Be Part of ‘White Ribbon Week’ in Ravalli County

For 22 years, SAFE (Supporters of Abuse Free Environments) has been organizing a week of awareness of domestic violence. "White Ribbon Week" encourages everyone to wear a white ribbon to increase public notice of violence that occurs too often in homes throughout the country. The week (October 20-26) includes the Report to the Community from SAFE at Hamilton's City Hall.

This year's luncheon at 12 noon Friday, October 25, will focus on the missing and murdered indigenous women in the U.S. and Canada, including well-publicized cases in Western Montana. Keynote speaker will be Jean Bearcrane, Executive Director of Montana Native Women's Coalition. She has also been attorney-prosecutor for domestic violence and sex assault crimes. Marita Growing Thunder Fogarty of Save Our Sisters and filmmakers Ivy and Ivan McDonald will be talking about individual stories of missing and murdered indigenous women. The program also presents the local Courage Award, given to a person who has made a contribution to trying to stop domestic abuse. No RSVP is required to attend and for more information, call 363-2793. Nationally, this is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Information is available online.