U.S. Attorney Participates in 2018 Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Sioux Falls, S.D.

SIOUX FALLS, SD – United States Attorney Ron Parsons joined Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio and Office on Violence Against Women’s (OVW) Acting Director Katherine Sullivan at the 13th Annual Conference on Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on August 21-22, 2018.

The purpose of this annual Government-to-Government conference is to solicit recommendations from tribal leaders on enhancing safety and strengthening federal law enforcement efforts to the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking of American Indian and Alaskan Native women, and administering funds and programs for tribal governments established by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation.

The conference was hosted by the Great Plains Tribal Chairman’s Association.  The U.S. Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and the Interior, and tribal leaders of federally-recognized Indian Tribes from across the nation participated in the two-day event focused on federal administration of tribal funds and programs established under VAWA.

The conference opened with a call to order by Sherriann Moore (Rosebud Sicangu’ Lakota), Deputy Director of Tribal Affairs for OVW.  The Color Guard was presented by the Flandreau Veteran’s Association Color Guard, staffed by Sam Allen.  Roxanne Sazue, former Chairwoman of the Crow Creek Tribe, offered a traditional blessing with drums presented by “Rising Hail,” led by Allen Hare of the Yankton Sioux Tribe.  The Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains then performed a Shawl Ceremony to honor victims of violence and abuse.

Oglala Sioux Tribe Vice-President Darla Black and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe President Anthony Reider each addressed the conference with opening remarks.  OVC Acting Director Sullivan then introduced Acting Associate Attorney General Panuccio, who delivered the keynote address.  Other Tribal leaders who provided testimony included Roxanne Sazue, former Chairwoman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe; Lydia Bear Killer, Council Member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe; and Lois Owens, Council Member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Morley, who is the Tribal Liaison for the District of South Dakota, and Victim Witness Coordinator Marlys Big Eagle also attended the conference on behalf of the District of South Dakota.

Domestic violence and sexual assault are crimes that affect every community, but, tragically, Native women face higher rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and domestic violence homicide than almost any other group.  A 2016 National Institute for Justice study concluded that more than half of all Native women have experienced sexual violence and physical violence by an intimate partner.  All too often, these instances of violence are part of an escalating cycle, culminating in alarming homicide rates for Native women.

Many in attendance at the conference wore red to commemorate, honor, and raise awareness about missing and murdered Native women.  The voices of these women may have been silenced, but their memory should serve as a call to action.  These women deserve to be honored and remembered, but they also deserve more: they deserve action.

The Department of Justice is resolute in its commitment to helping ameliorate this crisis.  It does so in two principal ways.  First, federal prosecutors are working every day to bring domestic violence offenders to justice.  Second, through our grant programs, we are helping victims with a full range of services and support.

“This was an incredible opportunity to listen to and learn from tribal leaders and citizens from across the country who are leading the fight against domestic violence and abuse of all kinds in Native American communities,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.  “Their testimony was moving and profound.  I am honored and humbled to have heard these direct accounts of the struggles and challenges that Native American communities are facing in seeking justice for domestic violence victims.”