POWER Act Presentation – December 14, 2021

The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and the West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association are pleased to jointly announce the Court’s 2021 POWER Act “lunch and learn” program. This year’s program will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. We are very excited to announce that the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has graciously agreed to host this year’s program at its Kewadin convention space in Sault Ste. Marie!

Several Michigan counties have reported an approximately 20% increase in domestic violence since the outset of the pandemic. Those incidents already disproportionately impact Native women, over 84% of whom will experience violence in their lifetimes. Our POWER Act training is a unique opportunity to learn from experts in domestic violence among Michigan’s Native American Tribes, with presenters from Uniting Three Fires Against Violence and others working with survivors on a daily basis.

This event will help you learn how to become part of the solution. Chief United States District Judge Robert Jonker will moderate a panel of experts. This year, we expect to hear from:

• Jocelyn Fabry, Chief Judge of the Sault Tribe’s Tribal Court, who will provide us with background on the various domestic violence and assault issues that are handled by the Tribal Court.
• Hali McKelvie, Community Outreach Specialist and Rachel Carr-Shunk, Executive Director of Uniting Three Fires Against Violence will give us insight from the perspective of both a survivor and her former advocate. This workshop will give participants insight into a personal story of abuse and survival, which after a decade led to a federal conviction. Participants will hear Hali’s story from the beginning of her abusive relationship, the incident resulting in a federal conviction, tribal child protective services involvement, and the aftermath. This workshop will be presented by the survivor and the survivor’s former advocate, and highlights the true impacts Native American survivors face and ways that communities and service providers can promote healing, safety, and justice. We are incredibly grateful that Hali has agreed to share her personal story with us.
• Elly Jordan of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence will provide you with service opportunities that would be of particular value to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The need is great and your pro bono service is desperately needed, so please learn how you can make a difference in survivors’ lives.

We hope that you can join us in person for this event at Kewadin Casino, 2186 Shunk Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Please contact Melissa Rabidoux at Melissa_Rabidoux@fd.org by Friday, December 3 if you plan to attend in person and if you would like to purchase lunch at the event.

If you are unable to participate in person, please join us by Zoom using the following link : REGISTER HERE FOR THE ZOOM