As we close this last month of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center (STTARS) would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the last year. We are grateful for the contributions of survivors, workgroup members, external partners, NIWRC staff, and partners in the new Office of Family Violence and Prevention Services (OFVPS).
August
Addressing Disparities: Homelessness Among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders [Maui Recovery]
Settler colonialism's impact on Native Hawaiians significantly from that on Indigenous people in the contiguous United States, particularly regarding homelessness. These Indigenous groups, including Kānaka Maoli of Hawaii and Taotao Håya (Chamorro), faced erasure and lack of recognition as sovereign entities, with no current treaties with the United States. Despite over a century of erasure, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are often overlooked in discussions on racial equity and disparities, even though they have the highest homelessness rates, with 121 out of every 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2022.
Recent disasters, such as Typhoon Mawar and wildfires in Maui and Hawaii Island, have exacerbated the situation, resulting in a 19% increase in homelessness among these groups between 2020-2022. To address these disparities, communities must prioritize Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in racial equity discussions and work towards reducing homelessness disparities. To provide immediate, flexible resources, collaboration between state and local governments and Indigenous organizations is essential. Swift and equitable action is needed to prevent further disparities among Indigenous people experiencing homelessness.
STTARS encourages organizations from Hawaii to apply for our ARP sub-awards, which can be used to provide housing/shelter assistance for gender-based violence survivors. For more information, please reach out to housing@niwrc.org and cgresham@niwrc.org. To apply for the funding, please visit here. and Read more here.
STTARS Director Advocates for Indigenous Women's Safety at Trilateral Working Group Meeting
The Trilateral Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls (Trilateral WG) met in Ottawa, Canada. The Trilateral WG is a collaborative initiative among the United States, Mexico, and Canada governments. It emerged as a direct outcome of the North American Leaders' Summit held in 2016. Its primary objective is to reaffirm and advance these three nations' collective national and regional commitments in addressing gender-based violence affecting Indigenous women and girls, the 2S+/LGBTQ+ communities.
STTARS Director, Caroline LaPorte is a member of this year's trilateral workgroup and attended the meeting in Ottawa, Canada. As an attorney and an advocate, Caroline provided testimony about access to justice. As part of this testimony, Caroline shared the critical importance of housing and shelter access as a preventative strategy for addressing violence that is disparately experienced by American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Pictured above, several members of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls (Trilateral WG) met in Ottawa, Canada: Top Row (Left to Right): Miranda Baxter - White House Gender Policy Council, Caroline LaPorte - STTARS Indigenous Safe Housing Center (STTARS), and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Rosie Hidalgo - Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), Dawn Stover - Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence (ATCEV), and Diane Gout - Gray O.A.K., LLC
STTARS at OVW Consultation in Tulsa
Organized the 18th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women (OVW) Tribal Consultation, which serves as a platform for leaders of federally recognized Indian Tribal governments to provide recommendations on crucial topics. Tribal government leaders gathered and shared insights on administering Tribal funds and programs, enhancing the safety of Indian women, strengthening the federal response to crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault, and improving access to crime information databases and criminal justice systems. The STTARS Director, Caroline LaPorte, STTARS Housing Specialist Gwen Packard, and Senior Policy Specialist Paula Julian attended this year's OVW Tribal Consultation in Tulsa, OK. A Tribal caucus meeting was organized by the National Congress of the American Indian Task Force on Violence Against Women and the NIWRC. The forum invited Tribal leaders, designees, representatives, and coalitions to discuss priorities for the consultation. Please note that this was a closed event exclusively for leaders and designated representatives. Caroline LaPorte provided an overview of the STTARS consultation priorities related to housing insecurity and shelter access issues for survivors both on and off-reservation communities. The annual talk helps shape policies and programs addressing violence against women within Tribal communities. This opportunity ensures leaders that their voices are heard, and their perspectives are considered in the decision-making process.
Pictured: Housing Specialist, Gwen Packard
Pictured: Senior Policy Specialist, Paula S. Julian
STTARS Welcomes New Team Member
Pictured: Brianna Cervantes, STTARS Program Assistant
STTARS Would Like To Welcome Brianna Cervantes As The New Program Assistant!
Brianna Cervantes (She/They) is Chumash and is thrilled to join NIWRC as a Program Assistant. They earned their Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Behavioral Science with a minor in American Indian Studies at California State University, Fresno. They hope to use this to help Indigenous survivors, whether it be through survivor advocacy or mental health services. After graduation, Brianna got a job at a non-profit that provides programs and services to incarcerated people, with a focus on restorative practices.
