StrongHearts Native Helpline scales up to address ‘a crisis within a crisis’
EAGAN, Minn. – StrongHearts Native
Helpline – a free, anonymous and cultur-
ally appropriate helpline for American
Indians affected by domestic, dating and
sexual violence – has expanded its services
to address the needs of a population dispro-
portionately affected by both the COVID-
19 pandemic and domestic violence.
The organization has added online
chat and sexual violence advocacy and is
currently recruiting advocates to provide
24-hour services to meet demand from
American Indians along with referrals to
resources such as legal advocacy, shelters
and Native-centered domestic violence
programs in each community as available.
“We’re alarmed by trends in domestic
violence across the country during the
pandemic. It’s a crisis within a crisis,”
said Lori Jump, director of StrongHearts
Native Helpline. “Tribal communities
are acutely impacted by this issue. Our
organization is working to reach out to our
relatives in Indian Country with advocates
who understand their experience in a per-
sonal and authentic way.”
New studies confirm layered suffering
As reported by the Radiological Soci-
ety of North America earlier this month,
lockdowns during the pandemic have
contributed to increased rates of domestic
violence across the country and many
victims are trapped for longer hours with
their abusers.
Indian Country includes an estimated
6.79 million people from 573 federally
recognized Tribes and these individuals
experience domestic violence at much
higher rates.
The effects of the pandemic on Amer-
ican Indians are stark. Another recent
study cited by the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) found that in the 23 states
studied, American Indians were diagnosed
with COVID-19 at a rate 3.5 times higher
than the non-Hispanic white population.
According to the National Institute
of Justice (NIJ), more than 1 in 2 Native
women (55.5%) and 1 in 3 Native men
(43.2%) have experienced physical vio-
lence by intimate partners in their lifetime.
Scaling services to answer a
surge in demand
“The impact of COVID-19, layered
on top of a lack of sufficient health care,
is compounding the marginalization and
victimization of Indigenous peoples,”
Jump said. “With an expanded staff and
24-hour services, we can be a lifeline to
a highly vulnerable population during an
exceedingly challenging time.”
StrongHearts Native Helpline offers
nationwide support to a historically under-
served population disproportionately
affected by intimate partner violence.
While the helpline currently operates
daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CST), there
remains a need for 24-7 assistance. The
new online chat advocacy gives those in
need of help the option to reach out in a
more discreet manner without needing to
speak on the phone.
Additionally, the helpline’s launch
of sexual violence advocacy addresses
specific trauma experienced by victim-
survivors of sexual violence. These new
initiatives, paired with plans to hire addi-
tional advocates, will support the growing
need for services.
Those interested in applying to be a
StrongHearts Native Helpline advocate
should visit strongheartshelpline.org/
careers for more information.
Any Indigenous person in North
America experiencing relationship vio-
lence or anyone who believes an American
Indian friend, family member or coworker
may be in an abusive relationship is
encouraged to contact the StrongHearts
Native Helpline by calling 844-7NATIVE
(844-762-8483) and visiting StrongHeart-
sHelpline.org to connect with an advocate.
About StrongHearts Native Helpline
StrongHearts Native Helpline was
created by and built to serve Tribal com-
munities across the United States. It is
a culturally appropriate, anonymous,
confidential and free service dedicated
to serving Native survivors, concerned
family members and friends affected by
domestic, dating and sexual violence.
Dial 844-7NATIVE (844-762-8483)
or click on the chat now icon at strong-
heartshelpline.org daily from 7 a.m. to 10
p.m. CST. Connect with knowledgeable
advocates who can provide lifesaving tools
and immediate support to enable survivors
to find safety and live lives free of abuse.
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a
project of the National Indigenous Wom-
en’s Resource Center and the National
Domestic Violence Hotline. Learn more
at strongheartshelpline.org.
