SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 7, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Restoring Ancestral Winds, a Native American coalition against violence, is asking people to remember the life of Claudia Benn, whose life was ended by Taberon Honie, scheduled for execution early Thursday morning at the Utah State Prison.
“Today we honor the life of Claudia Benn, a member of the Paiute tribe and bring the issue of the missing and murdered Indigenous relatives in Utah,” says Yolanda Francisco, Executive Director of Restoring Ancestral Winds Inc., in a released statement.
“Domestic violence and sexual assault are often a precursor to murder.
“Claudia should still be here to enjoy a life filled with joy and safety,” a statement from Restoring Ancestral Winds says. “She deserved to live in peace like all Utah citizens.”
Every human has the right to safety, Francisco’s statement says.
“Native American people including children who die and suffer at the hands of people who commit murder and sexual assault against children are no different. Restoring Ancestral Winds, a domestic violence and sexual assault tribal coalition in Utah, insist, never again do they wish to see another tribal member murdered or a Native person especially a child sexually assaulted.”
Honie was convicted of the 1998 murder and sexual assault of Benn, the mother of his former girlfriend.
That “left a devastating mark on her family and the Paiute community. While Honie is scheduled for execution, the impact of his actions will continue to resonate deeply with those who knew and loved Claudia. She was a beloved mother and grandmother and a beacon of strength and resilience in her community. Claudia’s precious grandchildren who witnessed the attack, still feel her loss. The emotional and psychological scars borne by her grandchildren are a painful reminder of the ongoing consequences of this tragic event.”
“Although Native Americans make up only 2% of the U.S. population, they experience the highest rate of child victimization, with 15.2 per 1,000 children affected. This statistic indicates that Native American children are seven times more likely to endure sexual abuse, neglect, or physical abuse. Additionally, Native American children are twice as likely as non-Hispanic White children to witness domestic violence in their homes and communities.
“Thus, violence against Native American women affects not just individuals or single generations but multiple generations. May the soul of our relative, Claudia Benn, forever rest in peace and may her grandchild continue to find healing.
“We say, ‘NEVER AGAIN!'”
The Restoring Ancestral Winds Inc. (RAWI) helpline is available to Native Americans experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault in Utah. The number is 1-833-NTV-HEAL (1-833-688-4325). The coalition’s website is at restoringawcoalition.org.
