NEWS
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AKNWRC Releases Resource Book — Alaska Native Women: Ending the Violence, Reclaiming a Sacred StatusNovember 27, 2023The AKNWRC resource book is the first written text written from the perspective of Alaska Natives to explain the violence against our women due to the legal vulnerabilities forced upon Alaska Indigenous Nations. The book provides an Alaska Native view of domestic violence beyond individual acts of violence. It provides the context of why individual violence occurs at the disproportionate rates committed against Alaska Native women and continues generation after generation since contact. The book provides a path forward to support and heal from the violence by understanding how the current crisis of violence grew over time due to systemic… -
November 15, 2023The Not Invisible Act Commission released its final report and recommendations to the federal government on Nov. 1st. Responses to those recommendations are due within 90 calendar days. You can find the full report below. “It was an honor to serve on the NIA Commission with so many amazing people. We were tasked with the horrendous and enormous task to identify steps needed to intervene and stop the continuing crisis of Missing and Murdered and Trafficked people. We were honored to hear testimony from so many family members and survivors. We were moved by their courage in telling strangers about their… -
May 26, 2023FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2023 Press Contact: Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director Tel: (907) 378‑3339 media@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org Senate Re-Introduces S.1723, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) is pleased to announce that U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, has joined 26 Senators in reintroducing S.1723, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, which seeks healing for stolen Native children and their communities. Originally introduced in 2020 with then-Congresswoman Deb Haaland (NM) and reintroduced in 2021 with Congresswoman… -
May 5, 2023May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), where we remember the lives of our MMIW sisters who have been devastated or lost and continue to call for action to end the MMIW crisis. Alaska continues to be one of the most dangerous states for violence against Indigenous Women and has the 4th highest MMIP cases nationally. WE MUST END THIS CRISIS! The AKNWRC invites you to wear RED with us TODAY! Please share a photo and use hashtags #MMIW, #MMIWActionNow, #NoMoreStolenSisters, and tag @niwrc and @aknwrc in your posts! -
July 21, 2022Request for Proposals: Family Violence Prevention & Services Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault from Culturally Specific Populations Grant Program through the American Rescue Plan. Response Due Date: Friday, August 12, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Alaska Time Email Complete Proposal To: grants@aknwrc.org The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) issues a request for proposals (RFP) to sub-grant funds received for the Family Violence Prevention & Services Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault for Culturally Specific Populations Grant Program through the American Rescue Plan. The AKNWRC has a preference required by the FVPSA funding agency to supplement funding for… -
July 12, 2022In the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, declaring in a 5–4 opinion authored by Justice Brett Kavanaugh that, for the first time in United States history, states have the authority to exercise criminal jurisdiction over crimes committed against Native victims on tribal lands. The state of Oklahoma is a non-PL 280 state. Castro-Huerta, a non-Indian, had been charged with criminal neglect with regards to his stepdaughter, a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Castro-Huerta committed his crime against a Cherokee child, within the borders of the Cherokee Nation. In the opinion, the Supreme Court once again ignores long standing precedent in… -
June 2, 2022Showing Up in Support of Indigenous 2S+/LGBTQ+ Survivors for Pride Month This June, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), StrongHearts Native Helpline (StrongHearts), and the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) acknowledge, support, and lift the voices of Native Two-Spirit, non-binary, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or questioning survivors of violence for Pride Month. As Indigenous nonprofit organizations, we strongly support the need to facilitate inclusive conversations about the identities intersecting across the Indigenous and 2S+/LGBTQ+ spectrum. When NIWRC, StrongHearts, and ANWRC raise awareness on gender-based violence issues, we also recognize that our 2S+/LGBTQ+ relatives experience domestic violence and sexual violence…
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May 6, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2022 Press Contact: Candy Keown Tel. (907) 378‑3339 candy.keown@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org Alaska Native Voices Are Appointed to the Not Invisible Act Commission In October 2020 the Not Invisible Act (NIA) was passed into law. The NIA outlines the formation of a Joint…
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March 15, 2022To read our newest newsletter click the link below for updates on AKNWRC’s policy and technical assistance work. Voices, Languages and Teachings Vol. 4 FINAL
