Sharing Our Stories of Survival

Native Women Surviving Violence

Contributions by J Agtuca, Judi Armbruster, Diane E. Benson, Mary Black Bonnet, Sally Brunk, Lea Carr, Rose L. Clark, Amanda D. Faircloth, Lisa Frank, Joy Harjo, Brenda Hill, Eileen Hudon, Carrie L. Johnson, B.J Jones, Karlene, Kochuten, Charlene A. LaPointe, Jayci Malone, Sarah Michèle Martin, Tracy Meyer, Frances Monroe, MariJo Moore, Eleanor Ned-Sunnyboy, Nila NorthSun, Stormy Ogden, Juanita Pahdopony, Kim Querdibitty, Sharon Lynn Reyna, Venus St. Martin, Kim Shuck, Petra L. Solimon-Yeager, Kelly Gaines Stoner, George Twiss, Danielle G. Van Ess, Hallie Bongar White, James G. White, Coya Hope White Hat-Artichoker, Victoria Ybanez Edited by Sarah Deer, Bonnie Clairmont, Carrie A. Martell, Maureen L. White Eagle

Publication date:

15 October 2007

Length of book:

382 pages

Publisher

AltaMira Press

Dimensions:

239x170mm
7x9"

ISBN-13: 9780759111240

A general introduction to the social and legal issues involved in acts of violence against Native women, this book's contributors are lawyers, social workers, social scientists, writers, poets, and victims. In the U.S. Native women are more likely than women from any other group to suffer violence, from rape and battery to more subtle forms of abuse, and Sharing Our Stories of Survival explores the causes and consequences of such behavior. The stories and case-studies presented here are often painful and raw, and the statistics are overwhelmingly grim; but a countervailing theme also runs through this extremely informative volume: Many of the women who appear in these pages are survivors, often strengthened by their travails, and the violence examined here is human violence, meaning that it can be changed, if only with much effort and education. The first step is to lay out the truth for all to see, and that is the purpose accomplished by this book.

Chapter 1 Beloved Women: Life Givers, Caretakers, Teachers of Future Generations
2 Sexual Violence: An Introduction to the Social and Legal Issues for Native Women
3 Domestic Violence: An Introduction to the Social and Legal Issues for Native Women
4 Special Issues Facing Alaska Native Women Survivors of Violence
5 Overview of Issues Facing Native Women Who Are Survivors of Violence in Urban Communities
6 "From a Woman Who Experienced Violence"
7 Walking in the Darkness, Then Finding the Light
8 Violence Across the Lifecycle
9 Prisoner W-20170/Other
10 Living in Fear
11 Introduction to Advocacy for Native Women Who Have Been Raped
12 The Role of Advocates in the Tribal Legal System: Context is Everything
13 Overview of Sexual Violence Perpetrated by Purported Indian Medicine Men
14 Jurisdiction and Violence Against Native Women
15 Representing Native American Victims in Protection Order Hearings
16 Using Full Faith and Credit to Protect Native American Survivors of Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault
17 Divorce, Child Custody, and Support Issues in Tribal Courts
18 The Indian Child Welfare Act and Violence Against Women
19 The Role of probation in Providing Safety for Native Women
Part 20 Twenty-two poems by Native poets

This book is a must for anyone dealing with issues relating to women, Native Americans, or violence. The ethnographic discussion of violence in Native American cultures as a result of historical influences, including colonization and Christianization, is an important and often-overlooked element in understanding and eliminating violence in these communities. The text offers a unique discussion of violence, advocacy, and legal systems in the context of cultural and historical elements. The personal survival stories offer insights into the violence as well as into existing coping mechanisms in Native communities. The practical information, including how to talk to women involved in violence, tribal legal systems, and issues of custody and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), is invaluable to anyone working in these or related fields. Firmly imbedded in Native traditions of holistic existence, this book offers information that will be transferable to other ethnicities dealing with violence. Valuable for students of all levels, professors, advocates, and practitioners. *Summing Up:* Essential. All levels/libraries.