Chief Judge Melissa Pope of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi speaks at the Quilt Walk for Justice at the U.S. Capitol on December 7, 2015. Photo by Indianz.Com
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi in Michigan has complied with the Violence Against Women Act of 2013. The tribe will now be able to prosecute non-Indians who abuse their partners. The tribe adopted a domestic violence code in March that ensures the rights of defendants will be protected under the law. The code also provides services for victims. "It was emotional," Treasurer Christine Lanning told The Battle Creek of the code's passing. "Because you think, 'They should have that right to do that. It's 2016. We don't have that right?'" The tribe sent a large delegation to the U.S. Supreme Court last December for oral arguments in Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a tribal jurisdiction case. Tribal youth, women and elders participated in the Quilt Walk for Justice to call attention to domestic violence and abuse in Indian Country. Get the Story:
Tribe now can prosecute non-Natives for domestic violence (The Battle Creek Enquirer 5/5) National Institute of Justice Report:
Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men (May 2016) Indian Law and Order Commission Report:
A Roadmap For Making Native America Safer (November 2013)
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