Focus Areas of the Tribal Advisory Division

Strengthening Tribal Responses to Violence Across South Dakota

The Tribal Advisory Division supports coordinated, culturally responsive responses to violence across all nine tribes in South Dakota. Our work centers tribal sovereignty, community expertise, and survivor-defined needs while strengthening cross-system collaboration, training, and advocacy.

Cultural Awareness and Cultural Responsiveness Training

Honoring Tribal Diversity and Community-Led Solutions

South Dakota’s nine tribes share common histories and values while maintaining distinct cultures, traditions, spiritual practices, service structures, and community needs. The Tribal Advisory Division prioritizes cultural awareness to ensure responses to violence are respectful, relevant, and effective.

• Six cultural responsiveness trainings for the FAST Team

• Four Survivor Voices Initiative (SVI) events

• Four FAST Roundtables

• One MMIP Summit focused on culturally grounded responses

Education and Training on Violence Prevention and Response

Building Knowledge Across Systems and Generations

We provide comprehensive education on the complex factors impacting victims, advocates, and systems serving tribal communities.

Training topics include:

• Generational and historical trauma

• Jurisdiction and legal frameworks

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Victim advocacy and survivor-centered practices

• Human trafficking and drug trends

• Amber Alerts and missing persons response

• Emotional intelligence and vicarious trauma

• SANE response, forensic exams, SART, and MDTs

• Domestic violence and sexual assault intersections

• MMIP and human trafficking connections

• Data collection, MAVIS, prevention, and homelessness

• Truancy, legislation, and funding opportunities

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR/MMIP)

History, Awareness, and Case Coordination

The Tribal Advisory Division supports MMIR efforts through education, collaboration, and information-sharing.

• History and context of the MMIR movement

• Identification and tracking of cases

• Cross-agency communication and coordination

• Community awareness and prevention efforts

Human Trafficking Response in Tribal Communities

Prevention, Collaboration, and Systems Alignment

We support tribal and cross-jurisdictional responses to human trafficking through training, policy alignment, and partnerships.

• Definitions and indicators of human trafficking

• Tribal codes, state law, and federal law

• Emerging trends and regional challenges

• Prevention and awareness initiatives

• Collaboration with tribal, state, and federal partners

More Information about human trafficking.

Sexual Assault Response and SART Development

Trauma-Informed and Victim-Centered Practices

The Tribal Advisory Division strengthens sexual assault responses by supporting survivor-centered systems and coordinated teams.

• Trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches

• ACEs and long-term impacts of sexual violence

• Relationship-building with SANE programs, law enforcement, advocates, and service providers

• SART development and sustainability

• Education on sex offenders, recidivism reduction, and prevention strategies

More information about SARTs

Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration and FAST Team Engagement

Coordinated Community Responses Across Systems

The FAST Team brings together diverse partners to strengthen coordinated responses to violence in tribal communities.

Participating partners include:

• Tribal Domestic Violence Shelters and Coalitions

• Tribal schools, truancy groups, and educators

• Health care centers and SANE nurses

• Housing and transportation providers

• Advocates and victim service professionals

• Law enforcement, first responders, prosecutors, and public safety

• State and federal partners including DOJ, DCI, and DHS

• Human trafficking task forces and coalitions

• Community-based mental health centers

• Elders, judges, and legal professionals

• Helplines including 211, 888, and 988

Advocate Wellness, Self-Care, and Vicarious Trauma Support

Sustaining Those Who Serve Survivors

FAST calls and events create safe spaces for advocates and partners to share challenges, celebrate successes, and support one another.

• Addressing vicarious trauma and bias

• Emotional intelligence and wellness practices

• Yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy

• Community-building and peer support

Safety Planning and Advocate Protection

Supporting Physical, Emotional, and Operational Safety

We promote safety across all aspects of victim services work.

• Situational awareness

• Transportation safety

• Facility and structural safety

• Advocate safety planning

888 Hotline and Victim Access to Services

Improving Access to Advocacy and Forensic Care

In coordination with the 211 Helpline, the Tribal Advisory Division helped establish the 888 Hotline to improve access to victim services.

• Advocacy and crisis support

• Access to forensic exams

• Transportation to e-SANE health care facilities

• Expanded support for human trafficking survivors through partnership with the West River Human Trafficking Task Force

Statewide Tribal Expertise and Participation

Centering Tribal Leadership and Lived Experience

We are honored to have consistent participation from subject-matter experts and representatives from all nine tribes in South Dakota. FAST Team members represent advocacy, tribal leadership, education, health care, child advocacy, victim services, law enforcement, housing, and public safety.

This collaborative model ensures tribal voices guide the work and solutions remain community-driven, culturally grounded, and survivor-centered.

Lakota Youth Camp

Read about the Lakota Youth Solstice Camp that The Network assisted with through the Rape Prevention Education (RPE) grant funded by the South Dakota Department of Health. Lakota Youth Solstice Camp

Sexual Violence Institute

The 2024 Sexual Violence Institute was held on July 10th and 11th, 2024, in Rapid City. Below are links to recorded presentations from the SVI.

Sherriann Moore: Office on Violence Against Women Keynote

Heather Knox: Say Her Name; The Survival Story of Esther Wolfe Keynote

Jennifer Marsh & Renée Stapp: Culturally Appropriate Victim Services and Funding Sources for Tribes

Elizabeth Cronin: National Mass Violence Center Keynote

Jonathan H Kurkland:Fostering Strong Working Relationships When Working with Alcohol/Drug Assaults

Kim Nash: Sexual Assault Exams and Working Effectively with Victims of Violence Keynote

2024 SVI Highlight Video

Tribal Summit

The First Tribal Summit was held on September 27th, 2023 in Chamberlain. Information shared included state of SD Tribal Relations, cold cases in South Dakota, other resources, and a round table discussion. A Second Tribal Summit is being planned so check back for more details coming soon.