Restoration Magazine

19th Annual Violence Against Women Government-To-Government Consultation

By Paula Julian, Filipina, Senior Advisor, Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center
Large group photo of AKNWRC

Alaska Tribal leaders and advocates with the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center. / Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

Tribes Exercising Sovereignty to Increase Women’s Safety

Tribal leaders, authorized representatives, advocates, Tribal Coalitions, and Tribal organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians, the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, and the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, participated in the 19th Annual Violence Against Women Government-to-Government Consultation November 19-21, 2024, at the Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder.

Tracy Charles-Smith, President, Native Village of Dot Lake. Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

Tracy Charles-Smith, President, Native Village of Dot Lake. Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

Testimony provided by Tribal Nations addressed systemic barriers and recommendations to strengthen Tribal, federal, and state responses to violence against Native women, including: 

  • Administering Tribal funds and programs.
  • Enhancing the safety of Indian women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking.
  • Strengthening the federal response to such crimes.
  • Improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems.

“We need to intentionally balance power between the federal and Tribal governments to avoid the imbalance between survivors and those who harm them.”—Tiffany Webb, Chief, Curyung Tribe./ Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

“We need to intentionally balance power between the federal and Tribal governments to avoid the imbalance between survivors and those who harm them.”—Tiffany Webb, Chief, Curyung Tribe./ Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

Tami Truett Jerue speaking at the 19th Annual Violence Against Women Government-toGovernment Consultation. / Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

Tami Truett Jerue speaking at the 19th Annual Violence Against Women Government-to-Government Consultation. / Photo courtesy of Paula Julian.

“Every day in our Tribal communities, lives are being lost. Our people face criminal victimization at staggering rates, and generations carry the weight of unaddressed trauma. Our Alaska Native and American Indian people are being denied their fundamental right to safety and justice.” —TAMI TRUETT JERUE, AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, ANVIK TRIBE.