October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and one event in Flandreau will seek to bring community members awareness of the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes asks men to walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes to get communities to talk about and recognize violence against women.

The event in Flandreau will take place in Tuesday, October 10, beginning around 2:30 p.m. Participants will not walk a whole mile, but begin across the street from The Booster, to the bakery and around the block.

Anyone can participate, either by walking in heels, following behind or just watching. Roxanne Giangrande, coordinator at The Wholeness Center, said they hope anyone from young kids to grandparents will come.

The red high heels, 48 pairs owned by the tribe, come in sizes 11-16 and will be first come, first served for those interested in walking.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes came together through joint efforts of the tribe and The Wholeness Center.

Marsha Schlueter, the tribal advocate, works with a grant through the Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation initiative and as part of the grant has to bring an awareness event to town.

Following the walk, barbeques and refreshments will be served and retired tribal police chief Ken James will speak on the issues on domestic violence and sexual assault.

Frank Baird created Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in 2001, and what started as a small group of men walking around a park has grown into a worldwide movement.

In 2007, Baird formed Venture Humanity, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that develops peace, violence prevention and community projects. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a Venture Humanity, Inc. project.

For more information, Schlueter can be reached at 553-2105. To reach Giangrande or Cristelle Piswais at The Wholeness Center, call 997-3535. In case of emergency, call the 24-hour crisis line at 605-997-5594 or toll-free at 1-866-643-3379.