This weekend the CSVANW team went out to show support for our Two Spirit LGBTQ+ relatives at Albuquerque Pride parade, June 9th, 2018.
Pride By Renae Swope What does Pride mean to me? Pride, Gay Pride, Pride month are celebrations that remain to isolate the Transgender community. Pride to me is a celebration of resistance and the continual advancement of men, while Queer and Trans People of color continue to compete for progress, existence and a voice. Trans [...]
Starting Small By Natisha Toya (Jemez Pueblo/San Felipe) When first thinking about volunteering at CSVANW, I was nervous. First I was nervous because this is my first step after graduating from college into the “real world.” Also for the first time, I would be working and discussing topics I truly care about with other […]
By Benjamin Zamora (Pueblo de Cochiti) The Cochiti Youth Council (CYC) was founded on May 15, 2017. It was a collaborative effort between Cochiti Family Services and Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc. (FSIP) Prevention Program. CYC was started as a component in the Cochiti Family Services Grant to target youth and young adults ages 13-24. […]
By Abby Tso (Native American Community Academy Intern) How would I describe my time at my internship? I know many people who hate their internship and just try to make the time there go faster. Your internship is only boring if you make it boring. I don't see my internship like that at all it's been [...]
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) and the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico (RCCCNM) sponsored a Red Dress Jingle Special at UNM KIVA’s 63rd Annual Nizhoni Days Powwow on April 29, 2018. Because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) the CSVANW and the RCCCNM wanted to sponsor this Red [...]
The Little Boy Who Sits in the Corner By Lenny Hayes The little boy sits in the corner with his head between his legs. He looks up with no face, messed up hair, and tattered clothes. The little boy is scared, and feeling hopeless and helpless. He asks “why?” He wants to scream, yell, […]
Hello, my name is Jasmine Peratrovich. I am a senior at Cibola High School. I’m currently in a program called Healers of Tomorrow. The program teaches youth about the different medical fields. The program is paired up with the Institute of Native Health Initiative (NHI) where they are there to help our program and, help guide [...]
The Counter Narrative: DEER WOMAN A Photoblog by Lee Francis One in three Native women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Let that resonate. This is not some anomaly but rather speaks to the fact that Native people and Native women specifically are systematically silenced. Their stories are left untold and unheard. The eroticization and marginalization […]
Healing From Dysfunction by Dallas Goldtooth I need to speak about an issue at hand. A man I considered a close friend was recently exposed for being convicted of the crime of attempted voyeurism. This was a man many people looked up to in our community. He came from the people, rooted in the community […]
By: Joannie Romero Before we become absorbed in the consumerism of the month of February and Valentine’s day, we must take a moment to reflect on love, kinship, and strength. Our connections to people through blood ties or clanship are the result of highly complex traditional knowledge systems, dating back to time immemorial. These belief [...]
This Is Me By Abagail Tso Hi my name is Abagail Tso, i am 16 years old I am from pittsburgh pennsylvania and my tribes are Todích’íí’nii (bitter water) and Haltsooi (meadow people) I go to school at N.A.C.A (Native American Community Academy) And someday i hope to be a journalist, This school year I […]
By: Cheyenne Antonio Trafficking is not new to our tribal communities. Human Trafficking has been occurring in our tribal communities since pre-colonization over 500 years ago. We often times don’t believe it is happening at our own local community store, or at our powwows, or on social media, or within our own bordertowns or casinos, but […]
January 2018 is National Stalking Awareness Month: Call It Out For What It Is By: Keioshiah Peter Have you had someone follow you and show up wherever you are? Either online or in person? Has someone sent unwanted or excessive gifts, letters, direct messages, or emails to you? Do you feel like someone is monitoring your […]
Our Womxn Donation Drive will benefit our relatives who are being served by Street Safe New Mexico. Most of these relatives are survivors of trafficking and/or are living in unsafe situations. Street Safe New Mexico is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit that follows a harm-reduction philosophy by striving to reduce the harmful consequences associated with life […]
Water is life. In November, the #CSVANWTeam took the Notah Begay III Foundation’s Zero to 60 Challenge. A challenge that called on us to eliminate sugary drinks (sodas, sports drinks, juice drinks, sugary coffee, etc.) for 30 days and drink 60 ounces or more of water each day. Supporting our families and our communities, our […]
Friday. For most kids, Friday marks the beginning of two days of no school… a family fun-filled weekend of adventures, sleeping in or hours of playing to their heart’s content. But that was not the case for my sisters and I. Friday often marked the beginning of anxiety and fear. What did this […]
This holiday season, the Coalition is gearing up to once again give back and support our families and communities. Want to help? Here are some ideas on how you can support our mission, vision and work at CSVANW this holiday season. #GivingTuesday Giving Tuesday is a global movement that harnesses the collective power of communities […]
This Native American Heritage Month Let's Recognize Our Native LGBTQ+ Two-Spirit Relatives. 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 [...]
