Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘vawa’

Apr 8

April 2013 Policy Update

April 8, 2013

Violence Against Women Act

Last month we were celebrating the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.  This month we’re seeing a clearer picture of implementation of the act.  This legislation is historic, as the act recognizes tribal court jurisdiction (for a good overview read here andhere).  However, Alaska Native communities are specifically excluded from VAWA because the provisions provide for tribal court jurisdiction on reservations only and only 1 of the 229 federally recognized tribes in Alaska has a reservation (Metlakatla).  This means that Alaska Natives are subject to State jurisdiction.  There is quite an argument happening right now about what this means. It remains to be seen how this will work out.
Read more

Mar 11

March Washington & Legislative Update

March 11, 2013

This week, on March 5th and 6th, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) hosts the Tribal Nations Legislative Summit and 113th Congress Executive Council. Items on the agenda include leadership discussions with Senators and Congresspersons and updates from The President’s Office, Federal Agencies, and the Senate Committee On Indian Affairs. Confirmed speakers include: Senator Tom Udall (NM), Congressman Tom Cole (OK), Congressman Denny Heck (WA), Senator Jon Tester (MT), Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (NM), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN), Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI), Congressman Darrell Issa (CA), Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ) and Senator Mark Begich (AK).
Read more

%d bloggers like this: