Greetings Relatives,

The constant shifting in our daily routines is a strong reminder that our ability to adapt is rooted in a beautiful and resilient history. As our team learns what our role is in responding to this epidemic we are envisioning how we influence and advocate for a larger societal shift. A shift that holds systems accountable, a shift that continues to focus on the needs of those most impacted, and most importantly a shift that centers survivors in the movement to end violence against Native women.

The general public is learning quickly what we have always known as a coalition- the services our first responders and advocates provide is essential. We are seeing creative solutions that are keeping advocates safely in domestic violence shelters so they may continue supporting survivors and their families. We are hearing how tribal and community leaders are strategizing and developing protocols to keep their citizens protected. Our tribal communities are creating safety in unprecedented ways. Ways that are reemphasizing one of our core values as an organization: the solutions to violence lie within the communities themselves.

And we must be clear, the inequities our communities face is violence; this is now more apparent than ever. This pandemic has thrown into focus the systematic gaps our communities and survivors live with daily. Gaps in access to healthcare, food, water, technology and safety. The Coalition remains dedicated to advocating against the systems of oppression that feed these disparities.

CSVANW is developing our response alongside our member organizations centering their experiences around the deep intersections of COVID-19 with violence, race, gender, power, class and privilege. As we continue to have conversations with our members we invite you to stay engaged with us on our website and social media.

This is a time to imagine a new future and move toward shaping it so that it meets the needs of our tribal communities, survivors and those most impacted. So, I leave you with this question: how will we further come together? Because the lasting impacts of COVID-19 belong to us.

Together we do more.

In Solidarity,

Angel Charley
CSVANW