Indian Country
“With the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act, we are witnessing tangible progress toward a healthier, brighter future for Native Americans. I want to reaffirm the Justice Department’s commitment – and my own commitment – to building and sustaining healthy and safe native communities; to renewing our nation’s enduring promise to American Indians and Alaska Natives; to respecting the sovereignty and self-determination of tribal governments; and to ensuring that the progress we have achieved in recent years is not derailed.”
-- Attorney General Eric Holder at the 12th National Indian Nations Conference, December 2010.
Historic Progress Made in Strengthening Public Safety
by Brendan V. JohnsonU.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
Almost two years ago, one of my first official acts as United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota was to visit the office of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Chief Prosecutor, Matt Rappold. Matt sat behind an old wooden desk with several stacks of case files piled high in front of him. He was the only law-licensed full-time prosecutor in Rosebud and the stress of managing both his office and over 3,000 criminal cases a year was apparent in his voice as he told me that something had to change. He explained that justice for victims was too often not a reality in Rosebud, and that both he and the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court system were near collapse.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder addresses the 12th National Indian Nations Conference on December 9, 2010.
Increase in Prosecutions
Increase in Indian Country Prosecutions
by Dennis K. Burke
U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
More violent criminals are being prosecuted in Indian Country than ever before. This unprecedented activity by the United States Attorney Offices and our federal and tribal law enforcement partners is improving public safety in Indian Country day by day.
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Central Violations Bureau Docket
Central Violations Bureau Docket
by Sanford Coats
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
In the late 1990s, Western District of Oklahoma Assistant U.S. Attorney and Tribal Liaison Arvo Q. Mikkanen recognized a significant gap in criminal law enforcement in Indian Country. On most tribal lands in Western Oklahoma, non-Indians could commit misdemeanor crimes against the persons or property of Indians virtually without consequence. Additionally, many violators escaped prosecution for minor crimes, such as simple drug possession or small embezzlements that occurred at tribal gaming facilities. Tribal courts could not prosecute these crimes and, although jurisdiction existed in state court for many such crimes, few if any district attorneys filed misdemeanor charges for offenses occurring in Indian Country. Mr. Mikkanen realized that, while the federal government has always had jurisdiction over these offenses, there was no specific, streamlined procedure for prosecuting misdemeanor crimes in Indian Country or for trying those cases. Something had to be done.
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Sexual Abuse
A Call to Action: Get Involved to Stop Sexual Violence in Tribal Communities
by Timothy Q. Purdon
U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota
In discussing sexual violence in tribal comminutes with friends and neighbors who do not routinely visit the reservations, it is clear that many non-Native Americans are unaware of the levels of sexual violence on the reservations. When I speak publicly about these issues, the response is often the same. After my remarks, many members of the audience approach me individually and say, “I had no idea that this sort of thing was happening in our country. What can I do to help?” The answers to that question are as varied as the people who ask it, but the common theme is simple: get involved.
Achievements in Courtrooms Nationwide
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Environmental Crimes
Protecting Indian Country from Environmental Harm
by Michael Cotter
U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana
In Montana, 45 drums containing more than 1,200 gallons of waste marked “sulfuric acid,” “caustic potash” and “caustic soda beads” were hauled and disposed of 330 miles away from the perpetrator’s business – dumped on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Out of sight, out of mind.
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Violence Against Women
Domestic Violence Against Native American Women Is a Human Rights Issue
by Deborah K.R. Gilg
U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Domestic violence against Native American women is a widespread crisis that is a priority for all of us in the United States Attorneys’ offices. Native American women experience battering at a rate of 23.2 per 1,000—compared with 8 out of every 1,000 Caucasian women. Statistics show that tribal communities face violent crime at per capita rates more than twice those of the United States resident population. Indeed, some tribes face murder rates against Native American women more than ten times the national average.
Achievements in Courtrooms Nationwide
Useful Links
- Office on Violence Against Women: Tribal Communities
- Attorney General Holder Announces Violence Against Women Tribal Prosecution Task Force in Indian Country
Drug Trafficking
Indian Country is not a Safe Haven for Drug Dealers
by Mark F. Green
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
While state drug agents may be cross-deputized by tribal authorities and vice versa, the ability of the state, local and tribal authorities to pursue organizational prosecution of drug traffickers is often dependent upon a relationship with federal law enforcement agencies. The agencies tend to be based in metropolitan areas which may be far removed from Indian Country. Such is the case in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. With the smallest federal agent footprint in the country, the EDOK is ripe for infiltration by major drug trafficking organizations as a location for processing, transportation and warehousing of both illegal substances and the proceeds from their sale.
Useful Links
- Office of National Drug Control Policy - Collaborating with Native Americans and Alaskan Natives
- Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts
District of New Mexico — November 3, 2011 Northern Arapaho Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury
District of Wyoming — October 27, 2011 Former Officer and Wife Sentenced for Embezzlement and Theft From and Indian Tribal Organization
District of North Dakota — October 27, 2011 Wakpala Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter
District of South Dakota — October 24, 2011 Jury Finds White Mountain Apache Man Guilty of Stabbing
District of Arizona — October 12, 2011 Repeat Rapist Sentenced to Prison
Eastern District of Washington — October 12, 2011 Mississippi Woman Sentenced for Embezzlement from and Indian Tribal Organization
Southern District of Mississippi — October 11, 2011
Click thumbnails for expanded maps
Planning a Safer Future in Indian Country: Identifying Problems and Finding Solutions Through Collaboration
Recognizing that the success of the Indian Country Initiative depends largely on the dedicated efforts of U.S. Attorneys with Indian Country jurisdiction, the Deputy Attorney General directed all districts containing Indian Country to consult annually with the tribes in their districts. The United States Attorneys were charged with taking the lead in implementing the initiative by developing, in consultation with the tribes in their districts, operational plans to address public safety in Indian Country.
Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative, January 2010 Memo from the Deputy Attorney General HTML | PDF
The Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General's Advisory Group will hold meetings in Rapid City in July 2011. The event will also include a trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation with Department of Justice and Bureau of Indian Affairs leadership.
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act and The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
United States Attorneys enforce the laws that address looting, vandalism, and illegal commercial trafficking of cultural heritage, as well as negligent and fraudulent acts involving these resources.
Outreach to Tribal Communities:
Building Capacity and Preventing Crime
Reflecting and responding to information garnered through the consultation process, operational plans for Indian Country provide a structure that allows each United States Attorney’s Office to address the public safety challenges brought to its attention by each tribe.
Drug Endangered Children
Drug Endangered Children in Indian Countryby John Vaudreuil
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin
The drug threat on tribal lands is significant, and the most vulnerable victims are those children at risk of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect, as a result of their caregiver’s involvement in the drug culture.
Useful Links
For information on public events near you, find your local U.S. Attorney’s Office and ask for the Tribal Liaison.Tribal Liaisons
The legal and cultural issues in Indian Country are complex and long-standing. Effective tribal liaisons play a key role in helping to facilitate communication among the United States Attorneys Offices, federal law enforcement partners, tribal leaders, tribal law enforcement officers, and members of the tribal communities.
The National Intertribal Youth Summit, held July 24 – 28, 2011, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, invites approximately 150 Native youth from tribal communities across the country to share thoughts, concerns and recommendations on ways to address public safety and positively impact the lives of youth across Indian Country.
In the District of New Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office participated in the Isleta Pueblo Youth and Community Public Safety Seminar.
Challenges Facing American Indian Youth
President Obama and the Native American Community
Office of Justice Programs - American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs
