By Jovita Belgarde In late March, when COVID-19 materialized in New Mexico, many community organizers, began to scramble to find ways to support our people who were stressed to find food for their families during the stay at home order. Food security was a huge issue here in our traditional Tiwa territory also known as [...]
Greetings Relatives, The constant shifting in our daily routines is a strong reminder that our ability to adapt is rooted in a beautiful and resilient history. As our team learns what our role is in responding to this epidemic we are envisioning how we influence and advocate for a larger societal shift. A shift that [...]
Update The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force held its fourth meeting on Friday, February 21st, 2020 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The meeting featured presentations by the New Mexico Human Trafficking Task Force and Regina Chacon from the Department of Public Safety’s Law Enforcement Records Bureau. The task force also [...]
Update The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force gathered for a working session on Thursday, January 16th, 2020 at the Amerind Risk Management Facility in Santa Ana Pueblo. This session focused on developing clear goals and objectives, finalizing the scope of the final report and formalizing a data gathering plan. The task force also [...]
By Cecelia Westman These 300 words are dedicated to all of the service providers that I have had the pleasure of working with over these last couple of years here in New Mexico. It is never easy to leave a space that has served as your home for a majority of your adult life. I [...]
To highlight Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is hosting a TDVAM Poetry Challenge on Instagram and Facebook for youth. TDVAM is a national effort to raise awareness and prevent teens from violence. And to raise our community’s knowledge on teen dating violence and its effects [...]
By: Cecelia Westman, CSVANW Advocate Coordinator The Southwest region knows the names of Oñate and other Conquistadors well. The multitudes of narratives detailing the adventures of Spanish Explorers is often romanticized and memorialized with statues and monuments made from buildings and swaths of land, ignoring the actual translation of the Spanish noun, Conqueror. These depictions erase [...]
January 2020 Update The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force held its second convening on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Gallup, NM. The first part of the meeting was a closed working session. The discussion among task force members focused on defining the goals and objectives of our [...]
Living Roots is an up and coming duo from Oregon made up of Travis Bond and Logan Brown. Through their unique combination of world instruments & soulful vocals the two create an uplifting atmosphere full of infectious good vibes. Mixing Didgeridoo, Flute, Kalimba, Ukulele and other distinctive sounds they are always finding new avenues of [...]
We had approximately 300 hundred participants dedicate their run, jog or walk to victims and survivors of domestic violence at our 4th Annual #IWillRunForHer 5k on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at the Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI). Our annual #IWillRunForHer 5k is held every October in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to promote [...]
On October 31st, Artists at Aces Tattoo in Albuquerque will be holding a Tattoo flash event to raise funds for CSVANW. Our artists Bianca Sanchez, David Torres, and Flowerhead are working on original designs that clients will be able to choose from and have tattooed for a flat rate. Half of all proceeds generated at [...]
Native women are extremely impacted by violence. More than 4 in 5 Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime. This includes1: 56.1% who have experienced sexual violence 55.5% who have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner 48.4% who have experienced stalking. These are not just statistics. These are our mothers, sisters, and daughters. [...]
Click image to download social media toolkit The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), first passed in 1994, provides a lifeline for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It’s been months since the House of Congress passed H.R.1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (see details on H.R. 1585 here), [...]
Michelle wearing the "KASHÉESHỊ" (white corn) Earrings draped in the “Whispering Blossoms” Wool blanket. Photograph by: Hannah Manuelito By: Michelle Lowden, Pueblo of Acoma (she/her/hers) Behind the design - The two figures represent the sisters that are a part of the creation story in Acoma who gave life to the Earth we now share. The [...]
WALKATHON TO SUPPORT NON-VIOLENCE Mahatma Gandhi (M. K. Gandhi, referred to as Gandhi ji) is known as the “Father of the Nation” for India as he was the champion for the non-violence movement in India and that resulted in the freedom of India. Dr. Martin Luther King was a big believer in Gandhi ji’s ideology [...]
Will your community be represented at the national table by your Tribal Leaders? Ask them! The U.S. Department of Justice invites Tribal Leaders to join the 14th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. August 21-22, 2019 in New Buffalo, Michigan. The purpose of the consultation is to solicit recommendations from tribal government leaders on [...]
By: Ryan Martin, Nashashi Strength & Conditioning “I write this piece with a heavy heart because our precious Native children are dying unnecessarily. Scholars and investigators seem to come to an absolute cause of their deaths, but is this enough? What else can be done to further protect our innocent children? The answers of causation [...]