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? Violence against women and children is not a Native tradition and it never has been. Through colonization, our experienced trauma has manifested itself in unhealthy and violent practices including domestic violence. […]
The Coalition is accepting auction donations for their 2nd Annual Awards Gala and Auction on October 28, 2017. Please consider joining the #CSVANWImpact! CSVANW is humbly seeking art and auction donations! All proceeds from our auction go towards supporting CSVANW efforts. We are seeking Native American jewelry, art, pottery, baskets, etc. All donations are tax […]
Run for Her By David Adams Raising awareness for crimes against women in our communities is arguably one of the most powerful ways we can help reduce the disproportionate rates of violence. I ran last year because my daughter should never have to ask why women and children are subjected to such a high risk […]
For more information! Will your tribal community be represented at the national table by your tribal leaders? Ask them! #TribalConsultation17 Last year, in New Mexico, only 11 of our tribal leaders or their representatives attended tribal consultation. Now more than ever, tribal consultation is a critical collaboration and coordination process that guides our federal government [...]
On Saturday October 28, 2017, we will once again convene for our 2nd Annual Awards Gala and Auction. Join us in honoring exemplary advocates, organizations and community members that have made significant contributions over the last year in the movement to end violence against Native women and children. Last year, we recognized many outstanding individuals […]
By Jasmine Bradford This year's Native Youth Summit taught me so much. I learned about asking others for consent, how to be comfortable in your own body no matter what you identify as and to explore outside of our comfort zone. For the week, we learned about our bodies and doing what we can to [...]
By Taejonon Denetclaw Attending the 2017 Native Youth Summit was challenging, but mostly fun. During the days and nights we were there, I got many opportunities to take the knowledge that the CSVANW staff and chaperones gave to us that I could take back to my community to further develop my community and myself. The [...]
By Mya Yazzie The Native Youth Summit is a great experience that I'll always remember. I was nervous the first time I went to the summit because I hardly knew anybody. The second day I went there it was pretty fun because we did ice breakers and we got to know each other more better. [...]
By Shaylee Skidmore I was lucky to actually be interested and happy about my internship. I loved going in every Thursday because the ladies I worked with made my afternoons worthwhile. I never really felt like I was doing work because I always found myself enjoying the projects I was assigned to do, but it’s [...]
Hello, my name is Janessa Willeto and I am 16 years old. I was a member of the 2017 Native Youth Summit. Before coming into this summer, I was holding onto a lot of anger and sadness but with gentle and direct action, I was able to feel a whole lot better about myself and […]
By Orien Longknife Dagotee! Hello, how are you are? My name is Orien Longknife and I am a volunteer at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW). I am San Carlos Apache and White Clay, as well as Chippewa Cree. I am born to the Surrounded by Rocks clan, and made for [...]
By Brianna Toya My name is Brianna Toya from the Pueblo of Jemez and I am a member in the Native American Youth Council (NAYE). My experience at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) was a very exciting because it was my first time attending the conference. The first day, they had [...]
By Kymani Toya My name is Kymani Toya from the Pueblo of Jemez, and I am a member of the Native American Youth Empowerment (NAYE). My experience at the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) conference was very educating because it was my first time attending the summit and I felt that it [...]
As Native people we value family and community greatly; especially in a world that wishes to erase us and our history. With this in mind, imagine being 15 years old and feeling like family and your community are both throwing hatred and ignorance at you everyday. I was confused, lost, and lonely. What did I [...]
By Jerome Garcia My name is Jerome Garcia, I am Dine' (Navajo) and part Keresan (Acoma). My Diné clans are Tó'áhání(Near the Water), Tl'ááshchí'í (Red Bottom People), and my Maternal grandparents are Lók'aa' Dine'é(Reed People). My Paternal Keresan side I am Usraatra (Little Sun). My parents are Monica Tsosie from Whitehorse Lake, and my father [...]
By Naomi Glasses My name is Naiomi Glasses. I am Hask'aan Hadzohí, (Yucca-fruit-stung-out-in-a-line clan) born for Tł'ááschí'í (Red Bottom people). I'm 20 years old and hail from the beautiful Rock Point, Arizona. My favorite things to do when I'm not weaving are hiking, riding my horses, and skateboarding. The thing I enjoy most about Rock [...]