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March 11, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2022 Press Contact: Candy Keown Tel. (907)378‑3339 candy.keown@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org Statement from Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) on the passage of Bipartisan Violence Against Women…
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February 11, 2022FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2022 Press Contact: Candy Keown Tel. (907) 378‑3339 candy.keown@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org Senate Introduces the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 with a Significant Alaska Native Section. The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) is excited to announce the Senate has introduced the Violence Against Women Reautorization Act of 2022. Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with three other colleagues were the lead sponsors of the…
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February 10, 2022AKNWRC would like to take a moment to honor Sophie Sergie and her family. Sophie’s family has been seeking justice for Sophie for nearly 29 years and never gave up hope that someday it would come. That day came today with a guilty verdict and justice for Sophie who was taken far too early. She finally has her justice. The murder of Sophie Sergie has weighed heavily on our hearts and minds over last 29 years. It shocked Fairbanks to its core and the echo of that shock stretched across the state. It has shaped the work of many advocates in… -
February 8, 2022In January AKNWRC hosted a panel discussion on “Calling an Awareness to Action: Examining the Intersection of Stalking and Trafficking, and the Crisis of MMIW facing Alaska Native.” Here you will find the recording and description for the event. A recent federal Government Accountability Office report confirms the high rates of violence against Indigenous women is a crisis in the United States. Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by stalking, where one out of two Native women have been stalked in their lifetime. Each year, thousands become victims of human trafficking. However, Indigenous women and Native LGBTQ2S relatives are especially at risk of…
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February 4, 2022Position Title: Grant Management Senior Program Specialist Salary: DOE Date of Hire: As soon as possible Location: Negotiable (Fairbanks, AK or off-site) Scope of Position and Summary: The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (AKNWRC) seeks an informed, creative, visionary individual to fill the position of Grant Management Senior Program Specialist. The Grant Management Senior Program Specialist is responsible for the providing training and guidance to program specialist across programs to improve the specialist knowledge of grants…
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November 12, 2021Position Title: Program and Outreach Specialist Salary: DOE Date of Hire: To Be Announced Location: Negotiable (Fairbanks, AK or off-site) Scope of Position and Summary: The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, Inc. (AKNWRC) seeks an informed, creative, mature, visionary individual to fill the position of Program and Outreach Specialist. The Program and Outreach Specialist is primarily responsible for the tribal outreach, development and promotion of the information and services of the AKNWRC, including: Provide Outreach to OVC Tribal…
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October 26, 2021ALASKA NATIVE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2021 Press Contact: Candy Keown Tel. (907) 378‑3339 candy.keown@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2119 Family Violence Prevention & Services Improvement Act (FVPSA) Reauthorization The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) is excited to announce that the House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2119 Family Violence Prevention & Services Improvement Act Reauthorization (FVPSA) with a vote of 228 yes and…
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August 2, 2021Vacancy Announcement Position Title: IT Assistant Salary: DOE Date of Hire: September 1, 2021 or until filled Location: Fairbanks, AK or Remote Scope of Position and Summary: The IT Assistant position installs, modifies, updates and makes minor repairs to personnel computer hardware and software systems, and provides technical support to fellow staff. Provide support with Advocacy Product inventory and order fulfillment. Occasionally assist with content updates for organizational website…
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July 26, 2021Vacancy Announcement Lead Administrative Assistant Position Title: Lead Administrative Assistant Salary: DOE Date of Hire: September 1, 2021 or until filled Location: Fairbanks, AK Scope of Position and Summary: The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) seeks an organized, creative, mature and dedicated individual to fill the position of Lead Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant is primarily responsible for providing administrative office support to the Executive Director and providing support to the Finance Director doing light bookkeeping, filing both hard copies and electronic copies on the remote server. This person will report to the Executive Director and Finance Director. This person will work as a member of a…
