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| Copyright © 2011 Red Lake Net News All Rights Reserved. |
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Equay Wiigamig Sponsors Workshop on
Domestic Violence
Event Geared to Public Safety and Advocates
Domestic Violence
Event Geared to Public Safety and Advocates
By Michael Meuers
“Domestic Violence 101” was the title for a workshop sponsored by Equay
Wiigamig (Women’s Shelter) of Red Lake, and was funded by the Minnesota
Office of Justice Programs. The event, geared to advocates and law enforcement
personnel, was held on Thursday April 7, 2011 in the Migizi (Eagle) Room at
Seven Clans Event Center.
The day began with with registration and continental breakfast. After a welcome
and invocation by Frances Miller, tribal in-house attorney Michelle Paquin Johnson
gave a report entitled “New Laws Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Enforcement Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010”.
Paquin Johnson explained how the Act will affect laws and enforcement at Red
Lake and Indian Country. The law will now allow up to three years imprisonment
for sex crimes, up from only a year. She distributed several papers regarding
tribal laws addressing said sex crimes and domestic violence. “As we look to the
revival of our culture and language”, said Paquin Johnson, “we must remember
that domestic abuse is not a tradition, and harms the whole family”.
Special guess speaker (who conducted three sessions) was Ron Teel (Delaware),
who is a Captain with the County Sheriff’s Office at Osage/Quapaw, Oklahoma.
Teel’s morning session was on “Defeating Myths and Stereotypes”.
“Perpetrators tend to minimize their actions”, said Teel, “they want to blame the
booze, or another person, anyone but themselves,” he said. As an example Teel
said, “if the chef burns your steak you don’t kick the heck out of him, but somehow
perpetrators figure they can kick slap their wives if a meal isn’t on time.” Women
need to know that isn’t normal, and so do their men. There is a way out for both,
and help is available at Equay Wiigamig.
Before the lunch break, Stephanie Cobenais and Geoff Pierre explained the Law
enforcement DV initiative.
After lunch, everyone was treated to a film written, directed, and produced by youth
from Project Preserve. The film entitled “My Three Friends”, won awards at
Sundance and New York Film festivals. The film, with actors and actresses from
Project Preserve, took on the serious matter of date rape among other trials of
youth.
Teel’s afternoon session was called “Understanding the Y’s”. Teel said it was
important to understand the reasons why a victim might not file charges against
their abuser, and there are many. A victim might feel that harm could come to their
job or reputation. And there are many fears, fear of of stalking, the perpetrator
might threaten to commit suicide. There can be fear of retribution, or financial
problems if they were to leave the abuser. Equay Wiigamig has some wonderful
information about such things, and victims should feel free to approach this service
in complete confidentiality.
After a break, the last two sessions were held. The first was an “Introduction to
Batterer’s Re-Education presented by Shari Mountain Smith and Todd Smith.
This important program is relatively new, and seems to be working, and could
save families if perpetrators want to correct their lives. “Abusers must be
reeducated to realize that abuse just is not an acceptable way to deal with anger”,
said Smith.
Teel closed out the day with “Standing up for All; The Who, What, When, Where,
How, and Why.”
Darlene Lussier, Director of Equay Wiigamig said in an interview, that the shelter
is for all women, not just Red Lake members. “We provide a variety of services,
sexual assault victim advocacy, crisis intervention, individual, legal, and court
advocacy”, said Lussier. “We also provide information and referrals, orders for
protection, restraining orders, talking circles, and community education”, she said.
“We will offer safety planning - in a safe environment, and our staff will provide
acceptance and empathy with respect”
One of many brochures on Equay Wiigamig pointed out support groups for
women, for teen girls, a shelter for women/children, confidentiality, community
advocacy, bi-lingual advocacy, and domestic abuse awareness.
Domestic violence warning signs, and signs that you are in an abusive relationship
were two of the many papers and brochures that were available for conference
attendees. This writer was quite impressed with Lussier and her staff, and the
services provided. But perhaps the greatest awakening was to how striking and
serious a problem this is, and how we all must realize it, be informed about it, and
help to heal.
Some stark statistics regarding sexual assault in Indian Country were provided.
Statistics of Sexual Assault in Indian Country
Over 70% of sexual assaults are not reported.
The rate of violent crimes in Indian country is 2.5 times higher
A National Violence Against Women survey indicated a 15.9% victimization rate
of American Indians/Alaskan Natives by an intimate partner.
90% of American Indian Women in chemical dependency treatment programs
have experienced some type of sexual abuse/assault.
One in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime
One in four girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18
One in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18
85% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows
Lussier said that “if you have any inkling that you or anyone you love may be in an
abusive relationship of any kind, don’t wonder, find out by visit Equay Wiigamig
and learn about the signs of sexual and other types of abuse, for women, for men
for children, for victims and perpetrators. This won’t hurt”, she said. “Learn these
things, help yourself and your loved ones”.
“Domestic Violence 101” was the title for a workshop sponsored by Equay
Wiigamig (Women’s Shelter) of Red Lake, and was funded by the Minnesota
Office of Justice Programs. The event, geared to advocates and law enforcement
personnel, was held on Thursday April 7, 2011 in the Migizi (Eagle) Room at
Seven Clans Event Center.
The day began with with registration and continental breakfast. After a welcome
and invocation by Frances Miller, tribal in-house attorney Michelle Paquin Johnson
gave a report entitled “New Laws Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Enforcement Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010”.