StrongHearts Native Helpline creates new hope for Native survivors of domestic violence By the StrongHearts team In its first six months of operation, the StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-7NATIVE) is offering hope to Native American victims of domestic violence and dating violence across Indian Country. Tribes, Native advocates and tribal coalitions including the Coalition to Stop [...]
Breaking the Cycle: Beginning with Bonding By Deleana OtherBull I was 30 when I had my son. I thought, given my age and being a Native American woman, that I would be naturally fully prepared and ready to take on this new chapter in my life… yet, I was very much nervous and anxious about […]
Building A Lifelong Bond By Reyes DeVore The connection between a mother and child is instrumental to the relationships we have with others throughout our lives. Mine exudes strength beyond what I ever thought I could hold. Like many things in life, it has been a process arriving to this space. This year I can […]
Resilience Indigenous Youth Knowledge – Reflections on the CSVANW Native Youth Summit: #WeAreTheMovement By Keioshiah Peter If there is one word that could encompass the vibrant atmosphere of the 6th Annual “We Are The Movement” Native Youth Summit 2017, it would have to be EMPOWERMENT. The 6th Annual Native Youth Summit follows our previous years […]
Unveiling a new series of Native youth-focused posters for our communities! A great addition to your classroom, community center, clinic or wellness center! Posters are FREE! Developed for youth, by youth! At the CSVANW, the focus we choose to do our work is from a place of empowerment and meeting our youth where they are. […]
This blog was contributed to CSVANW by our high school intern, Shaylee Skidmore, from the Native American Community Academy A part of my internship at CSVANW has been helping Keioshiah, the Youth Coordinator, create youth materials. I had the opportunity to create a poster for youth on dating rights. Dating rights are important to know […]
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: A Movement Towards Healing in New Mexico Tribal Communities blog by Devona Bradford Last month CSVANW was invited to be a guest speaker and join the Pueblo of Laguna for their community awareness event "Stride with Pride Against Sexual Violence.” 162 attendees joined us that day at the K'waika Center! What [...]
Remember That Good Is Enough blog by Rebecca Riley For many years, I was continually disappointed in myself for not doing enough. It was a battle of thoughts and feelings between what has to be done and what I wanted to be done as a mother, sometimes a partner, and as a woman deep into […]
The Change that Matters – blog by Angel Thomas, CSVANW Office Coordinator Nearly one year ago my heart broke for one of our babies…much like yours did. We all received the Amber Alert on our phones in the middle of night—a missing girl, her description, the last place she was seen, what she was wearing, […]
My Healing Journey- by Devona Bradford, CSVANW Sexual Assault Coordinator 7 years ago I was sitting in my office, I just started a new job and was getting to know my new work partner. We would have daily conversations about our families and exchange our stories. During one of these conversations she shared an experience […]
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! Join CSVANW’s fierce efforts to support our Tribal communities and local organizations! Below is a list of April’s communities initiatives CSVANW is partnering with. By Giving $5 today, you are helping CSVANW provide snacks, materials, and water for community events and mileage for #CSVANWteam to be in attendance. We […]
Native Women Warriors Set the Course for a Brighter Future by Hilary C. Tompkins Stories told about Native Americans often paint a dark picture, with dire statistics of poverty, unemployment, suicide, domestic violence, and substance abuse. We know suffering, struggle, and disenfranchisement. But a lesser known and prevalent theme in Indian Country is one of enduring […]
Honoring You by Cabinet Secretary Kelly Zunie Thinking of the many Native women I meet both professionally and personally I am amazed everyday at the sheer tenacity that they wake up with and face the world. I am especially inspired by the women who show up everyday to nurture their families, support their kids at their school/sporting […]
Balancing Life in the Social Change Movement by Deleana Otherbull, Executive Director My grandma is turning 75 next week. She called me a few days ago to tell me she’s driving to Albuquerque next month for a conference- and asked if I would like to go to the Denver March powwow in Colorado with she and […]
May We Raise Them by Angel Thomas, Office Coordinator I was awake before anyone else in the hospital room that September morning, even before the sun rising in the East. I stared out the window and prayed—and I’m not even religious. But, I knew my baby girl was coming that very day and I needed […]
Did you know that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)? by Keioshiah Peter, CSAVNW Native Youth Coordinator. This month serves as a platform for a national effort to raise awareness about dating violence and abuse in teen and 20-something relationships. Additionally, to promote programs that work to prevent and educate on TDV. According […]
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month -Kim Benally I am by no means an expert on human trafficking. Since joining CSVANW, I have attended many trainings and sat on various committees regarding human trafficking, but that does not make me an expert. I can tell you about the historical roots of trafficking as they pertain […]
