Pueblo Murder a Chance to Confront Violence
A recent murder at Taos Pueblo has hit close to home and heart for our community: 29-year-old Pueblo woman, DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, was killed outside her house, and her boyfriend has been charged with murder, according to the Taos News. Alleged statements from the accused admits many incidents of violence within their relationship.
It’s time to give more thought about what all of us can do to confront an endemic crisis of Native American women murdered or gone missing. These statistics should give us all a jolt – and a strong reason to take action:
- Nearly 85% (more than 4 out of 5) of indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetimes, and they face murder rates more than 3 times the national average. (U.S. Department of Justice)
- Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death of indigenous women. (Centers for Disease Control)
- Data shows 75% of missing indigenous women and girls are 10-40 years old. (National Unidentified Persons System)
After DeAnna’s murder, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women issued this statement: “As community leaders from different tribal communities across New Mexico, we guide our work of addressing systemic violence against Native communities from a place of healing. Because we understand our communities have been pushed to repress historical trauma while reliving the same day in and day out – leading to ongoing self-harm through different expressions of violence against our own.
“Healing can only come when accountability is centered to address systemic issues negatively impacting our families and loved ones. Without a clear means to bring forth justice, to address root causes on a variety of fronts, and without the courage to talk about what is needed in order to heal, ourselves and our leadership become complicit in the ongoing oppression of our communities.”
As the statement says, this crisis of violence upon Native American women on tribal lands has been going on for a long time, almost all under the radar. It results in an incredibly high number of Native women being murdered and untold thousands going missing. A national database for tracking missing Native women in this country calculates approximately half of the missing women were taken from their homes on tribal lands, many believe by non-Native assailants.
Here are some ways you can help stem this incomprehensible tide of violence: join the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women at CSVANW.org, become an advocate and focus on changing New Mexico policies on missing and murdered Native women, volunteer and be in contact with state and national representatives and senators to convince them to support legislation to slow this crisis.
DeAnna’s murder diminishes us all. Violence inside someone else’s home is not a private matter. It is our collective responsibility.
If you are using power and control tactics, being violent in your relationships, choose to get help to change – CAV’s Changes Program is available.
Here's what CSVANW leaders say about responsibility and healing among men: “The loss of young DeAnna is the latest example of something much deeper happening in our society–including tribal communities. It is an expression of the lack of action coming from men in power, who sustain impunity and thus perpetuate the devaluing of women’s lives. Because we must be clear that Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women is not simply a women’s issue, it is also a men’s issue that needs to be addressed by men for men.”
Malinda Williams is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour Helpline at 575-758-9888. TaosCAV.org
