KayCee Martinez

Kaycee Martinez, Northern Cheyenne Tribal member, mom of four, auntie to many, and leader of the Family Spirit Program at the Boys and Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne nation talks about her work to support youth and families and their basic needs. Many families do not have access to reliable transportation, phones, housing, or food. These same families struggle at times with keeping their circle sacred. She reflects on the gaps that she sees and what must be done to prevent PSB. Childcare providers on the reservation do not have any policies or guidelines, they need video cameras, background checks, and education. At the same time, parents need to know the signs of sexual abuse, what to watch for, and what to do if they suspect PSB or child sexual abuse. There are also traditional roles and understanding how to talk about sexual development and reproductive organs. Some parents and families are not comfortable, and more than half of the parents Kaycee works with cannot read or write. Kaycee has been involved in the Restoring the Sacred Circle toolkit and resource for several years, she thinks back to when she first learned about this resource, it was the first time she heard of PSB. Today she is much more vocal about PSB, she wants resources and healing from toxic and intergenerational trauma. She reminds us that culture is a foundational part of prevention and restoring the sacred circle.