Emily Edenshaw said her experiences with domestic violence aren’t a shame, they’re motivating fuel that helped lead to a new summit.
Edenshaw, director of business and economic development for the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, is the organizer of a domestic violence summit scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.
“The reason I was really motivated to do this is because this is a topic that’s really near and dear to my heart as a survivor,” Edenshaw said in a phone interview.
Like 59 percent of adult women in Alaska, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, she has experienced domestic violence in the past. So have at least the past two generations of her family, Edenshaw said. It’s Edenshaw’s hope that events like the free and public summit can help foster connections, inspiration and healing as well as deter future violence.
“I’m using this to say enough is enough,” Edenshaw said. “I’m breaking the cycle within my own family. I know that the first step to that is having that conversation.”
“It’s a hard conversation to have,” she added. “But we want to bring it forward. We know if we aren’t willing to do it, who’s going to be willing to do it?”
Edenshaw said the summit, which coincides with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, is something that’s been in the works for almost two years, and she is glad domestic violence awareness is a cause that has Tlingit & Haida’s support.
“As Native people, we know what’s best for our communities,” she said. “The solutions for domestic violence exist within the communities we serve. We need to be the ones to bring this to the forefront of everyone’s mind. It really harms our community.”
Scheduled speakers and panelists include Tlingit & Haida Chief Justice Michelle Demmert, Deborah Parker, Tami Truett, Simon Friday, Will Kronick, Justin McDonald, Tlingit & Haida President Richard Chalyee Éesh Peterson, Patricia Alexander, members of the indigenous sketch comedy troupe the 1491s and more.
In addition to the summit, two other events are planned for Friday— the second annual Celebrate Survivors event and a performance by the 1491s.
Members of the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group perform during last year’s Celebrate Survivors gathering. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Celebrate Survivors is free, and starts after the close of the summit around 5 p.m. and will wrap up around 7 p.m. It’s organized by Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE), which partnered with Tlingit & Haida for the day’s events. Like the summit, it takes place at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.
[Community gathers to celebrate survivors]
AWARE Executive Director Mandy Cole said the goal for the event is a family-oriented, supportive environment that allows people to share their experiences.
“We really want a place where survivors can feel empowered and proud of their journey,” Cole said. “We hold the Celebrate Survivors event to sort of flip the script.”
At 7 p.m. at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, the 1491s will perform. Tickets for the performance cost $20 and are available online through eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the event will go toward domestic- and sexual violence supports in Southeast Alaska.
Know & Go
What: Domestic Violence Summit, Celebrate Survivors and a comedy fundraiser.
When: The summit is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. It will be followed by a Celebrate Survivors. A performance by the 1491s is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Where: Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, 320 W. Willoughby Ave.
Admission: The summit and celebrate survivors event are free. Admission for the comedy performance costs $20.
Need someone to talk to?
The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 800-656-4673, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233, and AWARE can be reached at 586-1090.
• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.