During their time there, they learned a lot from the participants and volunteers about how trauma affects how people move through life. This experience further deepened her understanding of what it means to be in community with others and how restorative practices emphasize survivors’ needs. As a survivor, she looks forward to being a supportive entity at NIWRC for the individuals and communities we serve. Brianna also wants to acknowledge her family and communities, specifically in her homelands and Fresno (Yokut and Mono homelands), for always giving her the love and support she needs. Kaqʰinalin.
We are happy to have you!
Join Us on social media!
Domestic Violence Month 2023 is rapidly approaching. STTARS has updated its DVAM Toolkit, highlighting new resources and webinars, and will join NIWRC in our annual statement. Do you have something innovative your program does for DVAM to raise awareness and educate your community about this important month? If so, please share with us @safehousing4all across all social media platforms using #SafeHousing4All, #ProtectThem, & #HousingForSurvivors.
STTARS DVAM Twitter Storm!
Join us October 26 at 11:00AM MDT
Join us on Twitter in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. STTARS will have a Twitter storm to raise awareness and recognize how DVAM affects and transcends our unhoused relatives. Join us on Twitter, on October 26th - 11:00 am MDT and use the hashtags to participate in the conversation: #SafeHousing4All, #ProtectThem, & #HousingForSurvivors.
Upcoming STTARS Events
Save the Date
🗓️ October 2 - 5: ARP Peer to Peer National ARP Convening in Washington, DC
🗓️ October 4 - 6: NAIHC Legislative Forum in Vegas, NE
🗓️ October 13 - 14: Housing Roundtable with partners NRCDV and NNEDV and under the leadership of OFVPS and OMB in Washington, DC
🗓️October 22 - 26: Project Opal in Washington, DC
STTARS uplifts NIWRC Executive Director, Lucy Simpson, for her nearly two decades of dedicated service in Indian Country, showcasing extensive expertise in financial and administrative management, comprehensive supervision, and pivotal leadership in critical initiatives like the 'Safe Women, Strong Nations' project, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to combat violence against Native women and advance the rights of Indigenous communities.
Photo of NIWRC Executive Director, Lucy Simpson
Lucy Simpson is a seasoned Legal and Public Policy professional with nearly two decades of dedicated service in Indian country. Her extensive background encompasses over 15 years of adept Financial and Administrative Management and comprehensive supervisory expertise. Before her invaluable contributions to the NIWRC team, Ms. Simpson held pivotal roles, notably as the Public Policy Coordinator for Sacred Circle and the Senior Staff Attorney for the Indian Law Resource Center. Here, she spearheaded critical initiatives, including the Center's groundbreaking 'Safe Women, Strong Nations' project to combat violence against Native women. With a profound understanding of Indian nations, Ms. Simpson has been instrumental in advancing tribal sovereignty, facilitating tribal code development, and safeguarding the rights of Native women and their families. Her unwavering commitment continues to shape a brighter future for indigenous communities nationwide.
"In the face of climate change, housing crises, and gender-based violence, we must stand united to protect our planet and our people. Together, we can forge a path towards a future where safety, shelter, and sustainability intersect for the betterment of Indigenous communities everywhere." - Lucy Simpson
Announcements
STTARS is still funding subawards with our ARP dollars. To apply for this funding opportunity, please head over to NIWRC website.
This document updates a prior Recovery Housing Guideline and now outlines best practices for the implementation and operation of recovery housing that is intended to serve as a tool for states, governing bodies, providers, recovery house operators, and other interested stakeholders to improve the quality of housing programs, protect residents’ rights, reduce the incidence of overdose, and promote long-term recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders.
We have pass-through ARP funds for Tribal domestic violence programs and shelters and Tribal not-for-profit organizations. Eligible programs can receive up to $15,000 per award and reapply for additional funds. Our main priority for this funding is to support Tribal programs and community organizations serving Indigenous survivors of gender-based violence at the intersection of housing instability and homelessness.
Request Housing Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) from STTARS, the Indigenous Safe Housing Center. STTARS provides culturally rooted training and technical assistance, policy development, and Indigenous centered resource materials to support tribes, tribal housing authorities and tribal domestic violence programs and shelters to address the intersection of Gender-Based 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!
Did you know? STTARS stands for Safety, Technical Assistance and Training, Resources, and Support. Our vision is Safe Housing For All Our Relatives.
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 515 Lame Deer Ave, Lame Deer, MT. 59043 406.477.3896
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