NMAI to open National Native American Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day
WASHINGTON – The National
Museum of the American Indian will open
the new National Native American Veter-
ans Memorial on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The moment will be marked with a
short virtual message to honor the service
and sacrifice of Native veterans and their
families. The message will be on both the
museum’s website and its YouTube channel.
“The National Native American Vet-
erans Memorial will serve as a reminder
to the nation and the world of the service
and sacrifice of Native American, Alaska
Native and Native Hawaiian veterans,”
said Kevin Gover, director of the museum.
“Native Americans have always answered
the call to serve and this memorial is a
fitting tribute to their patriotism and deep
commitment to this country.”
The memorial, which sits on the
grounds of the museum, was commis-
sioned by Congress to give “all Americans
the opportunity to learn of the proud and
courageous tradition of service of Native
Americans in the Armed Forces of the
United States.”
American Indians have served in every
major military conflict in the U.S. since the
Revolutionary War. This will be the first
national landmark in Washington, D.C., to
focus on the contributions of American
Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawai-
ians who have served in the military.
The memorial design is by Harvey
Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of
Oklahoma), a multimedia artist, retired
forensic artist and Marine Corps Vietnam
veteran. The design features an elevated
stainless steel circle resting on a carved
stone drum. It also incorporates water for
sacred ceremonies, benches for gatherings
and four lances where veterans, family
members, Tribal leaders and others can
tie cloths for prayers and healing.
The museum planned to host a dedica-
tion ceremony and veterans’ procession to
mark the memorial’s completion but post-
poned those events due to current health and
safety guidelines. The museum will resched-
ule both events when it is safe to do so.
Major support for the memorial has
been provided by the Cheyenne and Arap-
aho Tribes, Chickasaw Nation, Margaret
A. Cargill Philanthropies, Poarch Band of
Creek Indians, San Manuel Band of Mis-
sion Indians and Shakopee Mdewakanton
Sioux Community.
The memorial has also been widely
supported by Tribal governments and
Tribal veterans organizations. More than
85 Tribes, individuals, corporations and
other organizations have contributed to
the memorial.
Why We Serve book and exhibition
To coincide with the completion of
the National Native American Veterans
Memorial, the museum has published
Why We Serve: Native Americans in the
United States Armed Forces, a 240-page
book that commemorates the history of
American Indian military service.
American Indians serve in the mili-
tary at one of the highest rates of any
ethnic group and the book explores the
many reasons why – from love of home to
the expression of warrior traditions.
The book is co-authored by Alexandra
Courtesy photos by Alan Karchmer for NMAI
The National Native American Veterans Memorial
Harris and Mark Hirsch, senior editor and
historian, respectively, at NMAI. Other
contributors include Sen. Ben Nighthorse
Campbell (Northern Cheyenne), Rep. Deb
Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna), Rep. Mark-
wayne Mullin (Cherokee Nation), Gover
(Pawnee), Jefferson Keel (Chickasaw) and
Herman Viola.
The museum will host a virtual dis-
cussion with Harris about identity and
the warrior stereotype of Native people
serving in the military as well as actual –
and remarkable – traditions of peace and
war within American Indian communities.
The event takes place Nov. 12 at noon EST.
Details for registering for this Zoom event
are available at AmericanIndian.si.edu.
The exhibition Why We Serve tells
poignant, personal stories of American
Indian veterans from colonial times to
the present day. The exhibition will be
on online and on view in the museum’s
Potomac Atrium beginning Nov. 11.
Native Words, Native Warriors
Educational Module
This module, part of the museum’s
Native Knowledge 360° educational ini-
tiative, honors the legacy of Native Code
Talkers who created secret military com-
munications based on their languages.
Their efforts significantly aided Allied
victories during World Wars I and II.
Veterans History Project
The Library of Congress’ American
Folklife Center collects, preserves and
makes accessible the personal accounts of
American war veterans so future generations
can hear their stories and better understand
the realities of war. In partnership with the
museum, the project preserves the stories of
Native men and women who have served in
the military through interviews, correspon-
dence and photographs.
November 2020
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