On September 11, 2009, Department of Justice Leadership, including the Deputy Attorney General, Associate Attorney General, and Director Jarrett, met with a group of AUSAs and AUSA Tribal Liaisons from around the country. The discussion focused on public safety concerns in Indian country, the federal response to criminal justice and social service issues on reservations, and proposed solutions for improving the Department’s response to crime in Indian country. The session was one in a series of Indian country stakeholder listening sessions being conducted by DOJ in advance of the Tribal Nations/Justice Department Listening Session: A Dialogue to Make a Difference, scheduled for October 28-29 in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota.
Left to Right – Bottom Row: Arvo Mikkanen(Kiowa/Comanche), Jeff Davis (Turtle Mtn. Chippewa), Jan Morley (Turtle Mtn. Chippewa), Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director – Marshall Jarrett, Deputy Attorney General – David Ogden, Associate Attorney General – Tom Perrelli, Leslie Hagen, Vincent Kirby, Kerry Jacobson, Tricia Tingle (Choctaw). Top Row: Scott Kerin, Vince Carroll, Traci Whelan, Randy Seiler, Tom Rice, Jan Sharp, Kyle Nayback (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa).
Turtle Talk 
I hope leaders will ask some very pointed questions in Minnesota. Like why the current DOJ leadership had issues with a finding in the Law and Order Act that “a significant percentage of cases referred to Federal agencies for prosecution of crimes allegedly occuring in tribal communities are declined to be prosecuted.” Or, why they successfully fought to keep US Attorney’s from having to share detailed declination reports with tribal police and prosecutors. Or, why they successfully fought to prevent the creation of an Office of Indian Country Crime that would have developed consistent national criminal enforcement policies for US Attorneys and Federal crime investigators. Or why they “strongly opposed” housing criminals who have been convicted of serious crimes in tribal courts in the BOP free of charge, which is necessary for tribes to be able to afford to take advantage of expanded sentencing powers. Etc…
It’s great that they are holding sessions to listen to tribes, but their actions to date have shown they care little about listening. It appears to me that they want to basically maintain the status quo with the possible exception of increased funding. Systemic changes are what Indian Country needs, and rather than listen, they’ve fought against such changes.
It would be great if we could get some sort of cooperation here in California and weed through the loop hole in the State Law or at least strighten out the State Law that will allow Federal Officers to be recognized by the State to enforce State Law under PL280. Crime in Indian County California is increasing every year!