Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Community members and advocates from Native communities across the state and country wrapped up a three-day conference on ending sexual violence Thursday. 

The “Restoring the Sacred Trails of Our Grandmothers Conference” is hosted annually by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition. 

Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the coalition, said this year's event comes at a particularly difficult time with funding cuts and heightened need. 

It also takes place just as an audit into the police response and investigation of 

 was released. Lussier was an Indigenous woman who was found dead in her home in 2024. Police reports show Lussier had experienced intimate partner violence. 

 of the Minneapolis Police Department in its handling of Lussier’s case as well as the shooting of Davis Moturi, who was shot by a neighbor. 

Matthews shared more about the gathering and her reaction to the findings of the report with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on 

We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.

Shows

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Native News

Host

Author

Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, says this year’s conference is a chance to be in community and learn from each other.

Community members and advocates from Native communities across the state and country wrapped up a three-day conference on ending sexual violence Thursday. The “Restoring the Sacred Trails of Our Grandmothers Conference” is hosted annually by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition. Nicole Matthews, chief executive officer of the coalition, said this year's event comes at a particularly difficult time with funding cuts and heightened need. It also takes place just as an audit into the police response and investigation of Allison Lussier was released. Matthews shared more about the gathering and her reaction to the findings of the report with Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

Native community gathers for annual conference on sexual assault amid cuts and turmoil

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox