In recognition of the harm domestic violence causes to our communities, Chief Ben Barnes designated the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” through Shawnee Tribe Proclamation 2024-10-03.
“WHEREAS, the Shawnee Tribe recognizes domestic violence as a threat to tribal sovereignty and the basic human right of our citizens to thrive, and calls upon its citizens and employees to discover the strength of victim service providers such as the Shawnee Tribe Behavioral Health & Victim Services that help domestic violence victims and survivors by offering support, services, and healing; and
WHEREAS, the Shawnee Tribe encourages citizens and employees to discover the strength of compassion, empathy and understanding within themselves to uplift domestic violence victims and survivors; and to discover the strength of respectful and healthy relationships to create a legacy free from violence for the next generation…”
Read the full proclamation online in the Shawnee Tribe Municode library, here.
Throughout October, the tribe’s Behavioral Health & Victim Services Department has hosted multiple events to spread awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In addition to a free bingo night at the Community Building in Miami, OK, department staff facilitated a “Paint the Town Purple” campaign for local businesses and highlighted influential Native American women and their contributions to the history and future of Indian Country through a campaign on the tribe’s Facebook page.
Tribal employees also wore purple attire and awareness ribbons on Friday, October 18, to support the cause.
Although this month of awareness is coming to a close, information about Shawnee Tribe Victim Services and tribal resources for victims of domestic violence are always available. Visit the program page here.
The Shawnee Tribe’s Behavioral Health Program is providing information in January for Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking is a serious and often misunderstood form of victimization. It involves a pattern of behaviors that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or experience significant emotional distress. Stalking is not rare, and it is not […]
Tire recycling (or rubber recycling) is the process of collecting worn-out tires and reprocessing them into useful materials instead of letting them take up space in landfills. Because tires are durable and don’t break down easily, recycling them protects the environment, reduces fire risks, and eliminates potential mosquito-breeding sites in improperly disposed tire piles. Common […]
For many people, the holiday season brings connection, celebration, and routine changes. But for survivors of domestic violence or past trauma, this time of year can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. Increased stress, family expectations, and sensory triggers can intensify anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD. Holiday environments can activate the brain’s trauma pathways. Sensory […]
Common E-Waste Items: Why does it matter? Key Facts: Sources: World Health Organization
On Saturday, September 20, during the Annual Meeting of the Tribal Council, former Shawnee Chief Ron Sparkman gave a history and retrospective. In 2019, the Business Council gave Sparkman the title of Ambassador to the Shawnee Tribe. He served as Chief from 2001 to 2019. “We have come a long, long way,” said Ambassador Sparkman. […]
WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE? HOW DO I RECYCLE? Sources: earth911.com
by A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack The original mouth of the Scioto River, in what is now southern Ohio, is far from Oklahoma. So far, perhaps, it has been forgotten. But important events in Shawnee history—in the mid-1700s and thousands of years earlier—took place there. Two painted panels on Portsmouth, Ohio’s floodwall highlight its […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIAMI, OK — The Shawnee Tribe has declared a state of emergency and released emergency funds to assist citizens who may lose access to food assistance following the federal government’s suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified the Tribe on October 22 that SNAP operations will […]