Support the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendment

Jul 21, 2010

Dear Members of the House,

We from the Friends Committee on National Legislation write in support of the Tribal Law and Order Act, included as an amendment in the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act (H.R. 725). By supporting the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act, you will not only be supporting the arts and crafts of our nation’s indigenous peoples, but you will be taking a stand for public safety in Indian Country.

When Indian tribes ceded their lands, the United States made promises through treaties and other agreements. Among them was the establishment of a trust responsibility for the safety and well-being of Indian peoples in perpetuity.

The federal government has never successfully fulfilled this responsibility. Federal legislation, accumulated over decades, has made the criminal justice system in Indian Country extremely complicated, with authority split among tribes, states and the federal government.

The Tribal Law and Order Act would improve the system and begin to address these shortfalls. The bill takes a comprehensive approach toward reforming the justice system by establishing accountability measures for federal agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting reservation crime, and by encouraging better coordination and collaboration between tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement. In particular it will improve the safety of Native women, who are especially subject to violence; studies have shown that Native American women face a one in three chance of being raped in their lifetimes.

FCNL celebrates the recent passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act in the Senate with strong bipartisan support. We urge you to pass the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act, which includes the Tribal Law and Order Act.

Sincerely,

Ruth Flower
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Legislative Director
202.903.2524
flower@fcnl.org

Inez Steigerwald
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Native American Advocacy Program
202.903.2511
inez@fcnl.org