Paquin Johnson explained how the Act will affect laws and enforcement at Red
Lake and Indian Country. The law will now allow up to three years imprisonment
for sex crimes, up from only a year. She distributed several papers regarding
tribal laws addressing said sex crimes and domestic violence. “As we look to the
revival of our culture and language”, said Paquin Johnson, “we must remember
that domestic abuse is not a tradition, and harms the whole family”.
Special guess speaker (who conducted three sessions) was Ron Teel (Delaware),
who is a Captain with the County Sheriff’s Office at Osage/Quapaw, Oklahoma.
Teel’s morning session was on “Defeating Myths and Stereotypes”.
“Perpetrators tend to minimize their actions”, said Teel, “they want to blame the
booze, or another person, anyone but themselves,” he said. As an example Teel
said, “if the chef burns your steak you don’t kick the heck out of him, but somehow
perpetrators figure they can kick slap their wives if a meal isn’t on time.” Women
need to know that isn’t normal, and so do their men. There is a way out for both,
and help is available at Equay Wiigamig.
Before the lunch break, Stephanie Cobenais and Geoff Pierre explained the Law
enforcement DV initiative.
After lunch, everyone was treated to a film written, directed, and produced by youth
from Project Preserve. The film entitled “My Three Friends”, won awards at
Sundance and New York Film festivals. The film, with actors and actresses from
Project Preserve, took on the serious matter of date rape among other trials of
youth.
Teel’s afternoon session was called “Understanding the Y’s”. Teel said it was
important to understand the reasons why a victim might not file charges against
their abuser, and there are many. A victim might feel that harm could come to their
job or reputation. And there are many fears, fear of of stalking, the perpetrator
might threaten to commit suicide. There can be fear of retribution, or financial
problems if they were to leave the abuser. Equay Wiigamig has some wonderful
information about such things, and victims should feel free to approach this service
in complete confidentiality.
After a break, the last two sessions were held. The first was an “Introduction to
Batterer’s Re-Education presented by Shari Mountain Smith and Todd Smith.
This important program is relatively new, and seems to be working, and could
save families if perpetrators want to correct their lives. “Abusers must be
reeducated to realize that abuse just is not an acceptable way to deal with anger”,
said Smith.
Teel closed out the day with “Standing up for All; The Who, What, When, Where,
How, and Why.”
Darlene Lussier, Director of Equay Wiigamig said in an interview, that the shelter
is for all women, not just Red Lake members. “We provide a variety of services,
sexual assault victim advocacy, crisis intervention, individual, legal, and court
advocacy”, said Lussier. “We also provide information and referrals, orders for
protection, restraining orders, talking circles, and community education”, she said.
“We will offer safety planning - in a safe environment, and our staff will provide
acceptance and empathy with respect”
One of many brochures on Equay Wiigamig pointed out support groups for
women, for teen girls, a shelter for women/children, confidentiality, community
advocacy, bi-lingual advocacy, and domestic abuse awareness.
Domestic violence warning signs, and signs that you are in an abusive relationship
were two of the many papers and brochures that were available for conference
attendees. This writer was quite impressed with Lussier and her staff, and the
services provided. But perhaps the greatest awakening was to how striking and
serious a problem this is, and how we all must realize it, be informed about it, and
help to heal.
Some stark statistics regarding sexual assault in Indian Country were provided.
Statistics of Sexual Assault in Indian Country
Over 70% of sexual assaults are not reported.
The rate of violent crimes in Indian country is 2.5 times higher
A National Violence Against Women survey indicated a 15.9% victimization rate
of American Indians/Alaskan Natives by an intimate partner.
90% of American Indian Women in chemical dependency treatment programs
have experienced some type of sexual abuse/assault.
One in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime
One in four girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18
One in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18
85% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows
Lussier said that “if you have any inkling that you or anyone you love may be in an
abusive relationship of any kind, don’t wonder, find out by visit Equay Wiigamig
and learn about the signs of sexual and other types of abuse, for women, for men
for children, for victims and perpetrators. This won’t hurt”, she said. “Learn these
things, help yourself and your loved ones”.
| Click on Poster for larger view |
Ron Teel presents some great insight into domestic
and sexual abuse
and sexual abuse
Rose Barrett and Shari Mountain Smith
of Equay Wiigamig set up the computer
for a work session
of Equay Wiigamig set up the computer
for a work session
Ron Teel, special guest speaker
Law enforcement personnel made up a
good share of the workshop attendees
good share of the workshop attendees
Equay Wiigamig Director, Darlene
Lussier was interviewed by Lakeland
News
Lussier was interviewed by Lakeland
News
Many people wonder why a victim
stays in an abusive relationship, here
are just some of the “Y’s”.
stays in an abusive relationship, here
are just some of the “Y’s”.
Staff from Equay Wiigamig listen to Ron
Teel’s presentation
Teel’s presentation
Dana Lyons, Sgt. With Red Lake Public
safety interviews with Lakeland Public
TV
safety interviews with Lakeland Public
TV
Darlene Lussier listens closely and
appears a bit nervous as Dana Lyons
interviews
appears a bit nervous as Dana Lyons
interviews
Ron Teel wraps up the day of a great
and important workshop
and important workshop
Ron Teel interviews with Lakeland
News
News