SCCADVASA joins the South Carolina Indian Affairs Commission to host a Summit on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirits

May 10, 2023

#NoMoreStolenSisters #MMIWActionNow #MMIWG2S

Columbia, S.C. – The S.C. Indian Affairs Commission will be hosting a Summit on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The MMISWG2 Summit is part of a movement that advocates for the end of violence against Native women. It also seeks to draw attention to the high rates of disappearances and murders of Native people, particularly women and girls.

“Throughout 2020 and 2021 the South Carolina Indian Affairs Commission worked with the University of South Carolina College of Social Work to gather data on MMIWG2S in South Carolina. The results were shocking and unsettling.” said T. Lilly Little Water, CEO of the S.C. Indian Affairs Commission. “We invite our fellow South Carolinians to join us as we seek Justice through awareness, education, and specific changes that need to be made to protect our tribal members and all Indigenous people in South Carolina.”

The summit will take place this Saturday, May 13, from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Building, 1107 Williams Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Nicole Matthews, Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, will be the keynote speaker. The summit will conclude with a candlelight vigil.

Additional speakers / participants:

  • Kathryn Moorehead, Director, S.C. Attorney General’s Office, Violence Against Women Act Programs, South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force
  • Tricia Phaup, LMSW, Director of Training, SCCADVASA
  • T. Lilly Little Water, CEO of the S.C. Indian Affairs Commission
  • Catawba Women’s River Drum

SCCADVASA is proud to sponsor this event and is also hosting a webinar the day prior entitled “The Critical Intersections of Sex Trafficking and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives”.

“The dangers of sex trafficking are often exacerbated by the long-existing barriers of invisibility and jurisdictional barriers that traffickers count on when committing violent crimes” said Tricia Phaup, SCCADVASA’s Director of Training. “Matthews will explore the critical intersections of sex trafficking with murdered and missing Indigenous relatives and offer support and training around the historical connections of Tribal cultures, impacts, policy, sovereignty, and traditional values, along with the emerging issues in contemporary sex trafficking — which are tightly woven between victims/survivors, their communities, and families.”

While registration has closed for the MMIWG2S summit, individuals interested in learning more about this important issue can still register for Friday’s webinar. They are also encouraged to reach out to the S.C. Indian Affairs Commission directly to learn more ways to get involved.

Please visit the S.C. Indian Affairs Commission Facebook page for contact information, to learn more about their work, and for information on upcoming events. To learn more about SCCADVASA, its member programs, and how to get involved by following @sccadvasa on social media or by visiting www.sccadvasa.org.

 

About the S.C. Indian Affairs Commission

The South Carolina Indian Affairs Commission strives to protect our cultures and the environment, advocate for the unique human rights of Native Americans, and preserve the history and heritage of its people. It strives for the betterment of Native American Indian People in the areas of Charitable, Education, Social, and Economic development, as well as cultural and traditional preservation and was created in 1985 by Chief Gilbert Blue, Chief Harold Hatcher, Chief Matthew Creel, and Chief Gene Norris, to give South Carolina’s legitimate historical tribes complete autonomy in their decision-making process.

 

About SCCADVASA

The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) serves as the collective voice promoting the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in South Carolina. Our vision is a South Carolina free from domestic violence and sexual assault. Our statewide coalition is made up of the 22 sexual assault and domestic violence direct service and advocacy programs in South Carolina and other allied organizations. Since 1981, SCCADVASA has been a leader in representing the critical needs of survivors and their families. Our dedicated staff advance our work through advocacy, education, and collaboration. Learn more at www.sccadvasa.org