Honoring Survivors
Photo by: Lyndsey Brollini / Native Movement
On Oct. 1, the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a healing totem and panel carved by Wayne Price was unveiled and celebrated in Alaska’s capital city, Juneau. The totem and panel honor survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as missing and murdered Indigenous persons and their families and communities.
Alaska has had the highest rate of women killed by men in the nation for seven years now. Alaska Native women bear the brunt of this unacceptable statistic. They are 10 times more likely than white women to be killed.
This is absolutely unacceptable. Domestic and sexual violence are remnants of settler colonialism inflicted on our communities through boarding schools and the taking of Indigenous lands. Healing from historical trauma is extremely hard yet necessary work. We know there are also many healthy and vibrant Alaska Native families who are breaking the cycle.
Photo by: Lyndsey Brollini / Native Movement
This totem and panel remind us that in our work to end domestic and sexual violence in our communities, we must center healing. We must believe victims when they share their stories. We must support bodily autonomy and grow a culture of consent including with our young people. We also know that holding accountability is an act of love in effort to heal as a whole. We must create healing pathways for restorative justice. While we work on systemic issues we also know that the most powerful work begins in our homes and those closest to us.
The story of this totem shows a family of survivors on their healing journey together.
“We uplift all survivors who have courageously come forward and shared their stories. We believe you. This month must be more than just raising awareness- we need actions now. I call on each and every person who reads this to find an actionable item they can do to stop this violence,” said Aqpik Apok, Gender Justice and Healing Director at Native Movement.
The breaking of silence can be the first step on a healing journey. We urge you to find out how you can support the survivors you know. The culture of silence is a barrier to truths being told. Be a safe person for someone experiencing abuse to talk to, and believe survivors when they tell their stories. And if you are a survivor, there are resources you can utilize and people who love you and will support you without judgment.
At the unveiling celebration, people wrote the names of those they want to direct healing towards onto cedar pieces from the healing pole and put them in the fire. Our traditional ways, teachings, and culture offer many healing pathways. We uplift those who have been courageous to share their stories so others can come forward and be heard. The raising of the totem and panel are a beautiful illustration of healing led by our Indigenous people. May we carry that hope and intention forward this month and always.
Photo by: Lyndsey Brollini / Native Movement
Photo by: Lyndsey Brollini / Native Movement
