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NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN’S MENTOR PROJECT
The North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services (NDCAWS)
and the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) have
collaborated on the Native American Women’s Mentor
Project, a pilot project available for Native American
women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault. The pilot project will be in effect for a
period of one year, and a future goal of the mentor
project is to develop and implement similar culturally
relevant services across the state of North Dakota.
The Native American Women’s Mentor Project is available
for Native American women receiving AARC services either
as a resident of the Pam’s House Shelter Program or New
Awakenings, a transitional housing program. The Mentor
Project enables Native American women to gain support,
guidance, and encouragement from other Native American
women. NDCAWS and AARC recognize that oftentimes it is
crucial for Native American women to gain support and be
in the presence of other Native American women during
times of crisis and transition in their lives.
MENTORS
A mentor is a trusted and significant individual who
provides support, guidance, and encouragement to another
individual or mentee. Mentors for this project are
genuinely interested in and committed to supporting
Native American women.
The mentors are Native American women volunteers
representative of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and
Nations. The mentors are knowledgeable regarding
domestic violence/sexual assault and the issues
prevalent in Native communities.
MENTORSHIP
For Native American women receiving AARC services,
participation in the mentor project is voluntary and
women may access the project throughout the duration of
their stay at either the Pam’s House Shelter Program or
the New Awakenings Transitional Housing Program.
Mentoring is a process by which women develop a
relationship with another individual, someone who is
outside their immediate circle of family and friends and
has an interest in and commitment to being supportive.
During the course of the mentoring relationship, a
mentor may have different roles such as listener,
supporter, role model, friend or nurturer. The mentors
are only available as a support network for Native
American women and will not be involved in advocacy or
crisis intervention.
The mentor project is very informal, and women are
provided the opportunity to select their own mentor.
Mentors and mentees will mutually agree on the protocols
(i.e., frequency, location, time of meetings) as well as
the length of their mentoring relationship. The
mentoring relationship is based upon mutual respect and
trust, and the relationship consists of one-to-one
interactions.
PROJECT BENEFITS
Project participants will experience benefits that
are unique to their personal experiences. The following
are potential benefits for both mentors and mentees as a
result of participating in the project:
Mentors
• Opportunities to share experiences and wisdom.
• Enhanced leadership skills.
• Enhanced self-esteem.
• Public recognition.
• Network with other professionals and community
resources.
• Contributing to the Native American community.
• Scholarships to attend trainings/workshops sponsored
by NDCAWS and AARC.
Mentees
• Receiving peer support, guidance, and encouragement.
• Developing an expanded support system.
• Developing a connection to the Bismarck-Mandan
community.
• Enhanced self-esteem.
• Developing leadership skills.
• Gaining a trusted confidante.
• Increased awareness of resources available in the
Bismarck-Mandan community and Native communities.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The eligibility requirements for both mentors and
mentees are minimal, and such requirements are as
follows:
Mentors
• Native American.
• Submit a completed volunteer application.
• Submit three references.
• Submit brief profile.
• Receive project orientation.
• Must have not received the services of AARC within the
past year.
Mentees
• Native American.
• Current resident of either the Pam’s House Shelter
Program or New Awakenings, a transitional housing
program.
Any persons interested in participating in the Native
American Women’s Mentor Project as a mentor or needing
additional information may contact Camille Naslund,
NDCAWS Native American Liaison and Special Populations
Coordinator at (701) 255-6240 or [Email]
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