April and May Newsletter: Snowstorm, Intense Training,

Ribbon Skirts, and an Awareness Walk - We were BUSY!

Mitakuyapi - Friends and Relatives, 

My apologies for being late getting you our newsletter for April and May.

April was a busy month preparing for training.  Staff traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota April 4th to do two presentations on sex trafficking to the First Nations Women’s Alliance.  A snowstorm threatened travel to North Dakota so we left a day early to be safe. The storm stopped some of the participants from attending in person but the First Nation’s Women’s Alliance was able to provide the presentation through Zoom for those unable to travel due to blizzard warnings.

On April 12 & 13 staff traveled to the Annual Sexual Violence Institute hosted by the South Dakota Network. The training was attended by many around the state with local presenters. One special presenter, whom I have known for years and worked alongside serving victims, was Marlys Big Eagle, an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and who grew up on the reservation. Marlys presented and talked about MMIWR issues in Indian Country at this conference.

As the liaison, Marlys is focusing on addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) crisis in Indian Country. Marlys first joined EOUSA as a Management and Program Analyst, providing policy guidance to the United States Attorneys’ offices victim witness programs. Prior to joining EOUSA, she served as the Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of South Dakota for over 20 years and worked tirelessly supporting victims of federal crimes in Indian Country.

Ribbon Skirt Making and MMIWP Awareness Event.

Through funders, Pathfinder Center was able to secure funding to purchase material for ribbon skirts. On April 12 classes and hands-on making Ribbon Skirts were provided to those interested in making MMIWR ribbon skirts for awareness and a walk held on May 5th on the Lower Brule reservation. This was a huge success and gave us time to gather and sew and talk about what we can do to prevent sex trafficking in our communities.

Prior to our awareness event, Marlys and I met with the Tribal Council. Marlys shared how she is getting input on concerns from tribes and individuals of what are the issues and problems in Indian Country and taking those comments to the Department of Justice.

Also in attendance were Alison J. Ramsdell, SD US Attorney, and Troy Morley, Assistant US Attorney.  After the awareness walk the microphone was open to participants to address their concerns on MMIWR and other concerns to the US Attorney’s Office and Marlys Big Eagle. The turnout was successful and many of the participants' concerns were addressed and acknowledged. Marlys will be delivering these concerns back to the Biden Administration's U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland.

Intense 5-Day Training Completed

April 24 - 29, Pathfinder Center hosted an intense Sex Trafficking Equipping Course in Chamberlain, SD. The training was attended by four staff, Law enforcement, and others interested in helping and becoming involved.  We were thankful to the Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains and Native Hope for assisting with snacks during this intense 5-day training.

On the evening of the 26th, at Chamberlain State Theater, Pathfinder Center hosted a movie and a panel discussion on “Sex Trafficking in Our Backyard”. Panel members included; Kendall Cadwell, Pathfinder Center Coordinator, Mary Jackson, Advocate and Sex Trafficking Survivor, Tina Baz, Association for the Recovery for Children Program Coordinator, along with local reservation law enforcement. And it was an honor to be the facilitator for this event.

Our goal for the movie and panel discussion was to help the community become more educated and aware that human trafficking is everywhere, even in small towns and on reservations.

Big Wopida Tanka (Big Thank You) to Native Hope for providing free popcorn and pop to those attending the movie and panel presentation.

Interested in learning more about what training we offer? Please go to our webpage here.

Pathfinder Center assists many survivors with start-up funds to help them start their own small businesses such as purchasing beads, crafts, materials, and art supplies. We will post these items made by survivors on our website soon. All proceeds from the sale of the item will go back to the survivor.

God bless each one of you and please keep Pathfinder Center staff and survivors in your prayers.

Thank you all for your support in helping survivors to heal from their traumas and find their God-given purpose.

Pathfinder Center is a 501c3 non-profit and all donations are tax-deductible. Please consider donating to help a survivor in need. Donations can be made online through our website at www.pathfindercenter.org/donations or by a check mailed to Pathfinder Center, PO Box 49, Fort Thompson, SD 57339. Thank You!

We are a 501c3 non-profit organization. Donations are deductible as allowed by IRS law.