Rising Together

A Culturally Centered Approach
To Addressing Violence in AIAN Communities
Through Hope, Healing, and Health

Our Roots

Red Women Rising

Rising Together grows from the powerful work of CCUIH’s Red Women Rising program (RWR), which put a spotlight on the realities Urban Indian women face with domestic violence and worked to improve their access to culturally relevant services. Through RWR, CCUIH created the Red Woman Rising Best Practices Guide for Urban Indian Health Organizations, collaborated with the Injunuity Project on an animated vignette, built a Digital Stories Gallery, and developed informational resources to connect survivors with support.

From RWR to Rising Together

But something was still missing. RWR focused primarily on the voices and needs of Urban Indian women, which was an essential step, but violence in our communities touches everyone: women, youth, Two-Spirit relatives, men, families and communities as a whole. The gaps in awareness, resources, and culturally grounded responses extended beyond domestic violence into intimate partner violence, family violence, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).

Where We're Growing

Rising Together answers that call; This next chapter expands the scope, addressing all forms of violence impacting our Native communities in urban areas across California. We recognize that violence is not just an individual crisis; it is a public health issue that affects our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. The impacts of violence ripple through families and communities, contributing to trauma, health inequities, and barriers to healing.

While we do not provide direct services, we support Urban Indian Health Organizations by strengthening them with tools, training, and resources to respond effectively, support survivors, and promote healing. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, Rising Together works to close service gaps, build safety, and foster a future where our communities can heal together.

our work

Materials and Tools

Coming Soon!

Recognizing Trauma Brochure

Honoring the Wisdom of the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Violence does not just harm the body—it touches every part of who we are: our emotions, our thinking, our connection to spirit, and our relationships with others. In many of our Native communities, we carry deep wisdom about how healing can happen when we honor the full self and reconnect with the medicines of culture, kinship, ceremony, and tradition.

This brochure is here to help you recognize the many ways violence may show up in the body, mind, and spirit. These symptoms are not weaknesses—they are messages. Our bodies and spirits are trying to speak, asking for care, for connection, for healing.

Together We Stand Strong Booklet

A Community Resource Guide to Supporting A Relative in an Abusive Relationship

This booklet is a tool to guide you through the difficult journey of supporting a loved one who may be experiencing Interpersonal Violence (IPV) or a relationship where they may feel unsafe. It offers hands-on steps and can help you to support your loved one. This booklet provides specifics on how to offer help where it may be needed. Whether you are a family member, friend, or community member, this guide is meant to empower you with the knowledge, compassion, and understanding needed to offer support.

Healthy Relationships Zine

The Healthy Relationships Zine was created as part of the Redline project, created to support and uplift our communities in building safe and healthy connections.

To request materials, please reach out to Michelle Sanchez-Higginbotham at michelle@ccuih.org

Resources

Need assistance finding a resource that’s right for you? Reach out to our CalHOPE Redline to get connected to local, state, and nation-wide resources.