By Keioshiah Peter, CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator In the last few days of 2016, CSVANW was able to attend the 6th Annual Striking Eagle Native American Invitational (SENAI) and Educational Fair to present on Social Media Safety for team members, parents, and coaches. The SENAI event works to build partnerships between tribal schools and the […]
New Year’s Resolution: Finding your work and family life balance! – Jana Pfeiffer Finding your work and family life balance is quite a challenge. As a mother of two kids, ages 8 and 10 years old, I’m find myself constantly striving to balance my responsibilities. It has been over a year now since being employed […]
December 2016 | The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women was one of twenty individuals and organizations across the nation that were awarded the 2016 Bonnie Heavy Runner Victim Advocacy Award at the 15th National Indian Nations Conference: Justice for Victims of Crime on December 9, 2016 in Palm Springs, California. Since 2006, the […]
Heart of the Home: Creating memories through cooking! -by Jana Pfeiffer Food has always been the center of every Indigenous culture. As a Diné woman, we are referred as the heart of the home and I take that role on very happily with my own children. I have many joyous memories of my own mother, aunties […]
Giving Tree Children’s Book Drive! This Holiday season give the gift of reading to a Native American child or family in a shelter! The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women has partnered again with Shumakolowa Native Arts, to present the Giving Tree Children’s Book Drive! These books will benefit a Native American child or family […]
Celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the shopping extravaganzas known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off a season of generosity with a worldwide day of giving. Last year, 700,000 people gave more than $116 million in 70 countries! This year, join the #GivingTuesday movement by making a gift to the […]
Jennifer John is Diné from Shiprock, NM. She currently resides in Albuquerque, NM with her daughter Ashima. She enjoys being a Middle School math teacher and helps her daughter excel with her performing arts classes. She loves to write poems as a way to express herself and for readers to invoke the experience she writes […]
Coalition family and friends, Our homes are the hearts of our families. Where family dinners and family connections often merge and fill our hearts with needed comfort… and where the laughter of our loved ones can be heard echoing through the halls. Home is where many of us feel deeply connected to; where the land, […]
Celebrating and honoring 20 years of service to New Mexico’s tribal communities, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women recently moved to new offices to accommodate a team that has more than doubled in size. CSVANW will be installing a handmade ceramic tile legacy wall in their new offices to commemorate and honor the […]
Blog Submission by Cheyenne Antonio. Anthonette Christine Cayedito. Remember her name. The legacy of violence against our Native women and children within New Mexico dates back to the Spanish and Euro-American invasion of our Native lands and our sacred bodies. From the Navajo Long Walk to the slave trades in Albuquerque’s Old Town to the current […]
Friday. For most kids, Friday often marks the beginning of two days of no school… a family fun-filled weekend of adventures, or sleeping in or hours of playing to their heart’s content. But that was not the case for my sisters and I. Friday often marked the beginning of anxiety and fear. What did this […]
The Coalition’s Honoring our 20 Years of Service to New Mexico Tribal Communities dinner reception was a truly memorable event. Thank you to the 130+ attendees who came out and celebrated with us! Notable guests include Governor Chavarria from Santa Clara Pueblo, Lt Governor Cheweiwei from Isleta Pueblo, US Attorney Damon Martinez, Navajo Nation Council […]
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women held it’s first-ever 5K run, in honor of October being Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness month!! The #iwillRUNforher 5K Domestic Violence Awareness Run took place at the beautiful Paso del Bosque Trail, at Tingley Beach on October 15, 2016, with over 100 people in attendance! It was pretty […]
Next month will mark my two-year work anniversary serving as the Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. To say that I am honored to serve in this capacity would be an understatement… this has been, by far, one of the greatest opportunities that I have ever been afforded and it […]
Using Domestic Violence Awareness Month to Start the Conversation -Kim Benally (Navajo Nation) Prior to joining the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, I believed I had no experience working with the domestic violence and sexual assault field. I readily told the hiring committee of my lack of experience in the field. Since that […]
Finding My Happy By Mariah Claw (Navajo Nation) You know how people always ask you what you want to be when you grow up or where you hope to be in five or ten years? Well, my answer has changed over and over again. But, I think I have finally decided on what I want […]
WOMEN AND WATER ARE SACRED! Tribal Coalitions walk into Sacred Stone Camp, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, ND. by Jana Pfeiffer What a night to remember! As a group of 35 women, representing the 18 Coalitions against Violence across the U.S., we graciously walked down the dirt road into the main entrance into Stone camp, chanting […]
More than likely, you’ve received an invite for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women’s upcoming “Honoring our 20 years of service to New Mexico tribal communities” dinner reception where we will be honoring and celebrating those who have contributed to our work and mission over the last 20 years. Haven’t received an invite? […]
