The Crises of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Persons
By: Betsy Tulee, ICW Consultant for Region 3
Indigenous women and girls experience alarmingly high rates of violence including stalking, rape, domestic violence, human trafficking and murder such that it constitutes a public health crisis. According to the National Institute for Justice, ”More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women and men have experienced violence in their lifetime, and more than one in three experienced violence in the past year…’. (Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov).)
Homicide is the third-leading cause of death among Native women ages 10 to 24, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute, and Native women are victims of murder more than 10 times the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, there is an epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, men and Two-Spirit persons (indigenous LGTBQ persons). In Washington state, American Indian/Alaska Native/Canadian First Nations persons make up two-percent of the overall population but make up 7% of missing women and 5% of missing men. (Missing and Murdered Native American Women Legislative Report (wa.gov)).
Historical research and indigenous traditional knowledge demonstrate that violence against women and children were considered aberrant and unacceptable prior to colonization. Women were honored, held important roles and often were in positions of power. Violence against indigenous women has its roots in colonial history and was often perpetrated with the express purpose of destroying tribal cultures and populations. This violence had been unrecognized and unaddressed until recent years. (Violence Against Native Women Has Colonial Roots - Progressive.org.) There are now efforts by grass roots organizations, tribes, multiple states, and the federal government to combat the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW/G) through legislation, training and funding. More recently, advocacy has helped raise awareness of missing and murdered Two-Spirit persons and indigenous men as well.
Red Dress Day, observed on Friday, May 5, is designed to commemorate, honor, and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subjected to disproportionate violence. Originating in Canada, Red Dress Day is now recognized in the US as well. DCYF is honored to support Red Dress Day and will be providing information on activities and events that will happen throughout the state on Friday, May 5 in upcoming communications.
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By: Jeanne Olney, ICW Consultant for Region 4
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Supervisor Charles Loeffler and caseworker Kelsey Moore from the Family Treatment Court program in Region 4. In this program, parents receive additional support and accountability for their recovery in a variety of ways. The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) caseworkers in this program have a reduced caseload which allows for more intense work with their assigned families. Kelsey was assisting another Social Worker with Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) tracking on a particular case, which can be very detailed. When her peer moved on, the case came to Kelsey due to her established familiarity with the case. While Kelsey admits that the case has been very demanding, she shares what she has learned and how her practice has grown.
Read the full article.
Accepting Nominations for Engaging Father Award
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families wants to recognize fathers who have a successful outcome with their child welfare case for the Inaugural Engaging Father Celebration in June.
The recipient will receive two nights at Great Wolf Lodge Water Park-Grand Mound. To be eligible, the father:
- Must have a child in dependency (within the past 12 months)
- Must live in Washington State
Nominations need to include the following:
- The father’s name
- Why they should be recognized
- Examples of the father demonstrating positive behavioral changes (ex: participating in the process)
This award/celebration is part of DCYF’s Engaging Fathers project (previously called Fathers Matter). Historically, child welfare agencies have a difficult time engaging with fathers. The purpose of Engaging Fathers is to partner with biological fathers throughout the dependency process.
If you know a father that would like to be considered, please email dcyf.recognition@dcyf.wa.gov nomination information by Sunday, April 30, 2023.
Join us at We Are Family Day on May 7
Join us on Sunday, May 7, as the Mariners take on the Houston Astros to celebrate foster, kinship, adoptive families, and the people who support them.
Enjoy a fun-filled day at the ballpark, visit us on the Rooftop Boardwalk (near Section 330) for a pregame event, watch a foster youth/child throw the ceremonial first pitch, and pick up a limited-edition We Are Family Mariners-themed blanket (available to all individuals holding a specially priced We Are Family ticket).
Tickets are available at http://www.mariners.com/wearefamily for the special price of $20 for seats on the main level and $10 for view level.
Community Self Determination Grant
Indigenous-led organizations working in the defense, development, and/or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth. Food sovereignty and language revitalization are a couple examples of eligibility efforts that qualify for this funding.