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July 25, 2021FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2021 Press Contact: Tamra Truett Jerue Tel. (907) 328‑9399 tami.jerue@aknwrc.org www.aknwrc.org H.R. 1652 (S. 611) VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (VOCA Fix Act) heads to the President. On Tuesday, in a rare bi-partisan support of 100–0, the Senate approved S. 611 the “VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crimes Fund Act of 2021.” Since the original act’s inception in 1984, Tribes were left out of direct access to these funds. Beginning in 2018, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes were included on a yearly basis to access these funds. With the passage of this law…
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June 14, 2021It is with great sadness that the Alaska Native Women’ s Resource Center says goodbye to our sister, friend, fiercest advocate for women and children, and Chair of our Board of Directors Shirley Moses. We lost Shirley yesterday to her battle with cancer. Through all of her treatments, Shirley never stopped caring and helping anyone who came to her for help. We will miss all that she brought to our movement to end violence against Indigenous women. Shirley was an Inupiaq Eskimo, born in Nome, Alaska and raised in the interior village of Tanana, Alaska with her siblings. She spent 30…
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April 30, 2021To read our newest newsletter click the link below for updates on what AKNWRC has been working on since our last Newsletter. Voices, Languages and Teachings Vol. 3 4.21
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April 22, 2021PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 22, 2021 Contact: Candy Keown, Communications Coordinator 907–378‑3339; candy.keown@aknwrc.org Thank you to Senators Casey (D‑PA) and Murkowski (R‑AK) for introducing S. 1275: the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, on April 21, 2021. Through this act, which is referred to as reauthorization of FVPSA, survivors of domestic violence receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance recovering from financial abuse and addressing housing insecurity. These services are vitally needed for the safety of all Alaska families, in particular for our Native and rural Alaska communities. The reauthorization of FVPSA strengthens the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to more fully…
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April 12, 2021AKNWRC wanted to make you aware of this potential resource for victims and survivors of DV that are facing eviction notices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an eviction protection declaration. The CDC determined that evicting tenants at this time could create issues for the current public health measures to slow the spread of COVID. For more information and to see if you are eligible please go to: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/renter-protections/cdc-eviction-protections/
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March 22, 2021VAWA Reauthorization is one step closer to being enacted. On March 17, 2021, the House of Representatives approved passage of H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2021. This landmark act aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence, was originally enacted in 1994 and has gone through several expansions and struggles in the last 27 years. The current H.R. 1620 has several improvements, which the Senate will begin its deliberations on this week. The most important provision is the continued recognition of Tribal nations inherent sovereignty and right to hold persons accountable who perpetrate violence on Tribal citizens and their…
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February 1, 2021Across Indian Country, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is an important opportunity to listen to and talk with youth and teens about healthy relationships and dating violence. As Native people, relationships represent our sacred connections with each other, grounded in the traditional understanding that ‘we are all related.’ However, we also know relationships are challenging and especially so for Native youth and teens that are exploring romantic relationships for the first time. As advocates, parents and teachers, it is important we listen to and center the needs of Native youth, providing safe, non-judgmental spaces for our young relatives to talk about… -
October 14, 2020NEW! AKNWRC Domestic Violence FactSheet Check out our new resource! To view PDF: https://bit.ly/3lJOY08
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October 8, 2020Webinar Description The purpose of this webinar is to assist Alaska Tribes in getting prepared for the Annual 2020 VAWA Consultation. Presenters Debra O’Gara, Paula Julia, Mike Williams Presented on September 30, 2020 Presentation Slide Deck and Handouts: Tribal Leader Letter TConsultation 2020 Approved Final.9.24.2020 Combined Framing Papers Annual Consultation reports: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/tribal-consultation OVW’s grant programs are at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/grant-programs Restoration Magazine– Use this link to access the entire June Restoration Magazine (RM). The other issues included in this RM might be helpful to tribal leaders in preparing for the consultation, particularly the legislative updates (p 47–53). https://bit.ly/2YhS8Oy
