From ICT:
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Tribal justice advocates largely agree that the funds are only a beginning.
“The funding is good and is an important step, but it is only a partial solution,” said Kirsten Matoy Carlson, a staff attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center.
“What is needed is real legal reform. In addition to funding shortfalls, the Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe loophole still remains.”
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Matthew L.M. Fletcher, director of the Michigan State University Indigenous Law & Policy Center, is grateful for federal awards to address violence in Indian country, but is skeptical about their long-term effects.
“Federal grant money into Indian country is fantastic, and helps build tribal organizational capacity to combat domestic violence and violence against women.
“And, I am very happy to see some federal interest in something not related to meth, or immigration, or drug smuggling.
“But what happens when the grants run out? So many times in Indian country it means that those programs just die. I hope that won’t happen here.”
Fletcher believes a long-term solution to violence requires a re-examination of federal law in relation to tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.
He said Congress could quickly correct issues stemming from Oliphant if it chooses.
Congress has long heard about the issue from tribal leaders, but has chosen not to act.
Turtle Talk 