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White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. |
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“Serving the Rosebud Reservation since 1977” P.O. Box 227 Mission, SD 57555 |
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White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. P.O. Box 227 Mission, SD 57555 U.S.A. |
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Phone: 605-856-2317 Fax: 605-856-2494 E-mail: webmaster@wbcws.org
You can contact us and send us your questions at: |
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About Us |
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Our Organization Since 1977, when WBCWS, Inc. was founded as a non-profit organization, the WBCWS has been working with women, men, and children on the Rosebud Reservation and surrounding areas. In October of 1980, the WBCWS established the first women's shelter in an Indian reservation in the United states. To this day, it continues to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and it has become more than just a shelter, but a renounce of information for our community. Our Mission Statement
The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. (WBCWS) prioritized violence against women is not a random state but is, in fact, a system of behaviors and tactics used to maintain power and control over women, whether that is as individuals or as a group. The WBCWS believes that violence against indigenous/Lakota women is not traditional to our culture and life way teachings. We believe it has its roots in an imposed and institutionalized system that was designed to maintain control over us as a People after genocide failed. We do not define violence against indigenous women as a problem within a relationship or as the pathology of an individual perpetrator. Again, it is perpetrated and maintained through society and institutions and is the same dynamic that perpetrates other forms of oppression, i.e. racism, classism, ageism, homophobia, able-bodyism, adultism, etc. We are committed to providing shelter and advocacy for individuals victimized by violence. We recognize the necessity of a multi-faceted approach –the need to develop an effective response to systems in our community such as health, criminal justice, and other institutions that minimize violence against woman. We also believe it is necessary to raise community awareness by naming what has happened to us as indigenous women. At the same time, we recognize that responding to systems may or may not make significant institutional changes that will stop violence against women. Therefore, we are also dedicated to exploring and creating actions that will move us toward a social transformation that will allow equity for women. We actively seek methods and processes that will facilitate nonviolent human interactions. We have internalized our oppression. It is also the mission of the WBCWS to support each other in our exploration of ourselves and our attachment to beliefs that justify our own oppressions and the oppressions of others. As we work to transform the world into a circle of peace and harmony, individual responsibility and self-growth is essential. As indigenous women, we have survived and held on to much of our tradition. In keeping with our woman culture we are expected to conduct ourselves ethically, and there is an expectation that WBCWS members and employees interact with one another in the spirit of unity and mutual support.
Our Philosophy
Many winters past (a waken woman), the White Buffalo Calf Woman, gave the sacred pipe to the Lakota people. The pipe represents the unity of all people and all things of the universe. Through the pipe, peace may come to all who understand and follow its meaning. The understanding would be in both their minds and their hearts.
The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. strives to follow the teaching if the White Buffalo Calf Woman. The goals are peace, understanding, and quality of life for all people. Only if there is peace and strength within each of our hearts can we hope to share this with others.
By learning more and caring deeply about ourselves and others, through yearning for and working toward growth, by giving and receiving knowledge, concern and inspiration, the vision of the White Buffalo Calf Woman may become the path of all the people.
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