In this Jan. 19, 2019 photo, Nancy Barnes attends with Native women holding up red dresses to symbolize missing and murdered indigenous women during the Women’s March on Juneau in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

In this Jan. 19, 2019 photo, Nancy Barnes attends with Native women holding up red dresses to symbolize missing and murdered indigenous women during the Women’s March on Juneau in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Local violence prevention coalition has a new Native name

It’s a Tlingit name.

The organization formerly known as Juneau Violence Prevention Coalition has a new name.

The coalition will now be known as the Haa tóoch lichéesh Coalition, which is a Tlingit-language name and translates to “we believe it is possible,” according to a press release from the organization.

[Organizations helping Juneau’s vulnerable population are getting a boost]

The release states the coalition, which was formed in 2003 and overseen by Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies in partnership with community leaders and volunteers, is in the process of “decolonizing its practices” and launching the newly named effort as the next stage of its project.

[Surviving abuse: Rally raises awareness of child abuse, neglect]

The coalition is guided by Della Cheney, elder and weaver, according to the release. It is co-chaired by Kolene E. James, DaxKilatch, coordinator of the Native and Rural Student Center at the University of Alaska Southeast, and Ati Nasiah, violence prevention Director for Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE).

The coalition responds to social justice issues that arise within the community and plans prevention efforts to transform individual, institutional and systemic inequities, according to the release.


• This is a Juneau Empire report.


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