2004 Indian Country Report |
July 2004 Colleagues: I am pleased to provide you with our annual report on my office’s efforts to address crime in Arizona’s Indian Country and respond to civil litigation matters. The Indian Country Report includes information on our office’s prosecution and civil litigation arising in Arizona from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. I hope you find this information of interest and value. As you read its content, please take a moment to reflect on the hard work and dedication of individuals in the tribal, federal and local agencies who are tasked with responding to Indian Country matters. My office continues to be challenged by all manner of violent crimes occurring in Indian Country in addition to implementing numerous U.S. Department of Justice initiatives designed to address all federal offenses such as, Project Safe Neighborhoods, (“PSN”) the Human Trafficking Initiative, and Weed and Seed Neighborhoods. Additionally, Arizona border crimes and related criminal activity keep our fiscal and manpower resources fully engaged. As you can see we continue to focus many of our prosecution resources on Indian Country crime matters. And we continue to look for innovative and collaborative ways to prevent and address crime in these communities. This year, I announced a 90-day amnesty period for specific items of cultural significance to affected tribes. See page 5. At the end of the 90 day time period, we hope to have obtained those items specifically requested and necessary for the continuation of Indian cultural practices. The impetus for the Amnesty initiative came from consultation with individual Indian tribal Cultural Preservation Officers and tribal leaders whose tribes experienced theft of culturally significant items and archeological resources. This collaborative effort was a positive experience and I believe serves to educate the public about the importance of these items and the laws protecting them. Thank you for your support of our efforts. Sincerely yours, PAUL K. CHARLTON
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