Grants are $100,000 per year, for two years
Applications are due Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Learn More: https://grants.ndncollective.org/community-self-determination-grant/
Office of Homeless Youth 2023-25 Competitive Funding
The Washington State Department of Commerce Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) expects approximately $28 million in funding for multiple contracts to support outreach, shelter, housing and services for youth and young adults, ages 12-24, experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Award: Multiple up to 28 Million
Applications are due Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Learn More: Office of Homeless Youth 2023-25 Competitive Funding
Early Learning Facilities Grant Application Workshop
The Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC), Early Learning Facilities program provides funding to early learning and child care providers to expand facilities or purchase new facilities, creating more Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) slots.
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Thursday, May 11, 2023 | Early Learning Facilities Grant Application Workshop | 1 – 3 p.m. | Register
FY 2023 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program
This program provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies to support activities and expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of cold case murders involving civil rights violations.
Learn more: FY 2023 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program
- Grants.gov Deadline: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
- JustGrants Deadline: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tribal MIECHV Implementation and Expansion Grants
Tribal MIECHV Implementation and Expansion Grants are intended for tribal entities with an established history of implementation and who are currently implementing evidence-based home visiting services to AIAN families and children (including current Tribal MIECHV grant recipients).
Applications are due Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Learn More: Tribal MIECHV Implementation and Expansion Grants
Tribal Court Improvement Program
Grant Opportunity Number: HHS-2023-ACF-ACYF-CS-0053
Award Ceiling $150,000
Application Deadline: Thursday, June 15, 2023
Learn More: Tribal Court Improvement Program
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to solicit proposals for up to seven grants to tribal governments or tribal consortia to improve the handling of American Indian and Alaska Native child welfare cases by tribal courts. The grants will provide support to tribal governments for the following:
- Conducting assessments of how tribal courts (including courts for tribal consortia) handle child welfare proceedings.
- Implementing changes to address the results of child welfare court assessments.
- Ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being needs of children are met in a timely and complete manner.
- Continuously improving the quality of court hearings and legal representation, including the engagement of parties, through training and efforts to increase substantive and procedural justice.
USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options for Underserved Producers and Tribal Communities
This new grant program will provide up to $50 million to improve tribal nations’ food and agricultural supply chain resiliency by developing and expanding value-added infrastructure related to meat from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer or salmon. The program will fund projects that focus on expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling or distribution of indigenous meats.
Learn more: Indigenous Animals Grants webpage
Application deadline: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Puyallup Tribe
Puyallup Tribe of Indians Children Services Program - Children's Services - Director, Open until Filled
Harvard University Native American Program – Indigenous Health & Well Being Colloquium
- Wednesday, April 26 | Culture-Centered Suicide Prevention with Native American Youth | 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Attend Webinar
State ICWA Laws: Lessons Learned & Where Are We Going?
Join the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. for a web-based conversation on the State ICWA Laws: Lessons Learned & Where Are We Going?
The webinar will address State ICWA laws and their implementation to address Indian family integrity in support of the gold standard values in the federal ICWA passed by congress in 1978. This past 2023 legislative session, eight states introduced ICWA legislation to amend an existing comprehensive state ICWA or introduce a new comprehensive state ICWA to join the already 10 states that have an ICWA law in their state. Wyoming is the most recent state to pass a new law just this year.
Join a dynamic panel of policy makers in a discussion about state-based legal protections for Indian families and Tribal sovereignty.
- Thursday, April 27 | ICWA State Laws Webinar | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Register today
National Indian Justice Center Tribal Crisis Response Program free webinars
- Thursday, April 27 | Developing a TCR-Suicide Response MDTs | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register
- For more information, please click here.
- Wednesday, May 24 | Focus on MMIWG2 in Tribal Crisis Response | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register
- For more information, please click here.
- Monday, June 26 | Developing a Tribal Emergency Operations Plan | 1 – 3 p.m. | Register
- For more information, please click here.
