ONE FIRE Victim Advocates Program

Native women are two and a half times more likely than non-Native women to lack access to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and response services. Ten years ago, there were few places specifically dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in northeast Oklahoma. Local non-tribal organizations had a limited understanding of Cherokee culture and were unequipped to deal with the legacy of intergenerational trauma.

Survivors living within the Cherokee Nation have access and it serves as a referral service to Cherokee citizens located elsewhere in the US. ONE FIRE advocates collaborate with each client to formulate an individualized safety plan and coordinate with tribal and state officials to arrange restraining orders and criminal charges. Moreover, it also provides services that support longer-term recovery. Cultural healing through art therapy is a cornerstone of ONE FIRE.

In the past eight years, ONE FIRE has served over 1,800 victims. Through ONE FIRE, the Cherokee Nation has taken a leadership role in responding to domestic violence. By offering victim services to all residents regardless of tribal citizenship, the Nation affirms its governmental authority within its jurisdictional area.

Lessons
Serving all people—Native and non-Native, women and men—within their community helps governments bolster tribal sovereignty and achieve greater community wellness.

Wraparound, comprehensive services that cross departmental boundaries enable clients to access timely and targeted care while also decreasing costly redundancies.

Providing trauma-informed care that is both culturally relevant and wellness focused, gives clients tools that support longer-term recovery.