Sunny Clifford, Oglala, speaks at a Native Women’s Health and Wellbeing conference in Rapid City. Clifford was featured in the film “Young Lakota” which was screened during the conference.
National programs present Health and Wellbeing Conference in the Black Hills
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY-At a recent conference held in the foot hills of the sacred Black Hills, the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence partnered with the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. to hold a Region 3 Training. The theme “Weaving the Interconnections of Native Women’s Health, Wellbeing, Sovereignty and Safety” was chosen to bring forth the importance of the need for support to strengthen the safety of Native women. One of the strongest advocates working on the Domestic Violence in Indian country is Lisa Brunner, a program specialist with NIWRC. “I am Lisa Brunner and I am a new Program Specialist for the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center and am honored to work with an amazing team who are dedicated to the safety of Native women.” Said Brunner, in welcome. “I am Anishinaabe and am an enrolled member of my tribe, which is located in Northwestern Minnesota. As a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, I know the realities our women and children face, the horror and pain of those assaults and that is one not consistent with our traditional teachings that women are sacred.” “I have worked for over 16 years in this area and I have taken on this position with NIWRC to work with other Tribal Nations and Urban Indian’s nationally as this issue of violence against Native women must be addressed collectively if we are to restore the safety of our women, children and our future generations to come.” The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) is a Native nonprofit organization that was created specifically to serve as the National Indian Resource Center (NIRC) Addressing Domestic Violence and Safety for Indian Women under this grant project and in compliance with statutory requirements, the NIWRC will seek to enhance the capacity of American Indian and Alaska Native (Native) tribes, Native Hawaiians, and Tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations to respond to domestic violence. The NIWRC, through its Board of Directors and staff, have the demonstrated and unique expertise to serve as the next National Indian Resource Center. Our Board consists of Native women from throughout the United States with extensive experience and commitment to providing technical assistance/training and resource information regarding violence committed against Native women and their children. NIWRC’s staff brings decades of expertise, regarding violence against Native women, each having worked in various capacities to build a strong grassroots movement to increase the response within tribes to domestic violence and safety for Indian women. The NIWRC is dedicated to reclaiming the sovereignty of Native nations and safeguarding Native women and their children. Through public awareness and resource development, training and technical assistance, policy development, and research activities, NIWRC provide leadership across the Nation to show that offenders can and will be held accountable and that Native women and their children are entitled to: 1) safety from violence within their homes and in their community; 2) justice both on and off tribal lands; and 3) access to services designed by and for Native women based on their tribal beliefs and practices. “It is our women who give birth to our Nations, and the time has come to restore their sacred place among our people and to call upon our Leaders, Warriors, our men and our sons to protect and defend us from those who continue to do us harm, both non-Native and Native alike, “ stated Brunner, “It is my belief that this is not a woman’s issue, this is an issue that impacts our families, communities and our society as a whole and we need all of our people, from the Elders to our young to come together to stop the violence against our women.” Sunny Clifford, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, was on hand for the presentation of the film that she collaborated with to tell the story of being a young Lakota from one of the poorest reservations in the county, with a dream of creating a better future for their tribe. Clifford collaborated with her twin sister, Serena and their neighbor, Brandon Ferguson, all of Kyle. Other topics covered include Sex trafficking in the oil boom regions of N.D. and Montana; Environmental justice, ICWA and Advocating for Native American children; and the Native Youth voice and their projects across Indian country. More information about NIWRC and their upcoming events, which include an Interdepartmental Tribal Justice, Safety and Wellness Session, Oct. 29 and 30, 2013, Bismarck, N.D., visit their website at www.niwrc.org. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
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