b'ADVOCACYtheir way of life and the unique circumstance they were facing, she notes. Indigenous women and girls often struggle to connect with people who are unfamiliar with their culture. By providing these essential services, the NIWRC ensures they have access to the culturally appropriate support and resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives after experiencing violence. The organization also helped to set up the Alaska Native Womens Resource Center and the Native Hawaiian Resource Center for those regions.Moving forward, Sahneyah says the next imperative step is for the U.S. government to restore full authority to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Nations to protect Indigenous women through the expansion of Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction for Indian Nations under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2021. We must recognize also offer training and technical assistance to law enforcement,and respect Indigenous responses to this crisis, she stresses. healthcare providers, social workers and others who work withEvery federal department must develop action plans with Indigenous women and girls. This support is crucial to ensuremeaningful consultation with American Indian Nations, Alaskan that Indigenous communities have the resources needed toNatives and Native Hawaiians. address the complex issue of gender-based violence. Clearly, there is still much work to be done by Sahneyah and her dedicated colleagues at the NIWRC. But for them, it is not A critical NIWRC-established resource is a 24-hour StrongHeartsjust a job: its a personal mission, and they are in it for the long Native Helpline, a trauma-informed hotline specifically designedhaul. When it comes to addressing violence against Indigenous for Indigenous peoples. The U.S. National Domestic Violencewomen and girls in the U.S., we know there is a lot of work Hotline, says Sahneyah, was not effective for Indigenous women.ahead [and] we know this work needs to carry over to future Not a lot of [Indigenous] women called for help because it wasgenerations and be sustainable, Sahneyah says. Change doesnt difficult for them to relate to an individual who was unfamiliar withhappen overnight. Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers Local 30Sheet Metal, Roofing, Air Balancing, Coping & Flashing, Siding & Decking190 Milner Avenue Toronto, ON M1S 5B6Phone: (416) 299-7260 | Fax: (416) 299-7734Email: info@smwia-L30.comSolidarity & Craftsmanship for over 125 yearsWWW.SMWIA-L30.COMOntario Native Womens Association21'