May 7, 2020
May 5th was a historic day in Idaho, marking the first ever Idaho Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Day of Awareness as legislated back on March 18, 2020. May 5th is also the National Day of Awareness honoring Native women and girls who have disappeared or been murdered.
Addressing violence against Indigenous communities is ongoing, tireless work. The Idaho Coalition seeks to empower and support the Kootenai, Nez Perce, Coeur d’Alene, Shoshone-Bannock, and Shoshone Paiute tribes in their efforts to protect their communities from further tragedy associated with Missing & Murdered Indigenous People. Currently underway as part of the Idaho Thriving Families grant, is a webinar series designed to improve the systems of service provision for families and their children impacted by domestic violence. The series includes a narrative shift around how we understand Indigenous communities, as well as an exploration of themes extracted from listening sessions held within Native communities back in 2019. Those themes include: “Learn Sovereignty & Jurisdiction,” “Elders as Mentors,” “Matriarchy,” and “Access to Ceremony.” These are a high-level exploration meant to provide non-Native victim services advocates and providers a lens with which to interact and support Native families and their children impacted by violence. Keep any eye out for this launch.
The second prong of this work includes a podcast series, a storied connection, from Indigenous communities sharing their experiences with service provision in Idaho. We’ll hear insight on how they felt, how they were received, where they went, and what obstacles they had to being supported. We’ll hear insight on how they felt, how they were received, where they went, and what obstacles they had to being supported.
It is important to understand that MMIW or people in general, domestic and sexual violence, and so many other systems of oppression are intersected when it comes to Indigenous communities. The interconnectedness of their families and nations is why they are so resilient, but there is no one singular issue for us to tackle so their communities may thrive, especially in the face of hundreds of years of settler colonialism.
The purpose of MMIP Day of Awareness in Idaho is just that: addressing historical atrocities, to understand the current pervasive issues of violence are significant in solution-finding and prevention. MIMP Day of Awareness is also about ensuring survivor voices are centered and lifted up as part of the discussion. Grassroots organizers and survivor families absolutely must be amplified in this work. The Idaho Coalition is committed to taking our lead from Indigenous communities, serving and supporting their clearly stated needs.
On May 5th, in solidarity, the Idaho Coalition staff wore RED to support the MMIP awareness effort.
During the month of May, a book club featuring The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America by Sarah Deer will allow us to dig deeper into our work as advocates, changemakers, and organizers. There will be two 90-minute discussions on May 29th and June 5th (1 PM-2:30 PM PST / 2PM-3:30PM MST on both days). Community members and DV/SA advocates are invited to participate in the discussion whether or not you have read the book.
Tai Simpson
tai@engagingvoices.org
Three Things to reach out to me for:
The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence invites you to join one or more of the book discussions for advocates this spring on a selection of books that can inform your work! We will purchase the books (paperback, e-book or audio book if available) and mail it to your home or work address. The books and the dates for the discussion are listed below:
The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America (2015) (232 pages) by Sarah Deer – Part I Friday, May 29th and Part II Friday, June 5th 1 PM PT/2 PM MT – 2:30 PM PT/3:30 PM MT (90 minutes: 2 sessions – Broader Community Discussion) Violence against Native women is historical and political, bounded by oppression and colonial violence. This book is aimed at engaging the problem head-on—and ending it. Deer provides a clear historical overview of rape and sex trafficking in North America, paying particular attention to the gendered legacy of colonialism in tribal nations—a truth largely overlooked or minimized by Native and non-Native observers. She articulates strategies for Native communities and tribal nations seeking redress and describes how tribal self-determination efforts of the twenty-first century can be leveraged to eradicate violence against women. Her work bridges the gap between Indian law and feminist thinking by explaining how intersectional approaches are vital to addressing the rape of Native women.
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies (2017) (300 pages) by Resmaa Menakem – Friday, June 12th -1 PM PT/2 PM MT – 2:30 PM PT/3:30 PM MT (90 minutes – Broader Community Discussion) In this groundbreaking book, therapist Resmaa Menakem examines the damage caused by racism in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology.The body is where our instincts reside and where we fight, flee, or freeze, and it endures the trauma inflicted by the ills that plague society. Menakem argues this destruction will continue until Americans learn to heal the generational anguish of white supremacy, which is deeply embedded in all our bodies. Our collective agony doesn’t just affect African Americans. White Americans suffer their own secondary trauma as well. So do blue Americans—our police. My Grandmother’s Hands is a call to action for all of us to recognize that racism is not about the head, but about the body, and introduces an alternative view of what we can do to grow beyond our entrenched racialized divide.
