PARTNERING WITH NATIVE AMERICAN SURVIVORS - Promising Futures

According to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, “Safety for Native women and their children relies on the ability of Indigenous nations to reclaim their pre-colonization belief systems and lifeways by which they governed themselves long before the United States was established as a nation. This includes the understanding that we are all relatives and have the right and responsibility to uphold the sacred status and integrity of women, which is at the core of Tribal sovereignty. Essential to sovereignty and the safety of women is the unique legal right of Indian nations to self-government, access to trust resources, and culturally-centered ways. These ways support the voices and leadership of survivors of violence and grassroots advocates who are at the root of organizing for social, cultural, and legal changes, including changes that women need in order to live lives free from violence and abuse such as safe housing, economic security, childcare, healthcare, legal services, and abuser accountability. Accountability is secured through Tribal justice systems and Tribal laws upholding the sacred status and integrity of women. Tribal justice systems include Indigenous and Western responses such as policing and prosecution. Unlike non-Indian communities – where county or city governments have authority to investigate and prosecute both misdemeanor and felony crimes against women – federal legislation, case law, and policies have left Tribes with far less legal authority and resources to protect their citizens. This reality effectively denies Native women access to justice and culturally appropriate services and subsequently prevents them from living free from violence.” For more information about NIWRC’s work visit: https://www.niwrc.org/

Many American Indians and Alaska Natives have found healthy ways of coping with the stress of forced acculturation, genocide, loss of land and culture, structural violence, the death of loved ones, and more (Avalos, 2021). They have coped by practicing Native spirituality, valuing connections with families and communities, and initiating a grassroots movement toward healthier lifestyles (C. Barcus, 2003, Chapter 5).

In order to partner with American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth healing from domestic violence, programs should not only consider the current family situation, but also the historical trauma or soul wound that have occurred. Domination and oppression of Native peoples increased both economic deprivation and dependency through retracting Tribal rights and sovereignty. Consequently, American Indian and Alaska Natives are believed to suffer from internalized oppression and the normalization of violence (Bubar & Thurman, 2004). Group Interventions that focus on building upon cultural strengths and that are rooted in Native values and the connections between mind, body, spirit and the environment tend to be more effective than other modalities (C. Barcus, 2003, Chapter 5).