Juana Majel Dixon: Tribal jurisdiction fix and violent crimes

Monday, June 13, 2011  

"Washington, DC can be a frustrating place—truly. Each time I meet with our federal partners or my Native brothers and sisters that reside there, I always tell them that I am praying for their sanity. As a traditional councilwoman for the Pauma Band of Mission Indians and as someone who knows the tangible impact that government leaders have on those they serve, half the time I just have to shake my head in disbelief at the legislative and policy decisions coming out of our nation’s capital.

This is why the recent actions by the Department of Justice have been so refreshing and have given me a sense of renewed faith in our leaders in Washington, DC—and those serving in the Obama Administration, in particular. Attorney General Holder and members of his team are trying to implement rational policies without giving in to political temptation, and to stay on moral high ground; they have managed, at least with respect to issues of public safety in Indian Country, to do the right thing. They have shown the courage to tackle the complicated issues and confront them with real solutions—even when those solutions may not yield political capital.

I am referring to the Department’s recent efforts to combat violence against Native women; and in particular, its current consideration of a legislative proposal that would restore tribal authority to prosecute non-Indians who commit the most heinous of acts: crimes of violence against Indian women."

Get the Story:
Juana Majel Dixon: A Critical Time to Protect Native Women and Advance Tribal Jurisdiction (Indian Country Today 6/11)