Healing Perpetrators: Reversing Native violence tied to impacts of colonization

This story is part of Crosswind News’ “Returning to Balance” Solutions Journalism Series. Using a solutions journalism approach, these stories highlight Indigenous led, culturally informed strategies to address challenges that disproportionately affect Native communities. "Returning to Balance" aims to inspire leaders, health organizations, and community members to consider new, community-grounded pathways for change. Our team spoke with people who are transforming their communities through culturally rooted solutions. At Crosswinds News, we believe Indigenous communities should not be defined by the problems they face. Instead, they should be recognized and supported for the positive change they create, honoring their culture and their wisdom.

These stories are made possible in part through the support of Native Oklahoma Insurance.

Written By: Rachael Schuit

(NATIONAL) Addressing domestic violence in Native communities isn’t just about helping the survivors, it’s about working to prevent further abuse. 

Read this story on Crosswinds News here.

Solving the problem also means understanding the impacts of colonization and forced assimilation that have contributed to violence across Indian Country. 

“I would say that we know that violence looks different in Native communities than it does in other communities as a result of colonization,” said Lauren Pitcher, the Urban Technical Assistance coordinator for Red-Wind Consulting. “We see this sort of power and control that's really sort of transgressed into violence over the years in our own communities. We weren't a violent people to begin with, that came with colonization.”

Gene Red Hail, the former Domestic Violence Coordinator for the Oneida Nation, has spent the last three decades working with offenders to address domestic violence. 

Red Hail (Oneida and Lakota) says his past as a former abuser helps him address other abusers in an effort to stop the cycle. 

"When you speak of something that men don't speak about, the violence they perpetrate in their relationship with the one they love, I say, come on now, this is the one you love,” said Red Hail. “To talk about it, that's the first step, admit (it), that's the second step.” 

He now serves as a consultant for Red Wind Consulting, a Native-owned and led organization that addresses domestic violence in a culturally-centered way. 

“They see it. It's passed down from generation to generation, but that's not okay,” said Elizabeth Rice, the National Training and Technical Assistance Director for Red-Wind Consulting. 

Breaking that cycle begins with healing the perpetrators. 

“I know the trauma, I know the expectations that are put on men to be men,” said Red Hail. “I know why men put that mask on, that hard look, cause that's their protection. I've been able to get through that mask with a lot of men and share our stories, because my story is almost the same as theirs.”

Red Hail calls his approach to working with perpetrators of domestic violence “Reclaiming Your Honor.”

"The road to healing is through us men, that we have to heal ourselves,” said Red Hail. 

During his two decades working for the Oneida Nation, Red Hail worked with men who had been referred to him by the court system after being convicted of Domestic Violence. 

Red Hail worked with the men in a 25-week Batterers Intervention style program, with Native values incorporated. The men also had the opportunity to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies as part of the program if they wanted to.

Red Hail says the program led to a low recidivism rate for men who completed it. 

60 percent of the men who went through the program have not been convicted of a domestic violence related crime again. 

And men in the program still approach him in the Green Bay area. 

“Whenever I see men in the community, (it’s hey Gene how are you doing, I'm doing good,” said Red Hail. “The first thing they're gonna tell me is they're doing good. How many men represent that, that men would come up to you and tell you that they're doing good. I really appreciate what you taught. That really makes a lot of sense.”

While Red Hail saw success and change in the men he worked with he says funding these types of programs can be challenging. 

“The reality in Indian Country, there’s a great need for men’s programming,” said Red Hail. “The only funding out there is through the Office of Violence Against Women.”

Through his work with men, Red Hail says he sees the men as relatives and strives to teach Native values they can carry with them, in hopes that the cycle of domestic violence in Indian Country will decrease. 

“I initially tell them we live with these values of respect,” said Red Hail. “We live with these values of humility and love and compassion. I say, the world they come from, those words mean you’re weak. But I’m trying to teach them these words mean strength and we can learn that from our women.”