The DOVE Program came into existence in 2003 when the Women Alive (Equay BeMah De Zee Win) Crisis Center closed down. The White Earth Reservation Tribal Council, Human Services Division realized there was a great need for these services for women and families on the White Earth Reservation because of the closing of the Women Alive Crisis Center.

Ben Bement, Marshall Brown and Loretta Gjerde were the instigators for funding the programming. Ben worked with the state department in securing funds for White Earth and collaborated with the State and Lakes Crisis and Resource Center in Detroit Lakes for funding for safe-housing domestic violence victims on the White Earth Reservation (specifically Mahnomen County). Loretta and Ben worked on the naming for the programming and thus came up with Down on Violence Everyday – DOVE (a symbol of peace). Mary Farley produced the first logo artwork and layout for the DOVE Program and brochures.

Prior to any funded services or programs, Ivy Ailport-Norcross’s grassroots work to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault paved a path for those who came after her. Ivy worked out of cardboard boxes, going door to door providing support to those in need with very limited resources. Ivy’s outreach was the first of its kind on the White Earth Reservation. Ivy later worked as an Advocate for the Omiimii Wadiswan Equay Shelter DOVE Program. Ivy, sadly, passed away June 9, 2012. Ivy’s legacy, memory and passion to support survivors lives on.

The previous Management Team: Tanya Vold, Jodie Sunderland and Sonia Christensen began with the DOVE Program in 2005 and supported the program in its growth from just a few staff working out of ever changing offices to transitioning every aspect of the program to both shelter based and community based programming which includes everything it is today.

The current Management Team: Valerie Yost, Heather Haverkamp, Andrea Carrier and Lalania Walker have been working collaboratively to bring many aspects of the programs up to date since 2021. This includes a newly designed logo created by White Earth Band member, Karen Jones, of the Pine Point community, redecorating the shelter area and lobby, updating policies and procedures to align with grant requirements and best practices, and improving relationships with other programs and agencies. DOVE has a future goal of fully implementing it's first electronic records system by 2026. 

DOVE has a beautiful shelter; amazing staff including 24/7 Shelter Adovcates; aTribal Safe Harbor Program for Sexually Exploited Youth; Sexual Assault Victim Advocates; Community Advocates; and a Tribal Child Advocacy Center.