KINSHIP HEALS

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Check out our Healing Center ·

The Northeast Native Network
of Kinship and Healing

Creating spaces that are free from violence for Native people

Welcome and waneekesuq.

WE WILL JOURNEY TOGETHER.

There was a time when a group within our Wampanoag community was struggling. For months, I spent the majority of my days accompanying our people at various health providers.

It was the hardest time of my life. Nothing that I had ever experienced—including abuse and domestic violence—even came close to the pain of watching the suffering of the people I loved, had known since their births, and had helped to raise ...

Kinship Heals.

OUR CREATION STORY.

More than 12,000 years ago when magic was still in the lands, there was a man named Moshup who could turn himself into a giant. He is well known among the Algonquin tribes of the Northeast, and there are stories of him all along the coast.

Moshup had a life partner, what some today might describe as a wife, named Squant.

Each powerful in their own ways, Moshup and Squant complemented each other and were in balance ...

Learn more

Challenges

VIOLENCE IN
LIFETIME

Native American women experience violence in their lifetime

SEXUAL
VIOLENCE

Native American women experience
sexual violence

BY AN INTIMATE
PARTNER

American Indian and Alaska Native women experience violence by an intimate partner

BY NON-NATIVE
PERPETRATORS

Of the time these acts of violence are committed by non-native perpetrators

SHELTERS IN
THE U.S.

Native American domestic violence shelters in the U.S. to service 574 tribes

SHELTERS IN
MASSACHUSETTS

Native American domestic violence/sexual assault shelters in Massachusetts

NIGHTS
OF STAY

Nights is the average length of stay for Native women in a non-native shelter

UNMET
NEEDS

Native women victims report unmet needs at non-native service providers

First Light

Wampanoag people in the Northeast are known as the People of the First Light. Prior to colonization, domestic violence and sexual assault were not present in Native communities, as they are in today’s society.
Inside the wetu

We are a matrilineal tribe, where women raise their families among their female relatives, and the decisions of home life are under their authority. Today, Native women experience domestic violence and sexual assault at higher rates than any other race.
Outside the wetu

Nationwide, there are only 58 Native shelters to service 574 tribes, and none are located in Massachusetts. Studies show that culturally specific services are the most effective in supporting survivors.
Urban areas

While there are two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts with tribal housing, the majority of their tribal membership live off-reservation and in urban areas. Native people are only 1% of the state’s population, which may seem like a small number, but it represents more than 35,000 people.
Specialized support

Our approach will be to partner with existing non-Native domestic violence / sexual assault programs and supplement their services with our culturally specific services and expertise.
Martha’s Vineyard

The island is a vacation destination and home to many rich and famous. There is a huge wealth disparity between the indigenous population and the elite who use the island for vacations and second homes (60+% of the housing stock). Landlords also cash in on vacation rentals rather than contributing to residential housing stock. This has led to the current housing crisis the island is experiencing.
We need safe spaces to heal

In addition to the housing crisis there are no shelters on Martha’s Vineyard. Finding housing is nearly impossible for people trying to leave their abusers, especially when children are involved.
You can help

In addition to tradition crisis interventions, it is our vision to provide non-timed safe housing with wrap around supportive services to aid in the healing process, which will increase survivors’ success in achieving housing stability, economic security, and freedom from abuse. With your help and support we can build safe spaces for native people to heal, connect, and thrive as our ancestors have done before us.

Our services

STAR

Short term shelter, Transitional Assistance,
and Relocation

We will create safe spaces for our people.

SUN RISE

Services for Urban Natives that Respect Indigenous Sovereignty and Experiences

We will create allyships with non-native entities and build relationships with tribes and Native organizations to respond to the gaps in culturally relevant services.

RAIN SYSTEM

Red Alert
Indigenous Notification System

We will use our collective voices to increase visibility when a Native person goes missing, and use a coordinated response, as well as non-native systems, to keep our people safe.

CARE

Ceremony, Advocacy,
Resources, Referrals and Experience

We will inform and explain all options and support people in their choices.

FEAST

Food Equity and
Sovereignty Traditions

Caring for one another, we will provide a stable source for food, increase access to Indigenous foods, and grow Three Sisters Gardens to build health and strengthen relationships.

PEACE

Prevention, Education,
Awareness, and Community Engagement

We will use our culture to teach and create safe and healthy communities.

THE COAST

The Circle of Allies & Sovereign Tribes

We will rebuild the bonds of kinship we had with other tribes and create allyships with non-native entities to address domestic violence and sexual assault together.

Our Team