25th Anniversary Celebration of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Honoring Our Native Women Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2019
25th Anniversary Celebration of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA):
Honoring Our Native Women Survivors
On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, Tribal leaders from across Indian Country and Members of Congress will host “VAWA at 25: Honoring Our Native Women Survivors,” an event to recognize the 25th anniversary of the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. The bi-partisan event will feature confirmed speakers Congresswoman Debra Haaland (D-NM) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), and will showcase a traditional shawl ceremony.
Since its enactment in 1995, each reauthorization of VAWA has included important reforms that have increased the safety of Native women across the United States. Scheduled for 12 p.m. at the House Triangle at the United States Capitol, the celebration will also serve to address the need to reauthorize VAWA and to take the next steps necessary to address the persistently high rates of violence experienced by Native women.
Attendees are encouraged to wear the color red to demonstrate solidarity with survivors and honor missing and murdered indigenous women.
Press interested in attending should contact Elizabeth Carr at ecarr[at]niwrc.org.
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About the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center:
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (NIWRC) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to restoring the sovereignty of Native nations and safeguarding Native women and their children. The NIWRC supports culturally grounded, grassroots advocacy and provides national leadership to ending gender-based violence in Indigenous communities through the development of educational materials and programs, direct technical assistance and the development of local and national policy that builds the capacity of Indigenous communities and strengthens the exercise of tribal sovereignty. www.niwrc.org
About the National Congress of American Indians:
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information, visit www.ncai.org.
