Join us for Tundra Women’s Coalition’s Annual Meeting on Friday, May 10th at 5:30 PM. Hear about the past year at TWC and our path forward in 2019. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Alaska Criminal Justice Commission is hosting a Crime Victim Listening Session on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel, AK. The session is focused on helping to improve services and response for victims of crime in Alaska. Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact the Alaska Judicial Council: Barbara Dunham at bdunham@ajc.state.ak.us or Staci Corey at scorey@ajc.state.ak.us, (907) 279-2526, www.ajc.state.ak.us

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The theme for #SAAM this year is “I Ask,” which highlights the importance of asking for and receiving consent in all interactions. Remember that consent is an affirmative YES. A shrug or no answer at all is not consent. Have questions? Check out the resources at nsvrc.org!

Please help save a life today by making a Pick.Click.Give. contribution to TWC when you file for your 2019 PFD. If you have already filed and would like to add or increase a Pick.Click.Give. contribution, you may do so by visiting pfd.alaska.gov and clicking the green Pick.Click.Give. button.

Remember, contributions made to TWC through Pick.Click.Give. are eligible entries into Bethel Community Services Foundation’s Give+Get drawing for $1,000 or $500!

Qaspeq sewers, we need you!!

TWC is planning to ramp up our Domestic Violence Awareness Month Purple Qaspeq campaign this year with a purple qaspeq auction, but first we need some qaspeqs to action off. We have lots of nice purple fabrics, we just need some fabulous creative sewers to donate their time to turn it into beautiful qaspeqs for us. If you or someone you know would like to help us with this project, please email or call Lisa at lisa_whalen@twcpeace.org or 907-545-1855. Thank you so much for working with us to make the Delta safe for all women and children!

Last week, TWC hosted a retreat for shelter residents and staff together, called Qinuitnakun Pillgutekluta (Togetherness Through Peace).

The day began with an Elder-led prayer & breakfast with the shelter families and TWC staff. Several residents commented on how nice it was to eat together.

Elders provided teachings & stories for two hours. This was followed with a snack of traditional Native foods shared with families, the Elders and some TWC staff. The Elders commented, “This was nice and the way it should be.”

While shelter residents and staff listened to the teachings of the Elders, a large group of children were provided guided activities. Children were heard talking, “Something fun is happening!”

The families prepared to go on a boat ride and look for berries. An Elder accompanied the families on the boat.

The Elder opened dinner with a prayer and families and staff ate together. Staff were able to help with children and infants so mothers could eat and talk with the Elder and other adults. A resident said, “This is like a family day!”

The evening ended with a drumming circle. TWC provided childcare for children too young to participate in the drumming circle. The Elder left saying it was, “A good fun day. I’m glad I was invited.”