U.S. Attorney hosts public safety Tribal Consultation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Oct. 5, Alexander M.M. Uballez, the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, hosted delegations from the Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Nambé, Pueblo of Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, Pueblo of Sandia, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of Zuni, Mescalero Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women in a Special Session Tribal Consultation held in Albuquerque.

The Special Session was the beginning of an ongoing conversation with Tribal law enforcement partners about public safety efforts in Tribal Territories. The Tribal delegations provided comment and recommendations regarding the demand for additional resources to combat violence against women, youth and children, the necessity of more flexible intake criteria and support for drug trafficking investigations, and the need for additional training.

“On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and every day, the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working alongside, and learning from our Tribal partners, with respect, sincerity and a shared interest in the wellbeing of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Indigenous knowledge through Tribal consultation is at the heart of this effort. Our approach will be victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community and confident that law enforcement will be vigilant in the investigation of crimes against community members.”

One of the new initiatives to address public safety in Indian Country is the assignment of an individual AUSA liaison to each Tribal community in the state of New Mexico. The Special Session was an opportunity for Tribal leaders and law enforcement to meet with their Tribal liaison and address the U.S. Attorney. Representatives from each Pueblo, Tribe and Nation in attendance provided comments relating to issues unique to their communities as well as issues common throughout the District of New Mexico.

U.S. Attorney Uballez, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Aja Brooks, Criminal Chief Kristopher Houghton, Indian Country Crimes Section Supervisor Elisa Dimas along with Tribal Liaisons Kyle Nayback, Eliot Neal, Alexander Flores, Nicholas Marshall, Brittany DuChaussee, Mark Pfizenmayer, Matthew McGinley, and Novaline Wilson, as well as Law Enforcement Coordinator Alyssa Skrepcinski received the comments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will incorporate the comments into an Operational Plan to address public safety in Indian Country.

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