Native Women Rising: Montana voices

Domestic violence is a serious crime. Previous research and clinical knowledge has provided ample evidence that demonstrates how domestic violence worsens over time and escalates in severity. Simply said if it is not stopped domestic violence can and will escalate to more serious criminal acts including acts of homicide within families. Missing and murdered indigenous women and children are often exposed to domestic or interpersonal familial violence prior to events that lead to their disappearance or death. This has been observed in cases like that of Jermain Charlo, who experienced at least 3 incidents of PFMA (Partner Family Member Assault) by her partner before she disappeared in 2018. It was also true for my younger sister who experiences domestic violence just 8 months before she was killed by a man in Billings. 

Unfortunately, Montana and many states have very minimal legal consequences for these crimes. In many states and communities it is viewed in highly stigmatized ways. This can be very subtle or be expressed very flagrantly. Famously, the late former Governor of Montana Judy Martz told a large audience in Butte, "My husband never battered me, but then again, I've never given him a reason to."

The victim blaming and shaming associated with domestic violence and child abuse are profoundly insidious and a destructive force within many communities. 

In this case example, we see this unfold. Over two years after an assault, Mr. Juneau is emboldened by his successful efforts to avoid prosecution or accountability for assault. He admits under sworn testimony to returning to the survivors' home (my home) with the intention of violating court orders with the intent of committing an additional assault. Mr. Juneau continues to victim blame and avoid accepting any accountability for his criminal actions. This stance and outcome will unfortunately be familiar to those experienced with such PFMA cases in Montana and beyond. 

Mr. Juneau was sentenced to 7 days in jail for his actions. He can also no longer own weapons or firearms. However, as he stated he views it all as just a "sliver in time" and expresses no genuine regret or remorse for the damage he has inflicted in many lives. 

This will wrap up season 1 in this podcast. However, the next season we will shift the focus of Native Women Rising on domains beyond survival and into positive transcendence following trauma. We will examine how research on resilience and cultural factors are helping communities thrive. This will include emerging efforts in art, literature, film, and professional practice aimed at elevating survivor voices and transforming pain into meaning. This will include interviews with scholars, artists, survivors, and community members working to end violence and prevent MMIW cases. 

Episode 3 includes testimony from both first responding police officers in this domestic violence case. Both officers were professional, knowledgeable, and committed to doing their jobs in respectful ways. While there is often grounds for concern when Indigenous people interact with law enforcement personnel in the US, in this case each of the officers were professional, honest, and fair. I am deeply grateful to the officers in this podcast footage. 

They likely saved my life that night. I will be eternally grateful to them. 

The image highlighted for this episode is an image of the hole Mr. Edmond Juneau punched into the wall of the bathroom in my house. It is mentioned frequently in the testimony, so I thought it was an appropriate image to include. I will replace, but for now I realize it is a symbol of a scar that I am still working to heal. 

American Indian women experience severe inequality in violence exposure and inequity in access to justice. This episode provides an introduction into a case study in domestic violence (known also as Partner Family Member Assault) in Montana. This episode includes opening statement from the Missoula prosecuting attorney who successfully brought about the prosecution of Edmond Lee Juneau for domestic violence. It includes the testimony of Dr. Annie Belcourt, survivor of this violence. This case took over 2 years to receive a jury trial due primarily to delay efforts made by the prosecuted individual responsible for this crime. 

As a professor, I study and write about abuse, trauma, suffering, and recovery within indigenous communities because it is in those exact dark spaces and places where hope lives. Hope lives in the decisions made each day by survivors and people everywhere to get up, feed themselves, feed their families, walk their dogs, teach their classes, write their papers, see their patients, create their art, sing their songs, and do their jobs. Hope lives in each of these decisions and moments.

Trigger warning: contains 911 audio footage and descriptions of domestic assaultive violence. Please contact help if you or a family member needs ways to find safety. Adult discretion advised. 

More info: https://indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/surviving-multiple-pandemics-in-native-american-communities