13th Annual Lushootseed Language Conference 2023
- Saturday, April 29 | “Weaving Song and Language” | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Seattle University, Boeing Room in LeMieux Library
Lunch included for in-person attendees; Option to stay and view Healing Heart film afterwards, $40 General Registration advance purchased; $50 at the door; $20 Students & Elders
Scholarships available, please contact: jill@lushootseed.org
Register: https://lushootseedresearch.org/
2023 National Forum: All About Fathers* and the Men* in Children’s Lives (*cis and transgender)
Men are critically important to children's development, learning and wellbeing, yet they are often little more than an afterthought in supports and programming for families. Families are changing, and so is fatherhood. So many men want to be more involved in raising their children. Yet they're not always welcome when they show up at programs and services for families. Programs and providers are often unprepared to open up space for fathers and the other men in children's lives.
National Center for Victims of Crime
Talking Circle: Supporting Families of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People when a loved one goes missing or is murdered, the family experiences profound trauma, grief, and pain; the long-lasting impacts of a Missing or Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) are felt by entire communities. Support and services are available to assist families as they search for a loved one or seek justice on behalf of a family member. Join this no-cost webinar and hear from American Indian and Alaska Native panelists as they share services benefiting MMIP families, financial resources to support these efforts, and the healing impact survivor services can have on MMIP families.
- Wednesday, May 3 | Talking Circle: Supporting Families of MMIWP | 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. | Register
Living Breath Food Symposium – Indigenous Foods Symposium
This symposium brings people together to share knowledge on topics such as traditional foods, plants and medicines; environmental and food justice; food sovereignty/security; health and wellness; and treaty rights.
2023 Fatherhood Summit (Virtual)
Co-parenting one of the most important ways parents can support their children. It requires a lot of effort from everyone involved and does not come naturally to many people. Fortunately, emotional barriers and hurt feelings can be worked through with patience, empathy, and communication. Join us virtually for three half days from 8:30 am to noon of insightful presentations, informative panels, and lively discussion about how we can all work together to support effective co-parenting.
Learn More: https://wafatherhoodcouncil.org/dad-allies-initiative/annual-fatherhood-summit/2023-fatherhood-summit
- Tuesday – Thursday, May 16 – 18 | 2023 Fatherhood Summit – Virtual Conference | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register
National Indian Education Association Community Talk Series: Our Languages
NIEA, NCAI, and other Language partners want to hear directly from Native American language learners, practitioners, teachers, activists, and tribal leaders about the current successes, needs, and landscape of our languages. These are not only gatherings meant to be a place of sharing but a place of coalition building so all our stakeholders can be on the same page when we are working with the federal government to empower our language communities. These sessions are meant to be safe and productive spaces to have serious conversations about the future of our languages and what is needed to continue to protect and strengthen them for the coming generations.
Learn More: https://niea.site-ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1736487
- Wednesday, May 3 | Language Users and Learnings | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Register
- Wednesday May 17 | Capacity Building and Planning Needs | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Register
- Wednesday, May 24 | Best Practices & Government Accountability | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Register
Maternal Health Equity and Well-being Webinar Series
Maternal mortality and morbidity in the U.S. is rising, and Black birthing people experience the greatest risk. This growing crisis in maternal health equity underscores the structural and systemic racism that has disproportionally impacted birthing persons, families, and communities of color. In reality, eighty percent of maternal deaths are preventable. Given the deep relationship-building that happens within home visiting, home visitors and the organizations that support them have a key role to play in reducing disparities and helping new families thrive.
This three-part learning series is offered free of charge and will build home visitor skills in supporting people who are pregnant and/or have recently given birth. The series is grounded in racial equity and social justice. Speakers will bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds to each webinar and offer action steps for change.
Learn More: Maternal Health Equity and Well-being Webinar Series
Register: https://web.cvent.com/event/02504196-af14-453a-a668-db655e8bc7d5/regProcessStep1
- Tuesday, May 23 | Physical Recovery, Anticipatory Guidance, & Maternal Health Warning Signs | 9 – 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, June 27 | Maternal Mental Health and Self Care | 9 – 10 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 26 | Building and Mobilizing Support | 9 – 10 a.m.
