SASO is very pleased to announce that we will be able to host Elena Giacci on October 11 & 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southern Ute Multi-Purpose Facility in Ignacio. We will have strict protocols in place for COVID. Plan for temperature and symptom checks at the door and please wear a mask. The total capacity for this event will be 175 people.

Please share this save the date with your colleagues and communities. A formal flyer and invite will come soon. This will be a two-day event and will be an in-person event only, no ZOOM option as we want to be certain that if you are triggered or need support, we are there for you during this event as you are not alone in your healing journey.

Elena Giacci (Diné) is a Diné woman and an Anti-Sexual and Domestic violence training specialist and advocate for American Indian and Alaska Native people. Elena trains throughout North America on sexual and domestic violence issues and works extensively with many diverse communities.

She has over 30 years’ experience in the Violence Against Women field and has a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Elena was Chair of the Albuquerque Mayors Anti Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force where she and members of the task force created the first Albuquerque Police Department National Model for Limited English Policies. This has been followed up with development of training for the Albuquerque Police Department Cadets on understanding cultural diversity and bias issues. Giacci was co- investigator with Dr. Elizabeth Miller in the research study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion among Native American Women. She was the Faculty Leader on Native Project 2.0 in cooperation with a national organization.

Elena Giacci served as one of the Team Leaders for the National Indian Health Services Domestic Violence Clinic Demonstration Project, which worked with more than 100 Indian, Tribal and Urban health care facilities as well as domestic violence (DV) advocacy programs across the United States. Giacci has served as the Executive Director of the State Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and chair of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women and Children. She has served as President of the Board of Directors for Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico. Elena educates nonprofits in working with media on domestic and sexual violence topics. She has produced and directed the “Stop the Violence” TV show in Albuquerque, N.M. from 1999-2018.