Lastly, for the love of G-d, it is incumbent on all Alaskans to really choose respect and immediately call upon our lawmakers to repeal Section 910 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, as this specific Alaska exception singles out Alaska Native women and families for disparate, unequal, and inferior protection of the law; an illogical result for the most vulnerable and distressed population in the entire United States.

Beyond the court rooms, halls of Congress, or the suits in Juneau, the buck must stop on our laps. To dig deep past the crud, and reclaim our families, in the time-honored tradition of blue tarps and duct tape if need be. The tribes I serve provide positive Indian parenting, healthy relationships, and fatherhood initiatives, support in the constant fight for sobriety, reclamation of traditional foods and spirit, and transformation of violence through cultural salve. And I think, how can it be that I don’t take more advantage of what is right next door in order to be the best father possible?

The paradigm shift starts now with each one of us; one by one we can transform Alaska into a world leader demonstrating how great cultures can meet and mutually enrich each other, bringing the great words to fruition that there will be peace in every home, and “nation will not raise sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”