National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents
For American Indian Alaska Native Parents – Train the Trainer (free)
Tribes attending are eligible to receive free technical assistance (ends 9/29/24):
- May 22-25
- September 6, 7, 13 & 14
Learn more and register: https://ntdcportal.org/for-american-indian-alaska-native-parents/
Indigenous Home Visiting Meeting Rooted In Traditions – Growing Through Connections
Save the Date: Tuesday – Thursday, June 6 – 8, 2023
Location: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 300 Army Navy Dr. Arlington, WA 22202
Learn more: 2023 Indigenous Home Visiting Meeting
Register through Friday, May 12, 2023, please click here.
Photograph used with permission by Elise Krohn from Tend, Gather and Grow Teaching Toolkit.
GRuB’s Wild Food and Medicines Program (WFM) helps people to learn about, access, and protect nutritious wild foods and medicines through hands-on, place-based, and culturally relevant activities. We convene groups of experts to create innovative educational resources such as the Tend, Gather and Grow Teaching Toolkit and Plant Teachings for Growing Social-Emotional Skills.
Saturday April 22, 2023 - Cultural Ecosystems: Wetlands Teacher Training
Learn about wetland ecosystems that Pacific Northwest regional tribes have cultivated since time immemorial. We will start the day at GRuB with an overview lesson and then will head to the McLane Creek nature trail to explore wetland ecosystems. Scholarships available for Tribal ECE programs.
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - Cultural Ecosystems: Camas Prairies Teacher Training
Learn about camas prairie ecosystems that Pacific Northwest regional tribes have cultivated since time immemorial. Many children grow up thinking that humans are harmful to the land. Through learning about cultural ecosystems, youth see how people can promote biodiversity and well-being through conscientious stewardship. Scholarships available for Tribal ECE programs.
Tuesday, July 11, 2023 - Cultural Ecosystems: Food Forests and Urban Landscapes Teacher Training We will explore how to identify, harvest, and prepare many wild berries and nutritious and medicinal “weeds.”Walk away with tangible ideas for diversifying your schoolyard with useful native plants. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Scholarships available for Tribal ECE programs.
Skykomish Valley Indian Education 19th Annual Traditional Pow Wow
- Saturday, May 27 | Monroe High School Commons | 17001 Tester Road | Monroe, WA 98272
- Everyone Welcome - Free Admission | Free Dinner Served | Cultural Arts Vendors
- Grand Entries 1 and 6 p.m. | Retiring Colors 9 p.m. | MC: Randy Vendiola Host Drum: 206
For Pow Wow or Vendor Information Contact Mars Miller:
360-793-0279 | 425-359-8935 | millerm@monroe.wednet.edu
Sponsored by: Monroe, Snohomish and Sultan School Districts’ and Skykomish Valley Indian Education Program and SVIE Parent Organization
Watch Coexist Free for the Month of April
In honor of Genocide Awareness and Prevention month, Coexist is free to stream at home for all of April. Upstander Project’s first film focuses on Rwanda’s unprecedented social experiment in government-mandated reconciliation, which is revealed through the eyes of a diverse range of survivors: victims, perpetrators, and those who bore witness to the 1994 genocide.
Watch
Dictator in the Dock
It was the first time ever anyone had been tried for genocide against Indigenous People in the Americas. General Efraín Ríos Montt was put on trial for genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Maya-Ixil people of Guatemala. It took a 30-year quest for justice on the part of the survivors and their legal representatives, plus the political will of bold judges and jurists in Guatemala to reach this moment. Our friends at Skylight gathered a group of filmmakers from Guatemala, Colombia, and the U.S. to document the whole trial in real time, from the first gavel strike to the verdict.
Right now, to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2013 trial, Skylight is re-releasing the 24-part web series Dictator in the Dock free on their Facebook.
Watch
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