10
S moke S ignals
DECEMBER 15, 2014
Emphasis on Tribal law enforcement
CONFERENCE continued
from front page
Secretary of the Interior Sally
Jewell gave the opening remarks,
where she emphasized the Obama
administration’s commitment to
Indian Country.
“All of the work we are under-
taking in partnership with Tribes
– whether on education, tackling
climate change or upholding trust
reforms and treaty obligations – is
with an eye toward the health and
prosperity of the next generation,”
Jewell said. “The White House
Tribal Nations Conference is one
piece of President Obama’s commit-
ment to make meaningful and last-
ing progress in support of American
Indians’ and Alaska Natives’ vision
for a strong and successful future.”
Jewell oversees the Bureau of
Indian Affairs as Secretary of the
Interior.
She also chairs the White House
Council on Native American Affairs,
which includes the heads of more
than 20 federal departments and
agencies. It has convened four times
since its inception in June 2013 and
works to improve inter-agency coor-
dination and expand efforts to lever-
age federal programs and resources
available to Tribal communities.
Country moving,” Mercier
said. “Biden said the worst
abuse of power is raising
one’s hand against a woman
or a child.”
Attorney General Eric
Holder spoke after Biden,
stressing the Obama admin-
istration’s commitment to
improving law enforcement
in Indian Country and an-
nouncing a new initiative to
promote compliance with the
Indian Child Welfare Act.
“During the breakout ses-
sions, they took input from
Tribal leaders,” Mercier said.
“I was one of the last to get
to speak, and I urged them to
increase funding or in some
other way prioritize Tribal
law enforcement development.
Throughout the conference
Photo by Chris Mercier
they emphasized the need for
Attorney General Eric Holder was one of the members of President Barack Obama’s
self-sufficiency, public safety
Cabinet who addressed attendees of the sixth annual White House Tribal Nations
and the exercise of sovereignty.
Tribal law enforcement touch-
Conference held Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Washington, D.C.
es on all of those areas, and
many Tribes are not as well off as us,
ernance animate each of our pro-
Assistant Secretary for Indian
many being located in remote rural
grams,” he said. “Our programs
Affairs Kevin Washburn, who leads
areas with little police presence.”
cannot fully succeed unless Indian
the BIA, also participated in the
During his speech, President
Tribal governments also succeed.”
Tribal Nations Conference. “Each
Obama
focused on Native youth,
At the opening of the conference,
of the administration’s successes is
building upon his summer visit to
Vice President Joe Biden spoke
progress for Tribes because Tribal
the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in
about violence against women in
self-determination and self-gov-
North Dakota. He made a series
Indian Country.
of commitments designed to create
“The most horrific prison on earth
new opportunities for Native youth,
is the four walls of an abused wom-
including the establishment of the
an’s home,” Biden said. “For far too
Generation Indigenous initiative
many Native American women that
that will seek to identify and re-
is a daily reality.”
move obstacles standing in the way
Biden apologized that it took
of Native youth success.
until 2013 to amend the Violence
“The United States shares a sa-
Against Women Act to allow Tribal
cred bond with our Native nations,”
governments to prosecute non-Indi-
Obama said. “We have a sacred re-
an domestic violence offenders in
sponsibility to all our young people,
certain cases.
including Native youth.”
“As long as there is a single place
He also said he will convene the
where the abuse of power is excused
first White House Tribal Youth
as a question of jurisdiction or
Gathering in 2015.
tolerated as a family affair, no one
“I got to meet several Tribal
is truly safe, and we cannot define
Council
members from other Tribes
ourselves as a society that is civi-
whom I had never met before,”
lized,” Biden said.
Mercier said. “I was reminded that
He urged all Tribal governments
we all face many of the same chal-
to be prepared on March 7 when
lenges. There are problems which
the law goes into effect to use their
transcend geography or culture.
authority to aggressively prosecute
Tribal governance is a form of na-
domestic violence offenders.
tion building, and we are fortunate
“I especially found Biden’s speech
to be part of it.” n
on domestic violence in Indian
Fish & Wildlife Committee
has new e-mail address
In an effort to be of better service to the membership, the Tribe’s Fish
& Wildlife Committee has created an e-mail address for those who hunt,
fish and gather on the Reservation. The e-mail address is designed so
that Tribal members can make the committee aware of any concerns or
questions and to make positive comments. The committee will do its best
to provide answers and feedback to the membership so that everyone
who wishes to utilize the Reservation lands may do so legally.
Submit your comments, questions and concerns to FW.Committee@
grandronde.org. n
Hospice seeking Native jewelry
Ad created by George Valdez
The nonprofit Willamette Valley Hospice in Salem is planning a used
jewelry sale in the spring as a fundraiser and is seeking donations from
talented Native jewelry makers. Those who would like to donate can contact
Hospice board member Steve Bobb Sr. at 503-876-3118. n