Albuquerque, NM – The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) is proud to support the participation of Governor Chavarria (Santa Clara Pueblo), Governor Roybal (Pueblo of Pojoaque), and Lieutenant Governor Abeita (Pueblo of Isleta) in the 19th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, to be held on November 19th-21st, 2024. This consultation is an important platform for Tribal leaders to voice their concerns and provide recommendations on how to address the growing epidemic of violence against Native women and children.

The consultation, organized by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), allows Tribal leaders to engage directly with the federal government on vital issues impacting their communities. The consultation will cover key topics such as enhancing safety for American Indian and Alaskan Native women, strengthening the federal response to crimes including domestic violence, sexual assault, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, stalking, and sex trafficking, and improving access to crime databases and criminal justice systems.

“As the only female tribal Governor in New Mexico, it is my responsibility to ensure that the voices of Native women are heard and prioritized in all spaces where decisions about our communities are being made.” said Governor Roybal of Pueblo of Pojoaque. “The Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation is crucial because it allows us, as tribal leaders, to directly influence the federal response to the crisis of violence that affects our communities. Our tribes, especially our women, have long been overlooked in the policies that impact our safety and well-being. This consultation is a vital opportunity to bring the realities we face—ranging from domestic violence and sex trafficking to mental health crises—into the conversation and advocate for the resources needed to build real solutions. We are more than capable of creating sacred, healing spaces for our people, but we need the support and funding to make it happen. Through this gathering, I hope we can push for a future where Native women are safe, where our communities are whole again, and where our ancient ways of healing are integrated into the systems that serve us.”

“The importance of tribal leadership engaging in the annual OVW tribal consultation cannot be overstated,” said Governor Chavarria of Santa Clara Pueblo. “Native women, men, and children living in Pueblo and Indian Country face almost daily challenges to their physical safety and mental well-being. The threats start early, often in the womb, due to restricted access to maternal healthcare services, safe housing, and proper nutrition for fetal development. These issues follow us into adolescence and adulthood, where we face high rates of physical, emotional, and sexual violence, human trafficking, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and suicide. When compounded by jurisdictional barriers that prevent access to public safety and victim services on tribal lands—particularly when it comes to VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)—it becomes clear that additional resources and targeted political actions are urgently needed to protect our tribal citizens.”

CSVANW’s involvement in this consultation is driven by the need to ensure that the voices of Tribal leaders are heard, and their recommendations are incorporated into federal responses. As Tiffany Jiron, Executive Director of CSVANW, explains, “It is essential that the experiences and priorities of our Tribal leaders are front and center at this consultation. Tribal leaders are in the best position to express the unique challenges their communities face in combating violence against Native women. This consultation is a critical opportunity to influence future changes in federal responses and highlight the work that is already being done on the ground in their communities.”

CSVANW believes that the participation of Tribal leaders in shaping the direction of federal responses is vital to creating meaningful and effective solutions to violence in Indian Country. “Tribal leaders are already leading the charge to address violence in their communities,” says Jiron. “We must ensure that their efforts are supported and that their recommendations are heard at the highest levels of government. Their leadership is key to building safer communities for Native women and families.”

Governor Chavarria, Governor Roybal, and Lieutenant Governor Abeita are expected to share their perspectives on how federal programs can better meet the needs of their communities and ensure the safety and dignity of Native women. They will also highlight the successful initiatives already in place in their villages of Isleta Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Pojoaque Pueblo, demonstrating the important work being done at the local level to combat gender-based violence.

CSVANW encourages the continuation of open dialogue between Tribal leaders and the federal government, with the goal of strengthening partnerships and addressing the systemic issues contributing to violence in Native communities. This consultation marks a pivotal step towards ensuring the federal government holds its trust responsibilities to Native Americans and the 574 federally recognized Tribes across Turtle Island.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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CSVANW is an award winning organization at the forefront to a dynamic approach to the tribal domestic and sexual violence fields that is demonstrating the most effective, creative and innovative ways to address and prevent the cycle of violence within tribal communities.