Sign up for these books here!
The Idaho Coalition celebrates success as part of the annual Idaho Gives campaign exceeding the fundraising goal by over $2000. The Idaho Coalition embraces abundance – use only what is needed and share abundantly. We have enough to continue our work during the pandemic. To that end, the Idaho Coalition will immediately distribute 100% of the funds raised during IDAHO GIVES to survivors of violence from communities most impacted by marginalization through our networks. Here’s why: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and people of color, LGBTQI or gender non-binary people, and people with disabilities, disproportionately experience discrimination and violence and are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
The Idaho Thriving Families team is excited to be in the final stretch of the grant. In light of COVID-19 precautions a few of the deliverables will be augmented to meet requirements while keeping us all safe in our homes. We have a series of webinars and/or trainings on anti-oppression framework and/or culturally responsive and trauma-informed services. Topics we’re considering at this time include but are not limited to: healthy relationships for young folks, fatherhood and systems of oppression, intergenerational trauma and healing, surviving and thriving in a culture of violence, and more. Please feel free to reach out to tai@engagingvoices.org if you have any site-specific training needs or requests. Additionally, if you are a Thriving Families site please remember to submit your invoices to us as well. Keep an eye out for our remaining Monthly Learning Community Calls (next one Wednesday, May 13 at 12PM MST/11AM PST) and training announcements.
Tai Simpson
tai@engagingvoices.org
Three Things to reach out to me for:
Statewide Fair Housing Training
Monday, May 11, 2020 | 2-4 PM MT
Join Legal Coordinator, Alison Brace and IFHC’s Council, Ken Nagy for a look at the Fair Housing Act’s seven protected classes. Ken and Alison will discuss the basics of the Fair Housing Act and then dive into hot topics regarding protected classes. The presenters will cover assistance animals, reasonable accommodations, sex-based stereo typing, and more.
Encouraged to attend:
Community Members, Housing Providers, Advocates, Government Personnel, Real Estate Agents, Attorneys.
Register here!
Services to Minors Webinar
Wednesday, May 13th | 12:30 PM PT/1:30 PM MT
Idaho Coalition attorney Molly Kafka will be providing a webinar on the legal aspects on providing services to minors.
You can register for the webinar here!
Racism, Domestic Violence & Black Maternal Mortality — What Can Advocates Do?
Wednesday, May 13th | 12PM MT
Over the past year, there has been increased attention on the poor health outcomes and inequities for Black birthing people. At the same time, many Black birthing people have experienced Domestic violence. But how can domestic violence programs help address this crisis? This webinar will help advocates understand the unique and important roles that doulas and midwives can play in supporting Black pregnant survivors, and how domestic violence programs can partner with them effectively. Policy opportunities to increase access and improve the healthcare response to racism, domestic violence and Black maternal mortality will also be discussed.
Register here!
Serving Non-Citizens fearful of accessing public benefits in the time of COVID-19
Monday, May 18, 2020 | 1:30-3PM MT
Is it safe to get public benefits? Overview of public benefit eligibility for different classes of non-citizens; potential consequences with specific integration of COVID-19 testing and treatment.
Register here!
Partnering with Families to Address Domestic Violence
Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 11AM–12PM MT
A strengths-based approach to talking with families about domestic violence requires trust and mutual respect between Head Start program staff and families. There are many best practices programs can use to respond to suspected or disclosed domestic violence.
Join the Office of Head Start (OHS) for a discussion and question and answer (Q&A) session on related issues. Participants will hear from experts, engage in peer dialogue, and explore strategies for current and future Head Start programming.
Register here!
Considerations for Advocates Serving Non-Citizen Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
June 8, 2020 | 1:30-3PM MT
This webinar will discuss cultural, sociological, and economic barriers among non-citizen victims of partner/family violence to seeking help experienced by legal advocates among their clients who must share intimate information with them.
To register for this webinar, please email Molly Kafka at molly@engagingvoices.org.
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