Pathfinder Center

Hello from Pathfinder Center!

 

Pathfinder has been very busy in 2019 providing services to victims of human trafficking and educating communities and organizations about sex trafficking.

 

Below are the activities that we provided and participated in.

 

January

• Pathfinder Center set up an information booth at the State Capitol on Children’s Day. Governor Kristi Noem stopped by the booth and chatted with the staff for a few minutes and a photo was taken with Governor Noem.

• January 25th Pathfinder staff participated in Freedom’s Journey Art Expo and Panel presentation. Many of the survivors either made jewelry or paintings to sell for this event. The art expo and panel presentation were very successful and provided information on sex trafficking and answered many of the participants questions from the audience.

 

March

• March 11th and 23rd we hosted a training for 49 Crow Creek Tribal Employees on human trafficking. A participant said, “I learned that my teenager is at high risk. How easy young girls can be trapped”

• March 18 and 19 staff did a presentation for 53 Lode Star Casino Employees on human trafficking. The training was a good eye opener for the employees and many questions were asked. Participants said, “Human trafficking is going on our rez and we need to get involved. We've gained more knowledge and education on this subject.”

 

April

• April 4th staff did a presentation for the 50th Biennial State Convention in Oacoma, SD.

• April 9th in Lower Brule, South Dakota- “Protecting Our Homelands Against Human Trafficking Community Response”. Pathfinder worked in collaboration with Rosa Salamanca, Community Relations Service from Denver Colorado. Presenters were Lynette Weiss, FBI Victim Specialist, Kevin Koliner, Assistant US Attorney, Crow Creek and Lower Brule Law Enforcement, Pathfinder Center, Rosa Salamanca, and Community Relations Service.

• April 30th information booth at 7th Annual CRCAIH Summit in Sioux Falls.

 

May

• May 5th – Lisa Heth provided information on Pathfinder Center to Oahe Presbyterian Church in Pierre, SD to church congregation. Quotes from congregation “You and Pathfinder Center fill a vital need. We were so impressed with your work and were hoping to help your calling.”

• May 7th and 8th  – Staff participated in training in Chamberlain, SD on “Working with Victims of Human Trafficking” sponsored by SD Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, Pathfinder Center, Call to Freedom and Freedom’s Journey.

 

June

• June 5th – Healing Movement on Cheyenne River. Information Booth and Kendall Cadwell spoke on Pathfinder Center and gave information on Human Trafficking.

• June 18 and 19 – Pathfinder staff did a community presentation at Lower Brule Golden Buffalo Casino conference room. There was a total of 67 community members that attended.

• June 28 to 30th – Pathfinder Center information booth in Ft. Pierre, SD for the Tour of Champions Indian Relay Races.

 

July

• July 23 and 24 – Human Trafficking Awareness Presentation Lower Brule Tribal Conference room.  45 community participants attended.

 

August

• August 10 and 11th – Pathfinder Center Awareness Booth at Lower Brule Reservation Annual Wacipi.

• August 18 – Pathfinder Center Awareness Booth at Crow Creek Annual Wacipi.

 

September

• September 19 – Pathfinder Center sponsored a training in Lower Brule for first responders on Narcan training and how to use Narcan. Narcan is used to help people who overdose on drugs.

• September 10th – Pathfinder Center presentation on Human Trafficking Conference for Little Traverse Bay of Odawa Indian Tribe, Petoskey, Michigan Human Trafficking Conference.

• September 30 – Pathfinder staff was interviewed by Crystal Owen on KXSW 89.8FM

 

October

• October 1-3, Information and Awareness Booth and Human Trafficking presentation “Making an Impact throughout Indian Country” sponsored by Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and BIA Office of Justice Services. Over 200 people in attendance.

• October 9th – Lisa Heth was invited to attend “Reclaiming Our Native Communities” Round Table in Rapid City, SD hosted by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Inc. and sponsored by US Department of the Interior. Discussions were held on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Human Trafficking Prevention and Response and other crimes in Indian Country.

• October 9th – Presentation on Human Trafficking and Teen Dating Violence at Groton, SD and sponsored by Groton Churches. Groton churches made this available for teens to attend.

• October 16 – Pathfinder Center did a presentation for Fort Thompson Inter Agency.

 

November

• November 5th – Kendall and Lisa attended Freedom Network Training Institute in Sioux Falls, SD. Addressing the Local Needs of Survivors of Human Trafficking.

• November 13th - Kendall and Lisa attended the SD Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence annual meeting and presented information on Pathfinder Center and services that are offered to sex trafficking victims.

• November 21st PBS broadcasted a live show on Human Trafficking in SD. Speakers were Lisa Heth, Pathfinder, Norma Renden, Winyan Wicayuonihan Oyanke, Ron Parsons, SD US Attorney. Becky Rassmussen, Call to Freedom.

 

December

• December 19 to 21st Pathfinder Center information and awareness booth at Lakota Nation Invitational Sports Activities in Rapid City, SD.

 

Highlights

• ICF, Inc, LLC has been partnering with Pathfinder Center since last year. ICF will be reviewing data collection protocol, assisting with data collection activities and virtual strategic planning session and will review final reports and deliverables. An on-site visit and tour took place October 9th and 10 at Pathfinder Center. Partnering with ICF will help Pathfinder Center to better serve victims of human trafficking and offer best practices to other providers.

• Pathfinder participated in a video called “Reach-To End Sex Trafficking in Native Communities”. which was produced by Watertown Initiative to Prevent Sex Trafficking. The video came out about earlier this year.

 

Pathfinder Center would like to thank all the donors and volunteers for their contributions for survivors and helping us to meet their urgent needs. However, Pathfinder Center is still in need of donations and volunteers. If anyone is interested in volunteering at the Pathfinder Center you can send an email to wiconi@midstatesd.net.

 

Pathfinder staff is available to do presentations or speak on sex trafficking in your community, organization, group or church. Pathfinder does charge a fee that is reasonable and goes back into the work we do.

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Thank you and bless you!

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Lisa Heth

Executive Director