Denise Rockenstein–Clear Lake Observer-American
NICE — Real-life stories told by survivors illustrated the painful effects of domestic violence during a symposium on the subject held Oct. 6 at Robinson Rancheria.
Survivors and advocates committed an entire day to the prevention of domestic violence and shared ideas to heighten awareness within local communities.
Various events will continue throughout the month of October as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Friday”s event focused on Native American women and featured inspirational speakers and a musician who shared stories about surviving abuse. Keynote speaker Brenda Hill described domestic violence as a culturally-based issue and called for social change.
A domestic abuse survivor herself, Hill has shared her story and spoken out against violence among native cultures since 1998. She told of her own experience as a victim and shared insight to recognizing abuse.
“Domestic violence is always about relationships,” Hill said. “It is ongoing and constant. It is about maintaining control over someone else.”
Domestic violence presents itself in many forms, including verbal and emotional abuse, isolation and intimidation, sexual abuse, racism, sexism, cultural and ritual abuse, and materialism and physical violence.
“Physical violence usually rises to some type of criminal offense,” Hill said. She noted that domestic violence is highly a gender issue with 96 percent of victims being women and four percent being men. “The majority of women murdered are killed while they are leaving, after they have left or while they are in the process of getting a restraining order.”
Hill”s teachings are based on the mission of Sacred Circle, National Resource Center To End Violence Against Native Women located in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Sacred Circle was established in 1998 as the fifth member of the domestic violence resource center network originally created in 1993 by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. The nonprofit organization offers a variety of workshops aimed at the prevention of domestic violence. For more information visit Sacred Circle”s Web site at www.sacred-circle.com.
Joanne Storm-Taylor shared her own story of survival in a musical presentation in which she was accompanied by her husband, Keith Taylor.
Storm-Taylor, an American Indian woman of Blackfoot heritage, described the abuse she had endured first as a child then as a young woman. As a survivor of violence and abuse delivered at the hands of men she had trusted in her life, she shared a story that entertained a message of hope. She described how she found strength within herself and release through her music to overcome the painful experiences of her life.
Following Storm-Taylor”s heartfelt performance that featured an essence of her tribal heritage, Linda Adams of Gordon Training International (GTI) spoke. Adams is the widow of the late husband Dr. Thomas Gordon who developed the “Gordon Model” ? a tool for effective, nonviolent conflict resolution.
The Gordon Model teaches nonviolent ways of communication for unilateral resolution. Adams described training techniques that are derived from compromise that result in “no lose” conflict resolution and explained how “win/lose” conflict resolutions are destructive to all parties involved.
“Power-based relationships exact a high price whether you are in control or if you are the victim,” she said. Adams emphasized the importance of maintaining good listening skills, recognizing equalization and resolving conflicts in a way in which both people”s needs are met. She explained how stress can be both psychologically and physically damaging and how one”s actions can effect those around you. “How we treat each other and how we treat our children is critical,” she said.
Friday”s symposium was hosted by Lake County Citizen”s Committee on Indian Affairs Inc. Native American Community Education Center. It concluded with a dance performance by Pomo youth dancers Gabriel Ramos, Anthony Arroyo and Ryan Rave with instructor Nate Solorio.
The event included guests from several surrounding tribal reservations and project leaders, members of the education community including Konocti Unified School District and several guests representing the Lake County Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force including those from Lake Family Resource Center.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
