If we understand U.S. history and acknowledge social issues, we recognize that colonization has profoundly impacted Native Americans since the nation’s inception. A recent report reveals an alarming reality, particularly for Native women in urban settings.
In 2010, the Urban Indian Health Institute conducted a survey involving 148 Native women in the Seattle area, yielding shocking statistics. The report indicates that an astonishing 94% of the women had experienced rape or coercion into sexual acts, yet only 20% reported these incidents to law enforcement. Additionally, more than half of the participants reported having faced homelessness, and 86% acknowledged that historical trauma influenced their lives.
To better understand this last statistic, we need to explore the concept of historical trauma—a critical notion for those outside historically marginalized communities. When a racial or ethnic group endures genocide, enslavement, forced separations, and cultural erasure, the resulting trauma reverberates through generations. This means that the descendants of those directly affected also experience emotional, psychological, social, and financial repercussions.
Consider the case of a young Native American boy taken from his family to attend a boarding school. Stripped of his name, language, and cultural practices, he endures harsh treatment for resisting assimilation. As he grows older, societal rejection due to his ethnicity compounds his struggles. Though he eventually marries and has children, the burden of his unresolved trauma manifests in abusive behavior, leading to a cycle of violence and poverty that impacts his family.
The challenges faced by his children—growing up in a single-parent household and suffering from the absence of a father figure—are direct consequences of the historical oppression their family endured. The mother, too, may experience additional trauma, such as being sexually assaulted, yet feels unable to report it due to shame, distrust of authorities, or a belief that no justice will come from it. According to the UIHI report, only 8% of rape cases result in a perpetrator’s conviction.
These issues stem from historical injustices, including the forced assimilation of Native children and a general lack of accountability for the trauma inflicted upon them. Moreover, the report reveals ongoing injustices faced by Native women, who are disproportionately affected by violence. Disappearances of Native women and girls receive minimal media coverage, and violence against them occurs at rates significantly higher than the national average.
The Urban Indian Health Institute emphasizes the urgent need for more comprehensive data and understanding regarding the violence experienced by urban American Indian and Alaska Native women. Yet, despite these challenges, the resilience of Native women has been a cornerstone of their communities for generations. Sharing their stories is crucial for fostering meaningful change and combating the epidemic of sexual violence.
Native women are urging us to increase awareness by disseminating the UIHI report and discussing these pressing issues within our communities. If you’re looking to contribute positively, consider donating to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, which offers essential support services for Native women facing violence.
It’s imperative that we raise our voices in solidarity with Native women, acknowledging their suffering and working toward justice.
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In summary, the violence against Native women is a pressing issue that deserves greater attention and action. Historical trauma continues to affect generations, and it is vital to listen to and support Native communities in their fight for justice and healing.
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