Chenega Logistics was proud to assist the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women 2017 Tribal Consultation in Fountain Hill, Arizona at the We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center, October 3rd and 4th, 2017.
The Department of Justice’s annual Tribal Consultation on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women is held pursuant to Public Law 109-162, Title IX, Section 903 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2005. This law requires the U.S. Attorney General to conduct an annual consultation with Indian tribal governments to address the federal administration of all tribal funds and programs established under the Violence Against Women Acts (VAWA) of 1994, 2000, and 2005. The statute further directs the Attorney General to solicit recommendations from the Indian tribes at an annual consultation concerning the following items:
- Administering tribal funds and programs
- Enhancing the safety of Indian women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking
- Strengthening the federal response to such violent crimes
The 2017 Tribal Consultation was host to a record 228 tribe members, federal employees and other stakeholders. Over the span of two days 44 testimonies were presented by tribal leaders and tribe members. Sherriann Moore, Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Office on Violence Against Women opened the consultation with welcoming remarks, followed by a Color Guard Presentation by Fort McDowell’s Veteran’s Color Guard, Host Drum by Tom Jones, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Elder, and Shawl Ceremony by the Southwest Indigneous Women’s Coalition. The Shawl Ceremony consists of shawls being placed on seven empty chairs at the center of the room to represent the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, trafficking, women who are murdered or missing, and violence against men.
The Honorable Rachel L. Brand, Associate Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice was able to attend the afternoon session of Day One of the 2017 Tribal Consultation. She offered the closing remarks for Day One, thanking all the current and former state, local, tribal and federal leaders in attendance and pledged the DOJ’s commitment to creating a safer environment for American Indian and Alaskan Native Women, Children, and Elders. She was honored before her departure with a traditional “Honoring Ceremony” involving a traditional native shawl.
[vc_single_image image=”1740″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”]
[vc_single_image image=”1741″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”]