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August 5, 2020Non-federal Moment August 5, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Debra O’Gara, AKNWRC Senior Policy Specialist 907–888‑2666; debra.ogara@aknwrc.org Covid Precautions Make the Long Standing Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Worse Not one more missing, murdered Indigenous woman has been ringing throughout the country for many years. The voices of the mother, daughters, aunties and families left behind have finally been heard. Last week the Anchorage Daily News, NBC and several other mainstream media brought national attention to the violence faced by Native American and Alaska Native families. “The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women has been escalating for over 200 years. The current COVID situation has definitely increased…
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August 3, 2020U.S. Department of Justice New! The OVW Fiscal Year 2020 COVID-19/Violence Against Women Assistance to Tribes Solicitation is now available: Apply by: September 16, 2020 This solicitation allows tribes (and as applicable, tribal designees, tribal organizations, and tribal nonprofit organizations) to submit short, simplified applications for special funding under two OVW grant programs – Grants to Indian Tribal Governments Program and the Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program. Eligible applicants may apply to both programs covered by this solicitation, regardless of the status of current applications or awards under these programs. Applicants must submit a separate application for each program covered by this solicitation. Funds…
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July 23, 2020Jul 22, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Debra O’Gara, AKNWRC Senior Policy Specialist 907–888‑2666; debra.ogara@aknwrc.org AKNWRC Stands with Tribal Chiefs Hill and Chilcoat to protect Native women through strengthening Tribal Sovereignty (Alaska, July 22, 2020)—The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) stands in solidarity with Muscogee (Creek) Nation Chief David Hill’s and Seminole Nation Chief Greg Chilcoat’s decision to stand for sovereignty and safety for Native women which are being threatened by the Oklahoma Attorney General. On July 9, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic decision affirming the long-established treaty boundary of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The significance of the McGirt decision is that the Supreme Court…
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May 27, 2020Collecting and having accurate and reliable data available is an essential ingredient for increasing legislative protections, criminal prosecutions and setting up safeguards for Indigenous women, girls and boys. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) collects and reports on missing persons throughout the United States with the goal of having the data be shared across jurisdictions, Tribal and law enforcement agencies. https://www.namus.gov -
April 8, 2020We are worried for the safety of our relatives during this pandemic. We fear that there will be an increase in domestic violence due to social distancing and financial stress as discussed in this article quoting our Executive Director Tami Truett Jerue. If you need help and it is safe and possible please reach out. Many local hotlines are still available. The StrongHearts Native helpline is also available at 1–844–762‑8483. Article: Why domestic violence in the Arctic could surge with the coronavirus pandemic -
April 3, 2020Webinar Description Many of Alaska’s domestic violence perpetrators, defendants of gun violence, rapists and other violent crimes go without consequence because our communities lack law enforcement. Due to this women are dying from unnatural causes or disappearing. NamUs and the Alaska Missing Person Clearinghouse collects information about missing persons and the circumstances in hopes that there will be some sort of resolution. Please join us to learn how to help strengthen the data for our missing relatives. Presenters: B.J. Spamer & Jessica Hager for the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)…
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June 11, 2019Please join us for this Symposium! More information to come. -
April 22, 2019Please join us for our annual Unity Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to 1) inform tribal leaders about important legislative developments & priorities concerning domestic & sexual violence 2) provide information about organizing efforts of tribes & advocates at the local, regional, national & international levels to address the safety of Alaska Native women 3) engage Alaska tribal leadership & allies in discussing life-saving reforms in laws & procedures. Unity Mtg 2019 Save the Date Final -
April 18, 2019Come join us for our 2nd Annual Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness Walk on May 1st in Fairbanks, Alaska! MMIW Awareness Walk Fairbanks 5.1.19 -
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March 28, 2019When a woman goes missing in our community, or dies unexpectedly and often from suspicious circumstances, our communities go through a series of emotions from grief to anger. We are sad for the loss of our loved ones and we often have so many questions and concerns and no place to turn for answers. We are concerned about where she might be and who can help us with answers. After days, weeks, months or even years go by without adequate answers, we are angered about why we are not getting the necessary help. The missing and murder of Indigenous women,… -