By Trudie Jackson (Diné) American Indian transgender women and sexual violence is a topic that is often left out of conversations addressing any form of violence due to the gender binary of social construct introduced by colonizers. While transgender women of color face all forms of violence due to their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, [...]
By: Stephanie C. Sandoval The epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women has plagued our nation for numerous unvoiced years. While our sisters, mothers, and aunts go missing with little assistance from law enforcement we are forced to remember their love, their smiles, their jokes with no answers or justice being served for their murders. [...]
By: Cecelia Westman, CSVANW Advocate Coordinator What does it mean to be well? Is wellness a state that we maintain or is wellness a goal that we pursue once we are faced with illness or some form of hurt? I often contend with these questions because of the environments that I am immersed in and the [...]
By: Alerga Roybal If you look at my blog when I first started I said that this place was different. It still is. I came to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women in August 2018 and I am leaving in June. It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this [...]
By: Curtison Badonie, CSVANW Media & Communications Coordinator Recently, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women held our 6th Annual Tribal Leaders Summit. At this summit we were honored to host various solution-based presentations to help increase conversations around public safety for our Native women, children, men, and our LGBTQ Two-Spirit relatives. The two-day summit […]
By Keioshiah Peter, CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator, & Cecelia Westman, CSVANW Advocate Coordinator In recent research, Native Americans endure alcoholism-related mortality rates that are 514% higher than the general population. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Native Americans and is nearly three times higher than the national rate (Indian Health Service, 2012). […]
By Becky Johnson “My name is Becky Johnson. I am Navajo/Ojibway from Shiprock, NM. My clans are Ozei Tachiini born for Tohani. Nakai Dine shi cheii and Redlake Ojibway shi Nali. I am a survivor of sexual assault, and one of my healthy outlets is running. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and for the […]
By Anonymous (Out of respect for the privacy of myself and the parties mentioned in this blog) A lot of the time when you hear the words “dating violence,” you automatically think of physical violence. However, often enough when it comes to dating, especially in teens, violence occurs through mental, emotional, spiritual, and sexual abuse […]
By Cecelia Westman, CSVANW Advocate Coordinator As an advocate who has long been influenced by the work of the women around me, I was very happy at the outcomes of this recent election and I was reminded of an early social justice activist that was doing this work long before it was called social justice, […]
Yá’át’ééh, shik’éí dóó shidine’é. Shí éí Hayley Domingo yinishyé. Kiyaa’áanii nishłį́, Táchii’nii bashishchiin. Ta’neeszahnii dashicheii. Kin ł ichii’nii dashinalí. Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́. Hello, my family and my people, my name is Hayley Domingo. I am from The Towering House clan and born for The Red Running into the Water People clan. My maternal grandfathers […]
Throughout the month of February, we will be adding to Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) to raise our communities knowledge on dating violence and its effects on Native youth in the state of New Mexico. This is to help provide support for young people who are experiencing violence and to encourage our Tribal communities […]
By: Taejonon Denetclaw “Hey” *message seen* 1 hour ago. “Should I message again? — No, I shouldn’t I don’t wanna seem clingy.” “Oh hey, sorry, I was at work all day… Do you wanna meet sometime later this week” “Sure” “Hey I’ll meet you there at 8 tonight” “Hey i’m here” I wait a couple […]
By Alegra Roybal, CSVANW Sexual Violence Project Coordinator When we think about the issues facing young people, we have to take them seriously. We cannot say that their issues are silly, immature or dramatic. We know this because issues like teen dating violence are serious and are impacting our communities. The Centers for Disease Control […]
Shekoli, My name is Sierra John (Oneida Nation & Pueblo of Santa Clara), and I am happy to have the opportunity to work with the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) as a practicum intern for the next few months. I recently moved to Albuquerque from Columbia Missouri where I attended the University […]
Happy New Year Coalition family, friends and supporters! As we gear up for an exciting year at CSVANW, we are embracing and reinvesting ourselves into our mission, vision and work. For any organization or program, the beginning of each new year brings renewal, hopefulness and vision. As we head into 2019, CSVANW is committed to […]
By: Cheyenne Antonio Sex trafficking in our tribal communities is a continuance of violence in our communities that we have been dealing with for centuries, so it is not a new concept. As the sex trafficking project coordinator and a Dine womxn/ person of color it’s also not new when justice systems have historically worked […]
By: Keioshiah Peter, CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator As we begin 2019, it is extremely important to remind your relatives that the month of January is National Stalking Awareness Month and every day is a perfect opportunity to share this with someone you care about so they too can be aware of this issue. Many make […]
By: Cecelia Westman, CSVANW Advocate Coordinator During December, how often is it that you tend to engage in conversations with your friends, family, and co-workers about your accomplishments during the year and the challenges that you have faced? For many, the end of the year leads to goal setting for the upcoming calendar months. The […]
By Deleana OtherBull, CSVANW Executive Director As our winter ceremonies begin, we recently saw our first snowfall in Albuquerque. A dusting of much-needed moisture, renewal, and healing. As CSVANW starts to wind down its year, our team is taking a look back in the rearview mirror of 2018. This year brought gratitude. Together, we did [...]
