In America, indigenous women are twice as likely than other racial groups to be the victims of sexual assault, violence and murder. These staggering statistics shed light on a chronic issue facing Native women today. By peering deeper into this systemic issue, we can see its embeddedness in historical trauma, colonialism, and environmental degradation.
In this program, we’ll speak with a local community member and advocate, Siobhan Marks (lineal descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), along with front-line representatives from Native organizations who are addressing the needs of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) every day, right here in Milwaukee. Through their combined work, they are raising awareness, educating, treating victims and their families, and resisting the MMIR trend that has multi-faceted dimensions that are catastrophic for both Native and non-Native communities.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 2023
TIME: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
LOCATION: Jewish Museum Milwaukee
COST: Museum Members $5 | Nonmembers $10
Addon $5 to a Nonmember ticket to visit Jewish Museum Milwaukee and experience Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. the night of the program. Members are welcome to visit for free!
Boozhoo! Zeegwun Noodinese nindizhinikaaz, Migizi n’dodeym. Odaawaa Zaaga’iganiing Ojibwe Anishinaabekwe n’dow. Menominii Zaaga’iganiing n’donjiba. Omashkiigooni’daw. Niizho Mideo.
Greetings, my Anishinaabe name means the Warm Breeze of Spring. I am Eagle Clan and a lineal descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (LCO) from my mother’s side. I also have French, Irish, English, and Lithuanian ancestry. My maternal grandmothers were born in Rice Lake, LCO, and Flambeau; my mother and I were born in Chippewa Falls. I am a second-degree Midewiwin.
As the Communications & Marketing Director, my role is to ensure that we are the tellers of our own school’s story and that ICS communications, image, and brand reflect our school’s mission.
Because the revitalization of Native languages and cultures are the heart of our school, we feature them in our school’s branding and communications. We also work to improve the flow of information, celebrate our students and staff, keep our families informed, and connect with the community. Getting to know our students and families, and mentoring the ICS Exclusive News Team are the best parts of my job!
I am an experienced branding, design, and marketing communications professional. I hold an Associate Degree in Commercial Art from MATC and studied at Carrol University (BA Communications) and the University of Chicago-School of Business. I serve on the Boards of two Native organizations: the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center and Spotted Eagle, Inc.
We have two children and four step-children, of which three attended ICS. Standing up for our water, culture and people, reclaiming the original dress of our grandmothers, attending Ceremonies, pow wows, and learning the Ojibwe language are all important to me. We call Muskego “home,” where I live with my partner Mark, my sister Tina, and a Chihuahua named Scooter.