March is Women’s History Month! This month, we celebrate the generations of women who have shaped our world, and the generations of women to come who will follow in the footsteps of our grandmothers.
In acknowledgement and celebration of this month, MIWSAC is highlighting Native women leaders in the movement to end sexual violence, promote safety, and protect sovereignty.
Buffalo Calf Road Woman was a Cheyenne warrior who bravely fought at the Rosebud Battle in 1876, where she rode into battle to save her brother. Buffalo Calf Road Woman also fought at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and helped aid in the defeat of U.S. forces there. This month, and every month, we honor Buffalo Calf Road Woman’s bravery in fighting for and protecting her people, her homelands, and her lifeways.
Tillie Black Bear/Wa Wokiye Win (Woman Who Helps Everyone) is considered the grandmother of the movement to end Violence Against Women. Wa Wokiye Win gave hope and healing to generations of our relatives in her initial organizing to end domestic violence & sexual assault against Indigenous women in the United States. This month, and every month, we honor Tillie Black Bear and her commitment to end violence against Native women in this country.
Sarah Deer is a Muscogee Lawyer, Scholar, Professor and Advocate. She currently serves as Chief Justice for the Prairie Island Indian Community Court of Appeals and as a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas. As a Tribal jurist and scholar, Justice Deer’s scholarship focuses on the intersection of federal Indian law and victims’ rights, using Indigenous principles as a framework. This month, and every month, we honor Sarah Deer and her legal advocacy regarding violence against Native women, sexual violence in Indian Country, and criminal justice reform.
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan has long advocated for the rights of Native people, both in the state of Minnesota and beyond. During her tenure as Lt. Governor of Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Flanagan was instrumental in establishing the Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office, the first in the nation. Lt. Gov. Flanagan also co-chairs the work of the Young Women’s Initiative. This month, and every month, we honor Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and her fearless advocacy for the safety and sovereignty of our relatives, in Minnesota and beyond.
Senator Mary Kunesh is a Minnesota State Senator who created the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Taskforce in 2018. Senator Kunesh, a citizen of the Standing Rock Tribe, continues to make her mark as the first Native woman to serve in the Minnesota Senate—from supporting landback bills to voting initiatives, Senator Kunesh continues to fight for our relatives. This month, and every month, we honor Senator Kunesh and her continued work to end violence against our relatives in Minnesota.
Join us in acknowledging and honoring these fearless Native women leaders who have, and continue, to fight for our safety and sovereignty.