Unveiled this week is the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women’s new project: “The Resilience That is Us” handmade Legacy Wall. In celebration of CSVANW’s 20 year anniversary, its expanding team and new offices, CSVANW is kicking off a community art project aimed at highlighting the work of its mission. The Resilience That is […]
#DearNativeYouth You All Amaze Me: Thoughts on the 2016 Native Youth Summit This past summer the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women held its 5th annual Native Youth Summit in Santa Ana Pueblo Territory at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya. We only had roughly four days with the young leaders in total but it was […]
#CSVANWTeam crossed the Resilience Run 2016 finish line! by Jana Pfeiffer With the weather just right, #CSVANWTeam crossed the Resilience Run 2016 finish line excitedly! Running along with community members is CSVANW’s vision for healthy Native people and bringing awareness to stopping violence! The running path trailed through Albuquerque’s North Valley neighborhood right next to an irrigation canal. It […]
In the last year alone, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women grew from a team of three to a team of eight- the largest team that the organization has had in its 20-year history. With the continued growth of the organization, new opportunities, and the organization’s need to expand their offices to accommodate […]
CSVANW was recently selected as one of a handful of organizations to provide input in identifying priorities and possible actions to President Obama’s new North American Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, which will meet for the first time at the White House this October. Last month, President Obama traveled to Ottawa […]
Our CSVANW Executive Director, Deleana OtherBull, was recently selected by our US Senator Tom Udall as one of three women chosen to be highlighted for this year’s New Mexico’s Women of Success Conference in Santa Fe, NM. Deleana spoke passionately about what it means to advocate for women and families in New Mexico’s workforce through […]
Untested rape kits: Clearing New Mexico’s backlog by Devona Bradford. If you’ve watched the news lately you may have seen the story on New Mexico’s backlog of sexual assault evidence kits. There are currently over 5,000 untested kits, dating back to 80’s. New Mexico is currently working with a number of partners, including the state auditor and […]
National movements within the past years for the safety of Native women and children has shed light on tribal communities and the harsh reality of violence. Violence is all to common on our Tribal Reservations across the Nation. In response to the recent death of Roslyn Rides Horse at the Crow Reservations and the murder […]
CSVANW would like to welcome our newest member to the #CSVANW Team! Keioshiah Peter will be serving as the Coalition’s new Native Youth Coordinator. Keioshiah brings years of exemplary experience working with community-based Native youth programs such as Rising Native Youth, Native Youth Leadership Alliance, the Rez Condom Tour and Young Women United. Keioshiah has […]
Thank you, Albuquerque relatives!!!! Last night, CSVANW brought in $6,031.22 in cash donations for #AshlynneMike ‘s family. This does not include all of the sealed cards and envelops for the family, gift cards provided for the family, and sealed checks made directly to the family (as we are not opening those in respect to the […]
NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Deleana OtherBull, dotherbull@csvanw.org or 505-243-9199 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – May 4, 2015 – The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) joins the voices of Native communities, families and friends across New Mexico in expressing its outrage and sadness over the recent abduction and murder of 11-year-old […]
What does it mean to honor and care for ourselves in this line of work? In the domestic and sexual violence field, as advocates we are constantly extending ourselves and our energies to people all around us… to our coworkers, clients, family, friends and strangers. We often may leave a meeting feeling tired, drained or […]
Honoring our Indigenous Sisters Candlelight Vigil by Jana Pfeiffer March is Women’s History Month, and the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women kicked off the month with a candlelight vigil event, “Honoring our Indigenous Sisters.” This community event brought out more than 75 people to share prayers, songs, dancing and words in honor […]
The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women is proud to support the inherent right of tribes and pueblos to protect their women and children from violence. We stand in solidarity with our fellow tribal coalitions from across the nation, as well as the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, the Indian Law Resource Center and [...]
The Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women held it’s first visionary strategic meeting with it’s new staff! It was an important marker for the Coalition, Board and our valued community members.
Compassion: Today, Tomorrow and the Future As the days get colder with the winter solstice nearing and the holidays right around the corner, for most people this is a time to come together with our families to share love and laughter.
When we opened our doors nearly 20 years ago, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women had one mission: to stop violence against Native women and children by advocating for social change in our communities.
