“Protecting Our Tribal Communities: Responding to Gun Violence and Its Victims” Conference to be held in Pine Ridge on April 6

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a half-day conference addressing gun violence in Indian country will be held in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, on Thursday April 6, 2017. The event will be held in conjunction with National Crime Victim’s Rights Week and is hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

On the agenda is Nikki Munholand, a Tribal Administrator who survived a mass shooting which took place during a tribal council meeting in which four tribal members, including the Tribal Chairman, were killed. Sheriff Michael Poindexter was one of the responding officers who worked closely with the victims. They will share their story of survival and the effect of the shooting on the community.

Representatives from several local victim service providers will have a display/information booth. Following the conference, a ceremony will be held honoring four individuals who have provided outstanding services to victims of crime in Indian country.

The events will be held at the SuAnn Big Crow Center in Pine Ridge, located at 1 Positive Place. The conference will run from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, followed by the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week presentations. The public is welcome and a free lunch will be served.