White Buffalo Calf Woman Society History

Current events

White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc.

“Serving the Rosebud Reservation since 1977”

P.O. Box 227

Mission, SD 57555

          The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. has been the primary service provider for victims of domestic violence on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation for over thirty years.  The WBCWS, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is a grass roots women's organization whose primary mission is to provide safety, shelter, shelter-related services and outreach services to women who have been victimized by domestic violence and/or sexual assault… 

     The WBCWS, Inc. is the oldest shelter located on an Indian reservation in the nation as well as the first women of color shelter in the United States.  The WBCWS, Inc. and its Society members have provided leadership in addressing domestic violence at the local, state and national level throughout this time.  The WBCWS, Inc. is also active in working with the tribal criminal justice system in enhancing its' response to violence against women and conducts the Men's Program, a re-educational program for batterers which was established in 1988.      The WBCWS, Inc. provides the following services to women victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault and their children: shelter, support groups, individualized advocacy, children's advocacy services and support groups for the children, criminal justice support/advocacy, legal advocacy and legal services. The shelter provides advocacy in the courts, with social services, with healthcare, education, housing, and operates a 24-hour crisis line. The services and advocacy provided promote the empowerment and autonomy of women victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault. Services are respectful and culturally responsive and also encompass providing safety and services to women victimized by dating violence and stalking.

     The WBCWS, Inc believes violence against Indigenous women is not traditional to our life way teachings.  The WBCWS, Inc recognizes that abuse of power in society fosters violence against women, by perpetuating conditions that condone violence against women.  Therefore, it is part of our mission to work for the social and institutional changes necessary to eliminate both personal and societal violence against all women, elders, and to provide our youth with the tools and education to live a violence free adult life.