WHEREAS, Native people were systematically disenfranchised by colonization and as a result suffer from historical trauma, which can exacerbate the prevalence of substance abuse, alcoholism, and violence in traditionally healthy Native communities; and
WHEREAS, Native people were systematically disenfranchised by colonization and as a result suffer from historical trauma, which can exacerbate the prevalence of substance abuse, alcoholism, and violence in traditionally healthy Native communities; and
WHEREAS, the rates of domestic, physical, and sexual violence against women and children in Alaska remain the highest in the nation and a 2016 National Institute of Justice report concluded that more than four in five Native American women and men have experienced violence in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Public Safety has reported that while sex crimes remain highly underreported, Alaska Native women and children are significantly more likely than any other group in the state to have experienced sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, even though Alaska Native people comprise only twenty percent (20%) of the population, fifty-four percent (54%) of sexual assault victims in Alaska are Alaska Native; and
WHEREAS, rural communities have significantly less access to public safety and law enforcement services and receive less funding than urban areas of the state, which leaves Alaska Native communities unprotected and particularly vulnerable to crime; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Native communities are entitled to fair and equitable public safety resources, consistent and full-time law enforcement services, and continued efforts to fully investigate all cases involving missing and murdered persons; and
WHEREAS, the federal government has a trust responsibility, and the State of Alaska has mandated duty, to assist tribal governments in defending the lives and protecting the safety of all Alaska Native people.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors request the Governor to advocate for: 1) Prioritize public safety funding to address the gaps in public safety to Alaska Native people and villages; 2) Prioritize funding for cold-case investigators and other vital public safety staff; 3) Provide equitable public safety, law enforcement, and justice service resources to rural Alaska; and 4) Improve Alaska public safety laws to reduce criminal activity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors requests the Governor to create a committee consisting of tribal leaders which advises the Governor on subject matters of importance to the tribes of Alaska including public safety.
Submitted by: Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Government
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