March 27, 2019Media Contacts: Princella RedCorn Communications Officer, NIWRC predcorn@niwrc.org Candy Keown Communications Coordinator AKNWRC candy.keown@aknwrc.org For Immediate Release March 25th, 2019 Fairbanks, AK- The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKWRNC) and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) release this statement to offer prayers and support to the family of Sophie Sergie and encourage a state-wide call to action to address the issue of Missing and Murdered Native women and Girls. Because of mounting pressure from grassroots advocacy by Native women’s families, tribes, advocates and coalitions, justice systems focus on bringing resolution to cold cases like Sophie’s and help uplift the need for healing and honoring of these women’s and girls’ lives. “Our…
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March 26, 2019Good Afternoon! AKNWRC is forwarding you this important Consultation information. For more information please use the contact information provided in this email. Dear Tribal Leader: I write to invite you to the 21st U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Annual Tribal Budget Consultation (ATBC) which will take place April 23 – 24, 2019, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building at 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. The annual consultation provides a forum for tribes to collectively engage with HHS officials to share their views, priorities, and recommendations with HHS officials on national health and human services funding priorities for the Department’s FY 2021 budget request. The…
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March 12, 2019FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 Press Contact: Candy Keown Tel. (907) 378‑3339 candy.keown@aknwrc.org The House Introduces the Reauthorization of Violence Against Women, House Bill 1585 The Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center (AKNWRC) Today, the House introduced HR 1585 to Reauthorize the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA). The VAWA, originally enacted in 1994, was reauthorized in 2000, 2005 and most recently 2013. The introduction of this bill includes two important provisions specific to Alaska Native women that we hope will remain as the bill passes through the house. Section 901 recognizes the findings of the 2013 Law and Order Commission that in states with restrictive land settlement acts such as Alaska, “Indian…
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September 10, 2018SAVE THE DATE: UNITY MEETING Increasing the Safety of Alaska Native Women When: October 17, 2018 (9am-1pm) Where: Westmark in Anchorage, Alaska Who: Alaska Native village-based advocates / victim services, tribal leadership & community members Please register at: https://unitymeeting.eventbrite.com The purpose of this meeting is: Inform Tribal Leaders about important legislative developments & priorities concerning domestic & sexual violence Provide information about organizing efforts of tribes & advocates at the local, regional, national & international levels to address the safety of Alaska Native women Engage Alaska tribal leadership & allies in discussing life-saving reforms in laws & procedures For more information, please contact Tami Truett Jerue at tami.jerue@aknwrc.org, or Michelle Demmert at michelle.demmert@aknwrc.org -
August 30, 2017As was requested in the first quarterly call in June, we have set up the next quarterly call for September 6, 2017 at 11:00a.m. I am attaching a short agenda and a link for a webinar format. This will enable us to share information visually as well as through the phone. The short agenda includes the following: 1) Welcome and introductions (Darla & Tami) 2) OVW updates (Darla) 3) AK updates (Tami) 4) 2017 Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation Discussion (Sherriann, OVW Deputy Director Tribal Affairs Division) 5) Grantees Sharing/Q &A Register Here (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2200587144924719875) Please register as you would for a webinar.…
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June 2, 2017The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) invites Tribal Leaders to join the 2017 Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit recommendations on enhancing safety for American Indian and Alaska Native women, strengthening the Federal response to the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking, and administering grant funds. The Department of Justice’s Annual Tribal Consultation will be open for registration soon. Please click here to view the Official Tribal Leader Invitation Letter. 2016 Annual Consultation Report We are happy to announce the 2016 Annual Tribal Consultation…
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May 11, 2017Targeting crime and other civil matters could become a lot easier for a handful of Native American tribes. Source: Justice Department expands program to combat crime on tribal lands (WASHINGTON, D.C.) The Federal Government is expanding a program that allows American Indian Tribes to access national criminal databases. The Metlakatla of Alaska are one of about ten tribes that will soon gain access to this resource. “We have some of highest crime rates in Alaska, in the villages,” said Michelle Demmert, a citizen of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. Demmert is applauding a recent move by the Justice Department to expand the…