PURPOSE: Reclaiming Our Stories is a project that seeks to center the voices of those most impacted by domestic violence. We will lean into the tradition of our ancestors as storytellers to shift narratives and shape policy and public conversations about domestic and sexual violence. The stories of survivors will be used to support resilience, transcend survival, and support healing justice.  

Participants will engage in a one-day 4 hr focus group to have safe conversations directly with other survivors and a licensed trauma-informed provider who will inform our long-term policy advocacy. We will support survivors with care, dignity, and confidentiality as they spend time and share their expertise. The goal is to support their ongoing healing while also developing policy priorities that are reflective of survivors’ lived experiences and needs. CSVANW will create a trauma-informed session to gather information and input from the survivors to inform real policy advocacy changes needed on the tribal, state, and federal levels.  

Eligibility:  10 Indigenous women aged 18 years and older who:  

• Self-identify as female  

• Self-identify as Indigenous  

• Live in New Mexico  

• Are survivors of domestic violence

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONSENT: All information provided by participants will be private and confidential, no names will be used or reported, participation is voluntary, and an individual may stop at any time. Due to the sensitive nature of the research framework, only 2 CSVANW staff will be supporting the facilitator during focus group session.