April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for survivors. Sexual violence can happen anywhere, in any community, and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, including Native American communities, who are disproportionately impacted. Sexual violence means any unwanted sexual contact or behavior without consent. This can include rape, child sexual abuse, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, exploitation or trafficking, sharing private images without permission, or exposing oneself in public. It can involve pressure, threats, manipulation, or force.
Sexual violence is more common than many people realize. About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men report experiencing rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Around 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men report unwanted sexual contact. Many survivors know the person who harmed them, and more than half of women who experience rape report it was by an intimate partner. These experiences often begin at a young age, showing why education and early support are so important.
If you or someone you know needs help, you are not alone. Free and confidential support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or by texting 64673. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Legal Hotline at 567-742-8837 for legal support. Reaching out can be a powerful first step toward healing, and there are people ready to listen and help.
Statistics In-Depth – National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
By A. Gwynn Henderson, David Pollack, and Bruce L. Manzano Ancient wild turkey bones recovered from archaeological sites in the Middle Ohio River Valley hold centuries-old stories. Like Native stories and songs passed down through many generations, these bones whisper of Indigenous hunting strategies and of how Native hunters changed those strategies when circumstances called […]
The Sid Meier’s Civilization VII: Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack is downloadable add-on content that expands the Civilization VII experience with the Tecumseh leader and Shawnee civilization. Please note that the pack is not a standalone game and requires Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, which must be purchased separately. Once purchased, the add-on can be downloaded through […]
BATTERIES: Why batteries shouldn’t end up in landfills. Key Reasons to Avoid Disposing Batteries in Landfills:
The Shawnee Tribe is accepting public comments from tribal citizens about the Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) in preparation for next fiscal year, which begins October 1. All Shawnee households residing in the state of Oklahoma are encouraged to provide comments. Submit comments here through Monday, August 27, 2026. The LIHEAP program also still has funding […]
The Shawnee Tribe is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Marina Staubus, whose artwork Whispers in the Wind earned First Place in the Painting category at the 2026 55th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Marina, a Shawnee Tribe citizen, continues a family tradition of service and dedication to the Tribe as the daughter of Mike Staubus, […]
A traditional bow-making workshop recently brought together Shawnee youth and cultural instructors to share knowledge, skills, and values that have been passed down through generations. The opportunity began when a request was made to teach Shawnee relatives the traditional craft of bow making. Having previously shared these skills with Muscogee participants, the instructors were honored […]
By David Pollack, A. Gwynn Henderson, and Edward R. Henry A people’s relationship to their homeland is dynamic. How they alter the landscape reflects their sense of place, their social relationships, and their connections to their ancestors. This is as true now as it was in the past. The North Elkhorn Creek Earthworks Around 500 […]
The Hidden Cost of Four Everyday Products When we buy a product, we usually see only the price on the shelf. What we don’t see is the environmental cost of making it. For example, it takes about 2,700 liters (713 gallons) of water to produce a single cotton T-shirt—about the same amount one person drinks […]