October 12, 2012 –
MAYETTA: Another event that will call attention to ending domestic violence begins tonight when the Tribal Victim Services program begins its 24-hour art marathon called Splatters That Matter at 4:30 p.m. at the Bingo Hall (16281 Q Rd). During the event, that runs all night, kids and families can paint and create, listen to live music, and enjoy some refreshments. Healing Through Art exhibits will also be on display.
The purpose of the event is to heal through being creatively expressive. Tribal Victim Services Art Project Coordinator Kent Miller said, “There will be opportunities for both artists and non-artists to paint their message supporting the fight to stop both domestic violence and sexual assault in our community. We invite everyone to attend and hope they will stop by to participate in the project.”
The event is being promoted as a creative way to generate awareness about family violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October and will also highlight the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s commitment to ending violence in native communities.
Other domestic violence events are also being held on the common land throughout the month including the Walk a Mile in Their Mocs held last Saturday morning in Prairie Peoples Park. Below are some photographs taken at the event with special thanks to Jennifer Hale and the TVS staff for submitting the photos.
Walkers taking off during the Walk a Mile in Their Mocs event last Saturday morning in Prairie Peoples Park. Despite chilly temperatures over 90 people registered for the event in an effort of ending domestic violence.
(L to R) are Aven Mitchell, Isaac Hale, and Alek Mitchell who were at the event.
Alyssa “Kensekwe” Garcia and Allyah “Ke’ne’en” Garcia participated in the day’s activities. Alyssa is wearing one of the purple t-shirts that were given to registrants.
Kent Miller, Art Project Coordinator, traces a face painting on Kache Hale.
Mi-kes and Noninwaquah Potts pose for the camera. The Walk a Mile in Their Mocs event has been a family event for the past five years.
Setting up the registration table before the walk. The Tribal Victim Services program is housed in the Social Services Department and was formerly known as the Tribal Victims Assistance Program. That program was originally housed in the Tribal Police Department but recently merged with the Family Violence Prevention Program in Social Services. In addition to educational programs and a crisis hotline service, several healing through art programs are offered including an art studio for adults, families and children that are held in the Old Tribal Court Building.