Did you know? STTARS stands for Safety, Training, Technical Assistance, Resources, and Support. Our vision is Safe Housing For All Our Relatives.
(Left to right) Brianna Cervantes, Clarice Charlie Hubbard, Michelle Bob, Gwendolyn Packard, and Samantha Helme
STTARS Visits Nevada
The STTARS team had a blast at our site visit in Nevada! We loved meeting with the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Washoe Tribe, Walker River Paiute Tribe, and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
STTARS’s site visits provide opportunities to discuss barriers and collaborate on community-based solutions. STTARS relies on the expertise of the programs providing services and housing to survivors of domestic violence experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
STTARS provides training and technical assistance, policy development, and resource materials to support Tribal Nations, Tribal housing authorities, and Tribal domestic violence programs and shelters to address the intersection of violence, housing insecurity, and homelessness to create safe housing options for survivors.
We look forward to making great connections with more communities in the future.
In March, STTARS presented on the needs of survivors in accessing shelter and safe housing as part of NIWRC’s ongoing Coffee and Conversations events.
During this gathering, STTARS presented on housing statistics for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and discussed key findings from listening sessions with survivors. Following the presentation, STTARS and event attendees engaged in a meaningful peer discussion.
Group photo of members of the National Workgroup in red shawls for National Week of Action
National Workgroup Meeting
During the National Workgroup on Safe Housing for Indigenous Survivors meeting, held April 23–24, in San Diego, STTARS welcomed the Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition to lead a powerful presentation and activity centered on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR). During this presentation, we added to their remembrance quilt. This process of making intentional art connected us with each other and to those we have lost. The gathering concluded with a group photo of all attendees wearing red shawls—a powerful visual statement of unity and a commitment to ending this violence.
Photo from Using State Housing Dollars to Fund Supportive Housing presented by BeauxSimone Consulting
STTARS Team Attends NAIHC Annual Convention
From May 26–29, Clarice Charlie-Hubbard (Clarice Charlie-Hubbard, Western Shoshone, Te-Moak Tribes), STTARS Safe Housing and Shelter Specialist, attended the National American Indian Housing Council 51st Annual Convention & Tradeshow in Los Angeles, California. The annual convening brought together hundreds of Tribal housing professionals and community development leaders from across Indian Country to explore strategies for strengthening housing programs and supporting community-driven solutions. The event offered breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and collaborative discussions focused on Native housing and program administration.
Clarice represented STTARS and participated in sessions, including “The Spectrum of Indian Housing Programs and Services” and “Learning How We Can Develop Partnerships to Leverage Limited Resources in Indian Country.”
She learned about housing barriers, Tribal housing needs, and funding opportunities and connected with Tribal Nations that have successfully obtained housing funds for development projects. This opportunity allowed her to share the importance of trauma-informed and healing-informed approaches to housing for Native survivors and ensure that survivor-centered advocacy remained part of the national conversation on Tribal housing.
Promoting Safety for Our Elders Through Culturally Responsive Strategies
June 4, 2025 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. MT
This session explores the critical issue of elder abuse in Tribal communities and responsive strategies for recognition and intervention. Participants will learn about the unique challenges and strengths within Tribal Nations when addressing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. You will leave with practical tools and resources to support or strengthen elder protection efforts in their Tribal communities.
STTARS National Tribal Housing Justice Summit June 26 - 27, 2025, at the Berna Facio Professional Development Center Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This June, join Tribal domestic violence advocates, community leaders, and housing experts for a two-day summit focused on strengthening housing access, increasing safe housing options, and justice for survivors. Together, we’ll explore best practices, policy solutions, and traditional approaches to ensure safe and stable housing for all our relatives.
Please note: On-site registration will not be available
Registration is Now Open for the 2025 Women Are Sacred Conference July 29–31, 2025, at the Baird Convention Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
One of the nation’s most inspiring and impactful gatherings, the Women Are Sacred Conference (WAS) is a cornerstone in the movement to end violence against Native women and children. This powerful event brings together advocates, survivors, Tribal domestic and sexual violence programs, Tribal leadership, law enforcement, and Tribal court personnel—all united in the shared mission of creating safer, stronger Tribal communities. Experience state-of-the-art training and networking opportunities designed to increase the capacity of Tribal Nations, Tribal domestic violence, and community-based programs.
This year’s theme, “Committed to Our Relatives: Tradition in Our Hearts, Future in Our Hands,” reflects the heart of NIWRC’s mission: honoring the sacred role of Native women as changemakers and protectors in leading efforts to build safer, stronger Tribal communities.
Uniting Communities, Strengthening Networks and Raising Awareness on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Access to Safe Housing for Native Survivors
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and a necessary time to raise awareness about sexual assault and the related issues of access to safe housing and shelter for survivors in Tribal Nations, Alaska Native Villages, and Native Hawaiian communities. This webinar will feature the important work of the Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC), highlighting its efforts to enhance the safety of women and children. We will discuss how building networks and strategizing with other organizations can lead to comprehensive, successful efforts in understanding and addressing the complex challenges survivors face, including housing insecurity, homelessness, and access to safe shelter.
Keely (Íipay and Kupa Native from the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians) is the executive director of Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, advocating for victims and their families by promoting safety and a traditional non-violent lifestyle.
With 20 years of experience, Keely also provides community education on domestic violence and sexual assault, including specialized training for service providers and other professionals. Additionally, she offers a cultural competency course to assist those working with Native communities. Her training is conducted throughout Southern California and other regions of need.
STTARS met Keely at the National Workgroup meeting in San Diego. She and her staff, Summer Elliott and Tim Ruise, provided information on what they are doing to create safe spaces for Indigenous survivors in Southern California, including the opening and operation of four Tribal domestic violence shelters. They also presented on MMIWR and engaged in a quilt blocking activity. We are honored to know Keely and proud of the work she is doing!
We are actively seeking individuals with a housing, domestic violence, cultural, and human rights lens to be part of our training and technical assistance initiative. Please fill out this form to submit your name or someone you would recommend.
Request Housing Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) from STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center
STTARS provides culturally rooted training and technical assistance, policy development, and Indigenous-centered resource materials to support Tribal Nations, Tribal housing authorities, and Tribal domestic violence programs and shelters to address the intersection of violence and housing insecurity and homelessness and create safe housing options for survivors.
To request T/TA, please fill out the form located on our website at niwrc.org/housing/contact with as much detail as possible, and we will be in touch!
STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center is funded by grant #90EV0537 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family, and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents of this newsletter are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Our mailing address is: NIWRC, Attn: STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center P.O. Box 99, Lame Deer, MT
Our company address and phone number is:
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center 12 Bowstring Street, Lame Deer, MT. 59043 406.477.3896
