Welcome - White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc

Welcome

The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. was initially founded in 1977 as a non-profit organization, and in 1980 our organization became the first women's shelter on an Indian Reservation in the United States.

Welcome

WBCWS provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The primary purpose of WBCWS has always been to offer safe shelter to victims of violent crimes on the Rosebud.

Welcome

The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide shelter and advocacy for individuals who have been victimized by violence.

As the first shelter on an Indian Reservation in the United States, founded in 1977, the WBCWS has been working to eradicate domestic violence and sexual assault, and to ensure the provision of effective and appropriate services to victims of these violent crimes through community outreach, education, training, technical assistance and policy development.

The WBCWS has taken the lead across Indian country in working collaboratively with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, RST Police Department, Tribal Court, Prosecutor’s office and Indian Health Services to increase victim safety and perpetrator accountability. The WBCWS was crucial in the development of SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) and SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), training and protocol, to better assist the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. As a leader in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault, the WBCWS continues to provide training for Tribal Judges, Prosecutors, Public Defenders and other court personnel.

As the needs of victims have changed over the years, the WBCWS has grown and adapted to meet the needs of those who utilize our services. As we move past the year 2012, our methods have branched out to helping men and young men improve their relationships with women and young women. We are excited about a recent collaboration with the Native American Advocacy Program to provide summer camps for the youth, and thrilled to announce the launching of our ‘Coaching Boys into Men Program for the 2012/2013 school year.

The WBCWS invites you to browse our website to witness our work, our programs and ultimately our conviction to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

Events

Youtube

Blog

New RST Jail to Aid in Conviction and Rehabilitation of DV/SA Perpetrators (12/7/2012)

Contact

Phone: 605-856-2317
Fax: 605-856-2494

What We Are What We Do Find Help

Featured Project

Engaging Men – With over 30 years of experience in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault, the WBCWS learned long ago the importance of engaging men. Our engaging men programs revolve around education, mentoring and outreach projects that translate to involvement in community organized arts, drama, sports and traditional teachings. The engaging men programs embrace men as an intricate part of the solution to end violence against women.

Youth Education – The WBCWS shares its knowledge as an integral part of the curriculum at local schools regarding teen dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault to communities in south central South Dakota. WBCWS Project Coordinator for Engaging Men, Sunrise Black Bull and Education and Prevention Director Summer Lunderman visit with students at Todd County schools, St. Francis Indian School, White River school and Little Wound high school.

Youth Camps: In the summer of 2012, the WBCWS worked collaboratively with the Native American Advocacy Program of Winner, South Dakota to provide camps for youth that revolve around traditional values within a safe and friendly environment. The camps provided storytelling opportunities, equine therapy and traditional singing and prayer. In an August venture, the WBCWS took four Rosebud youth to a Lacrosse/Shinny camp in eastern South Dakota. All told, hundreds of youth every year, gain insight into their traditional selves through camps and activities offered by the WBCWS.

Featured Service

Shelter – As the first shelter on an Indian reservation in the United States, the WBCWS has been providing sanctuary for victims of violence for 35 years. Of course our primary objective with a physical shelter is giving women and children sanctuary from violence, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. Our shelter residents have access to a community kitchen; children’s play room and a newly renovated playground with slides and a basketball court.

Sexual Assault Advocacy Services – The WBCWS promises an advocate will be on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Our advocates provide support to victims and families from the time they arrive in the emergency room, and at any time throughout their lives. Our advocates ensure a proper change of clothes, help victims understand safety plans and legal processes and provide transportation to any current and or future medical appointments.

Featured Gallery

Outreach and Education – The WBCWS continues to make its presence known in south central South Dakota and in particular the Rosebud Reservation. In April, we put teal ribbons on emergency response vehicles and out literature and pamphlets were shared at every opportunity. WBCWS employees Summer Lunderman and Sunrise Black Bull continue to share the word about Teen Dating Violence and stalking to school children in Todd, Mellette, Tripp and now Shannon Counties.

Youth activities – Basketball is king on the Rosebud Reservation, and the WBCWS is sure to include the activity as often as possible when planning youth activities. Dozens of teams showed up for the Youth Appreciation Day, and dozens more crowded the pavement during our July, Block Party. A recent partnership with the Native American Advocacy Program in Winner, S.D. has created more opportunities for the youth to learn about their culture in a safe environment.

On the News – WBCWS Director Nichole Witt made national headlines when she spoke in front of a United Nations panel, who was interested in hearing about the struggles of Native American women in the United States. Witt also made a trip to San Francisco where she met former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and baseball legends Joe Torre and Willie Mays. Pelosi, Torre and Mays, along with Witt, were in California to hear more about the, Coaching Boys into Men, project.