New Mexico to Host DOJ's Native American Issues Subcommittee and Tribal Liaisons

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, NM – Montana U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter will join New Mexico U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez in welcoming the Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS) of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) to Santa Ana Pueblo on September 9 and 10, 2015, and DOJ’s Tribal Liaisons on September 9-11, 2015.  The meeting will be hosted by the New Mexico U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Cotter serves as the Chairman of the NAIS, and U.S. Attorney Martinez serves as vice-chair.  Currently, 30 U.S. Attorneys from 25 districts and federally recognized tribes serve on the NAIS, which focuses exclusively on Indian Country issues and makes policy recommendations to the Attorney General regarding both criminal and civil issues in Indian Country.

“The Department continues to prioritize issues of criminal and civil law in Indian Country and in particular has made a tremendous effort to quell violence in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Cotter.  “I am delighted that United States Attorneys, tribal liaisons, and Indian Country prosecutors – those in the trenches – will convene to share best practices, learn from one-another, and also celebrate the progress that has been made in the past six years.”

While in New Mexico, the NAIS will meet with representatives from tribes in New Mexico, as well as officials from BIA, SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Office of Justice Programs and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of DOJ.  The NAIS will meet in a joint session with Tribal Liaisons who will be participating in a training seminar that will cover issues that include justice services, substance abuse, and offender reentry in Indian Country.  At the conclusion of the NAIS meeting, Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country prosecutors will meet for an additional day to continue discussions on topics relevant to Assistant U.S. Attorneys who regularly practice in Indian Country.

The morning session of the NAIS meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, will be open to the press and will include welcoming remarks by Montana U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter and New Mexico U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez, and 1st Lt. Governor Antonio Chewiwi of Isleta Pueblo, and remarks by Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn on Progress in Justice Services in Indian Country.  More information on meeting time, location, and press accommodations is available by contacting Alyssa Ferda at 505-224-1480 or alyssa.ferda@usdoj.gov.