those dedicated to supporting Native survivors and Tribal communities across New Mexico. Whether you’re a student, community member, or advocate, your time and skills can help us advance our work to address domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, teen dating violence, and stalking through a culturally grounded and survivor-centered lens. CSVANW also partners with organizations like the University of New Mexico and the Native American Community Academy to offer service-learning opportunities where students can earn academic credit. Volunteer opportunities may include: Assisting with research, policy development, and evaluation of advocacy efforts in Tribal communities Participating in site visits to member organizations serving Native survivors Supporting events and trainings, creating outreach materials, taking notes, and gathering participant feedback You can also volunteer in our office to support daily operations and help our team behind the scenes. Sign up to stay in the loop about upcoming volunteer opportunities for events, trainings, and more. Ready to make a difference? Join us today. Your presence matters. Sign Up to Be a Volunteer! Follow us on social media to stay updated when CSVANW is in the community. At CSVANW, every contribution matters. Whether you’re an individual supporter or an organizational partner, your generosity is the heart of what keeps us going. When you give, you’re not just donating, you’re actively helping to break cycles of violence and standing as a cycle breaker. Your support fuels our mission to advocate for Native women and children, creating powerful change and paving the way for healthier, safer communities for generations to come. Give 4 Cycle Breaking A Gift of Gratitude. As a thank you, all donors will receive free digital Cycle Breaking wallpapers, a small token to inspire and honor your commitment to this movement. A big thank you to our amazing July 2025 donors! Your generosity drives CSVANW's efforts to advocate for healthy families and build strong, thriving communities. We couldn’t do this meaningful work without you! Protecting Native Youth in the Digital World Safe Tech, Safe Futures - Protecting Native Youth in the Digital World At the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW), we believe that every relative, especially our Native youth, deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported. That includes our homes, schools, communities, and increasingly, our digital lives. Read More From Roots to Wings From Roots to Wings. Why the Southwest Butterflies Retreat Matters More Than Ever CSVANW Voice At the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW), we believe in the strength, spirit, and sovereignty of our young people. We also believe that healing must be rooted in truth, visibility, and culturally grounded care. Read More CSVANW's 13th Annual Native Youth Summit The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women held their 13th Annual Native Youth Summit (NYS) on July 11-12, 2025, at the Bachechi Open Space in Albuquerque, NM. This two-day event offered 24 Native youth ages 13-17 powerful presentations and experiences, designed to empower and inspire them to become agents of change in their communities. Read More TEWA ROOTS SOCIETY IS HIRING! Job Announcements Learn More! Crime Survivors Speak: Healing and Safety Conference August 21-23, 2025 "The Crime Survivors Speak: Healing and Safety Conference is a first-of-its-kind, two-day gathering happening in Atlanta, Georgia, in August 2025—bringing together crime survivors, service providers, advocates, community leaders, and system officials from across the country to learn, organize, and transform public safety policy. Hosted by the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) and its national network, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ), this conference comes at a pivotal moment in our country. As communities grapple with the dual crises of over-incarceration and public safety, it has never been more important to elevate the voices and experiences of survivors. For too long, people most impacted by violence and incarceration have been left out of policy conversations that impact our safety and healing. This conference will change that. Through a series of panel discussions, informative workshops, trainings, storytelling, and powerful conversations, attendees will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to lead grassroots movements, advocate for public safety reforms, and strengthen survivor-led advocacy within their communities..." Learn More #BreastfeedingAwarenessMonth#CSVANW#CommunityCare Share This Email Share This Email CSVANW is a 501(c)(3) organization that is funded in part by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.     Become a Member Donate Today Follow us on Social Media Stay Updated: Sign Up for Our Emails Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women | 4600 B Montgomery Blvd NE Ste 202 | Albuquerque, NM 87109 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice