Our stories do not begin with violence. They begin with her.

Across Pueblo and Tribal communities, matriarchs have always been teachers, protectors, caregivers, and leaders. Their wisdom has guided generations, shaping how we care for one another and build communities rooted in safety, dignity, and respect.

This Women’s History Month, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) honors these teachings through our campaign Rooted in Her: Stories that Carry Us Forward. As part of this campaign, we are launching a community storytelling project called Letters to Our Future Generations.

Share Your Letter

We invite you to contribute your voice to this project.

Respond to the prompt: “Dear future relatives, here’s what our matriarchs taught us about safety…”

Submissions may include:

Letters
Poems
Reflections
Cultural teachings
Messages to youth or future generations

Selected submissions may be featured in:

CSVANW storytelling graphics
Our April newsletter
A downloadable Letters to Our Future Generations zine releasing in April 2026

Together, we write forward. Your voice helps carry these teachings into the future.

Letters to Our Future Generations

Thank you for contributing to Letters to Our Future Generations, part of CSVANW’s Rooted in Her campaign. This project honors the matriarchs, aunties, caregivers, and cultural knowledge keepers who teach us about safety, protection, and collective care. You are invited to respond to the prompt: “Dear future relatives, here’s what our matriarchs taught us about safety…” Your words will be featured in a downloadable zine-style PDF. You may submit anonymously if you prefer. Please only share what feels safe and appropriate for you.Because this project centers safety and lived experience: If writing brings up difficult feelings, support is available.You can contact: - Rape Abuse Incest National Network: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) | www.rainn.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) | www.ndvh.org - Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 | www.strongheartshelpline.org 988 Lifeline: 988 | https://988lifeline.org/

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Your Letter

Prompt:“Dear future relatives, here’s what our matriarchs taught us about safety…”

Your Submission(Required)

Recommended length: 100–500 words. Poems and short reflections are welcome.

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Recommended length: 100 words.

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Consent & Permissions

Because this project centers safety and lived experience: If writing brings up difficult feelings, support is available.

You can contact:Rape Abuse Incest National Network: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE) | www.rainn.orgNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) | www.ndvh.orgStrong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 | www.strongheartshelpline.org 988 Lifeline: 988 | https://988lifeline.org/