Up against budget cuts, slow progress, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women celebrates 30th anniversary

Over the past three decades in New Mexico, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women has hosted conferences, published resources, facilitated trainings and championed bills at the Roundhouse — two of which have been signed into law.

As the group looks to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the work is not finished — nor is it getting easier. Federal budget cuts have already impacted staff at similar coalitions across the United States, and still, recent data indicates more than four-fifths of American Indian and Alaska Native women experience a form of violence in their lifetimes.

"To see that these services — such as technical assistance, policy advocacy, training and education and support to survivors — is still happening is inspirational," said Tiffany Jiron (Pueblo of Isleta),