For most kids, Friday marks the beginning of two days off from school…two full days of playing, laughing and being kids. That wasn’t always the case for my sisters and me. Friday often marked the beginning of anxiety and fear. On Friday afternoons, questions weighed heavy on mind… What did this weekend have in store [...]
By Casey Long Hello! My name is Casey Long, and I am the youngest of the six children my parents raised in Gallup, NM. I currently work for a nonprofit called Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment (COPE) and recently been accepted to Grand Canyon University for my Masters in Public Health. Looking back on my [...]
By Kim Benally November is the month of giving and the month of gratitude. Both of these concepts are not foreign to Indigenous people, giving and gratitude are woven into our community and family values, something we’ve always done. In my own Navajo culture, when a baby first laughs, we celebrate with food and family. [...]
By: Natisha Toya While interning at CSVANW, I got the opportunity to attend the 2ndannual Young Indigenous Queers Retreat. It is a safe space for young individual queer people to come and have discussions about topics that aren’t often accepted, or talked about from a heteronormative framework. Some presentations were on identity, gender, sex, reproductive [...]
By Jaron Kee Hey, everyone! My name is Jaron, I’m a member of the Navajo Nation and a fourth-year medical student at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. I was raised in Crystal, NM. Growing up in a traditionally centered family, we were taught the importance of kinship from a young age. At [...]
By Celena McCray of We R Native Suicide is a troubling topic that most of us would rather not deal with, but suicide is a reality, and it is more common than we would like to think. By paying attention to warning signs, talking about the “unthinkable,” getting connected with family, friends and our culture [...]
By Naomi Jiron The topic of suicide is challenging, especially for young people experiencing suicidal ideation. There are a variety of reasons for this. First, there’s the stigma surrounding suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Let’s break that down a bit more by looking at the definitions for each term. Suicide refers to the act of taking [...]
By Alegra Roybal This place is different. I started my first day at CSVANW on August 10th, 2018 when the morning air was still warm and schools buses started running. I knew this place was different when I sat down for my first team meeting and we started with body stretches. Our Executive Director noted [...]
Compiled by Angel Charley CSVANW Membership and Outreach Coordinator As October approaches and the feel of fall breeze is making its welcomed way into early morning routines, CSVANW invites our readers to honor change; change that comes with a new season, change that comes when cycles of violence are broken, and the change that is [...]
By Natisha Toya While interning at CSVANW, I learned about violence, abuse, and how to break these harmful cycles. Through learning and gaining experience, I realized that many of the behaviors I learned and live by may be harmful or abusive in some ways. This was the first step to breaking cycles of violence in [...]
By Jessica Benally Having children should not deter others from fulfilling their passion; for me, that passion is medicine. Since a young age, I knew I wanted to go into medicine despite limited exposure to health careers. When I was younger, my father always told me that I was going to be a doctor when [...]
By: CSVANW Intern Natisha Toya (Jemez Pueblo/San Felipe) Indigenous womyn and gender queer have suffered and continue to suffer from the negative effects of patriarchy in many ways. About 4 out of 5 Native womyn have or will experienced violence at some point in their lives. 85% of Native Womyn that identify as LGBTQ2s+ experience [...]
Summer Beach Body Boot Camp at Titanium Fitness Blog Submission by: Tam Davis CSVANW Office Coordinator Week 1: Just the thought of it is enough to give you chills down your spine, isn’t it? I had a choice about whether or not I wanted to join most of my coworkers in doing this. Normally, I [...]
By: Shelane Rosales Thank you to Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women for giving First Nations Community HealthSource- EAST the opportunity to attend the 2018 Women Are Sacred Conference. In attendance EAST learned a lot from the breakout sessions, enjoyed networking with women across Indian country, made some quality connections and learned of vital resources [...]
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 […]
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 […]
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 weekend have in […]
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 […]
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 Tribal Coalitions against Violence across the U.S., we graciously walked down the dirt road into the main entrance into Stone camp, […]
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.
