Domestic Violence Awareness Month:How We Show Up for Indigenous Womxn Matters

More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native womxn have experienced violence. Alaska Native womxn have reported rates of domestic violence up to 10 times higher than the rest of women in the United States. Native children exposed to violence suffer rates of PTSD three times higher than the rest of the general population. When we discuss erasing the disadvantages that women, girls, transgender, and gender-non conforming people face in our society, we must be sure Indigenous people are included in this discussion. 

This month, as we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’re taking the time to honor the courage and resilience of Indigenous people and sharing some steps being taken to create safer communities and champion for gender justice.

1. Women’s Foundation grantee, Native Americans in Philanthropy, engages, educates, and empowers Indigenous people to create healthy and sustainable communities for all. They are improving the lives and legacy of Indigenous people by investing in education, training, and research that works to restore all Native communities to full health and sustainability.  
2. Two federal bills, Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act, were introduced in Congress to combat the silent epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and girls. The two bills would increase coordination between federal and tribal agencies, improve tribal access to law enforcement databases, and create an advisory committee to make recommendations to federal departments for how to address the crisis of murdered and missing women.
3. This year, Wisconsin lawmakers came together to announce legislation that would create a task force to address missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in the state. The task force would examine the factors that contribute to higher rates of violence among Native American women and girls and what can be done to combat the problem. 

Let us never forget that our homes, workspaces, and communities are functioning on sacred land. Indigenous women and girls can not be an afterthought as we work to achieve a safer and more gender-just culture. If you’re looking for more ways to be an ally for Indigenous people, here are 100 ways you can be a part of the solution.