Alana M. Babineau, Grant Management Specialist, Lac Courte Oreilles Child Support Program
In September 2022, OCSS awarded Section 1115 grants for the Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) demonstration to child support programs in 12 states and 1 tribe to support domestic violence survivors who need child support services but are unable to access them. This article is part of a series that features awardees’ efforts to make child support easier to access for domestic violence survivors. For more information, email michael.hayes@acf.hhs.gov or michelle.jadczak@acf.hhs.gov.
Our tribal child support program created the Gaawiin Geyaabi project—which means “no more”—to end domestic violence and promote community-wide healing among the people of Odaawaa-Zaaga'iganiing, the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
In Sawyer County, which surrounds our tribal lands, Native Americans account for about 19% of the population but 42% of the victims of domestic violence and 45% of the suspects. To address this overrepresentation, we’re drawing on the collective insight and practical experience of local partners and people with lived experience of domestic violence and the historical trauma Native Americans have endured. Together, we’re working to create policies, procedures, and program services that are comprehensive, effective, and culturally relevant.
We believe we can work together to create a safe, healthy, and supportive community for all.
To represent this important project, we turned to tribal member Myles Standingcloud to design the logo. We worked with Myles to make sure the design captured our mission to raise awareness, prevent domestic violence, and promote community healing. Myles delivered a beautiful and powerful logo that embodies our hope for a violence-free community. The design incorporates purple, recognized worldwide as the color for domestic violence prevention. It’s a reminder that we need to work together to prevent this kind of violence and create a safe and supportive community for everyone. There is a hand in the design that conveys the fundamental idea of Gaawiin Geyaabi, or "no more" in Ojibwemowin. The design also includes a dreamcatcher—a traditional Ojibwe symbol that represents community healing and encourages people of our community to dream of a brighter future free of violence.
This logo is a great start to our program and powerfully conveys our mission to tribal members. Many thanks to Myles for designing the logo. We’re proud to work with such a talented and dedicated member of our tribe. Let’s all unite and say “Gaawiin Geyaabi” to domestic violence in our communities.
To learn more, email alana.babineau@lco-nsn.gov.