Breaking the Silence Video
ABOUT US
Our Background
White Buffalo Calf Women's Society, Inc. was initially founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization, and in 1980 our organization became the first women's shelter on an Indian Reservation in the United States. It was founded by our Lakota grandmothers to serve our Relatives and their families whose lives are directly and indirectly impacted by violence.
White Buffalo Calf Women's Society (WBCWS) provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The primary purpose of WBCWS has always been to offer safe shelter to victims of violent crimes on the Rosebud.
Our community can depend on us for response and support.
Our work is guided by the teachings of Pte’ San Win to restore the spirt of every individual who seeks our help in their time of need. We extend our knowledge and cultural resources to empower our community to end violence in and around Rosebud Reservation.
Our Culture
Sicangu Oyate (Rosebud Reservation) is located in south central South Dakota and is comprised of 22 communities spanning 1,442 square miles. The reservation exterior boundaries are approximately 60 miles long and 50 miles wide. The Sicangu Lakota have jurisdiction over six independent Indian communities, which are located within the historical boundaries of the Rosebud reservation, but lie outside the now existing reservation borders.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe extends into five counties: Todd, Tripp, Mellette, Gregory and Lyman. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe has approximately 33,212 tribal members, and 28,230 who reside in and round the Rosebud Reservation.
The language we are trying to conserve is Lakota, and we are a proud nation working together to end domestic and sexual violence.