Alamo Conference Tackles Abuse

By Nathalie Nance
For the Mountain Mail

In an Alamo community survey asking what topics people wanted to learn about, abuse and domestic violence were the most frequent answers. Consequently Alamo Behavioral Health arranged a three-day conference on the subject. It took place last week at the Wellness Center, and was well attended by both men and women.
Statistics indeed show a higher rate of violent behaviors among Native American populations, compared to non-native ones. For instance, 50 percent of native women can expect to be battered by their spouse or partner, and homicide is the third leading cause of death for Native American women.
During the conference, different kinds of abuse, ranging from verbal and emotional abuse to physical and sexual violence, were defined and explained. Power and control are most often the driving forces behind these behaviors.
In addition, on a cultural level, the historical trauma of the Native American peoples was discussed, as well as how the discrepancy between modern life and tradition many times may cause an identity crisis and lesser self respect. This is turn may increase problems with drugs and alcohol.
“The Alamo is less traditional than the big reservation, where I grew up,’’ one of the participants said.
Another issue that came up was the boarding schools, and the impact these had on generations of Native Americans. Children were sent away and didn’t see their families for many years. Consequently, they never learned how families work or how to be a parent. In addition, abuse was common at the boarding schools, which were modeled after English boarding schools, where bullying and abuse were tradition.
“There were mean ladies at the boarding schools,” one woman said.
“My uncles and parents never show emotions,” another said. “I don’t want my children to go through what I’ve been through, but I can make my family different.”
“There is always a choice,” social worker Matilda Billy said. “To report your loved one is hard, and many times the victim doesn’t want to tell, but it is important to say no. It is not OK to be abusive.”
Behavioral Health Coordinator Tammy Edinger hoped that the conference would help to raise the awareness of these issues. The participants concluded that to talk about it and to be honest can help to break the cycle.
“It starts with us. Things can be different,” she said.

Alamo Conference Tackles Abuse