Community members “Walk for Honor. Walk for Justice” in the Pauma Valley
Community members “Walk for Honor. Walk for Justice” in the Pauma Valley
Written by Terria Smith
The bright sun beamed on the Pauma Band of Luiseno Indian Reservation for more than a hundred beautiful women, men and children who took a 3.5 mile trek across the village to “Walk for Honor. Walk for Justice.”
The 7th Annual Inter-Tribal Sexual Assault Awareness Walk hosted by Avellaka took place Sunday, April 17. The Avellaka program was established in 2009, and is “dedicated to educating and organizing for social change upholding the Tribe’s authority as a sovereign Indian nation to protect its women citizens and create the laws, policies, protocols, and advocacy services addressing violence against Native women crimes on the La Jolla Reservation.” This year’s walk was also co-hosted by the Pauma-Rincon Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
Throughout the years, this walk has taken place on different reservations including the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.
Participants this time around gathered at the Casino Pauma Tent Pavilion. Each walker was given a blue t-shirt at the beginning of the event and a tote bag at the conclusion. Women from the La Jolla Women’s Advisory Committee along with others wore purple (for domestic violence awareness) and turquoise (for sexual assault awareness) shawls. The day’s event opened with addresses from Avellaka’s program director Wendy Schlater (La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians), elder and former Pauma tribal chairman Ben Magante, as well as Violence Against Women Act advocate Juana Majel-Dixon (Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians).
Schlater reminded the crowd that statistically one in every three women are sexually assaulted in tribal communities. While one in 20 men also experience assault.
Tribal members of various reservations including the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians carried their tribal flags along the walk. Security was provided by the Rez Riders biker club.
Next year’s walk is set to take place on the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians Reservation, which is also in the Pauma Valley.
