Native America Calling: Domestic violence prevention limps along without federal support

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Native America Calling

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Native America Calling: Domestic violence prevention limps along without federal support

Thursday, October 23, 2025

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Domestic violence prevention limps along without federal support

Among the thousands of staff cuts and billions of dollars eliminated from federal programs is support to prevent and respond to domestic violence.

Organizations that facilitate women’s shelters, preventative outreach, case managers, and legal help are mostly going it alone without the once-powerful assistance of the federal government. Many are in survival mode after the sudden and unexpected elimination of funding that had been promised.

The U.S. Department of Justice has also removed its access to research and recommendations about violence against Indigenous women. Tune in to find out how some shelters are working despite the setbacks.

We’ll also remember long-time women’s advocate Charon Asetoyer. Among other things, she founded the Native American Community Board that works to strengthen women’s health, safety, and justice. Asetoyer walked on September 26.

A red dress symbolizes missing and murdered Indigenous women. Photo by Kevin Abourezk

Guests on Native America Calling

Desiree Tody (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Ashland and Bayfield County outreach program coordinator for the Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse in Wisconsin

Caroline LaPorte (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians descendant), staff attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center and associate tribal court judge for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan

Michelle Sanchez-Higginbotham (Yaqui and Niitsitapi), project specialist for the Rising Together program at the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health

Ronni Fischer (Yankton Sioux), director of the Women’s Lodge, a violence prevention program of the Native American Community Board in South Dakota