Tewa Women United (TWU)

Indigenous Women United in Heart, Mind and Spirit

About us

Tewa Women United (TWU) started in 1989 as a support group for women from the Pueblos of the northern Rio Grande concerned with the traumatic effects of colonization, religious inquisition, and militarization leading to issues such as alcoholism, suicide, domestic/sexual violence and environmental violence. In the safe space we created, we transformed and empowered one another through critical analysis and by embracing and reaffirming our cultural identity. In 2001 we transitioned from an informal, all volunteer group to a non-profit organization.

TWU was incorporated for educational, social and benevolent purposes, specifically for the ending of all forms of violence against native women and girls, Mother Earth and to promote peace in New Mexico.

Our Vision
TWU believes in strengthening and re-strengthening beloved families and communities to end violence against women, girls, and Mother Earth.

Our Mission
The mission of TWU is to provide safe spaces of Indigenous women to uncover the power, strength, and skills they possess to become positive forces for transformative change in their families and communities.

Programs:
• Circle of Grandmothers (SaYain) is the nurturing breath that infuses and inspires the work of Tewa Women United. The Grandmothers is a circle of inter-tribal, multicultural women who are either grandmothers themselves or supportive elders.
• Environmental Health and Justice Program: We work with tribal, local, national, and international networks and coalitions to: Amplify the strengths of Indigenous women, their families, and land-based people of color to better protect our homelands from ecological harm and to grow beloved community; Facilitate reconnection with our everyday relationship to land, air, and water as sacred aspects of our collective wellbeing; Engage in local and International dialogue and activism on nuclear non-proliferation, human rights, and the rights of our Mother Earth, while integrating Tewa values and spirit-rooted environmental justice advocacy, policy change, and community education.
• Indigenous Women´s Health and Justice Program: This program encourages Pueblo women to become active participants in their healthcare through all stages of life and aims to revitalize and access traditional indigenous knowledge and practice in women´s health.
• Women´s Leadership & Economic Freedom Program: This program aims to strengthen, encourage and build upon women´s natural leadership and entrepreneurial ability in order to help Indigenous women fight the pervasive poverty in our communities. Poverty impacts our capacity to make healthy choices in matters of nutrition and other aspects of daily life.
• V.O.I.C.E.S. Program. V.O.I.C.E.S. (Valuing Our Integrity with Courage, Empowerment, and Support) is a culturally based response to sexual violence and other trauma related to sexual violence in the diverse communities located in Northern New Mexico. The V.O.I.C.E.S. Program through its two projects (Brave Voices Project and Spirit of Butterfly Project) offers advocacy, case management, referral resources, access to mental health counseling, access to holistic healing modalities, access to SANE exams, multi-disciplinary team development, coordination and facilitation, and peer support groups. V.O.I.C.E.S also offers trainings, community outreach and educational events, helping the helper sessions, and cultural competency/ sensitivity trainings.

Corrine Sanchez is the Executive Director of Tewa Women United (TWU).

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.