The Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives recently announced that they will hold Tribal consultations virtually in the next few months. Between August 17th and September 17th, the Task Force will conduct 12 virtual consultations in various regions across the United States.
The Task Force, also known as Operation Lady Justice, announced the upcoming series of Tribal consultations under Executive Order 13898, which requires the Task Force to “conduct appropriate consultations with Tribal governments on the scope and nature of the issues regarding missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.”
There are seven members of the Task Force, including Katharine (Katie) Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, designee for the Attorney General.
To view the schedule and register for a consultation, visit OperationLadyJustice.usdoj.gov.
The National Indian Health Board, in collaboration with CDC, has launched a new resource hub! Many Tribal individuals, families, and communities have been impacted by childhood experiences causing physical and mental health adversities throughout the lifespan. However, with understanding and effort, individuals and communities can confront Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) for positive health outcomes. This information hub, launched by the National Indian Health Board includes a "resource basket" designed for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, communities, professionals, and leaders to rummage through, harvesting resources. This Hub can assist Tribes to learn more about ACEs, research, tools, and interventions. Visit the ACES hub here.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Reaffirms the Constitutionality of the ICWA
FBI Seeks to Identify Rightful Owners in Cultural Artifacts Case: The efforts to identify and repatriate the cultural property-which included approximately 500 sets of human remains looted largely from Native American burial grounds-is ongoing, and the FBI is now publicizing the case, along with an invitation-only website detailing the items, in the hopes of gaining further assistance from governments around the world and from Native American tribes.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will no longer honor teams with Native mascots. "In honoring Washington and Kansas City's football teams, we became part of the problem. Our organization won't honor racism anymore." Read the full article here.
The healing power of heritage, Interventions rooted in Indigenous traditions are helping to prevent suicide and addiction in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
The hidden health inequalities that American Indian and Alaskan Natives face, the IHS is the primary health care provider for most American Indians. It is responsible for providing health care under historical treaty agreements between the federal government and tribes.
APSAC Statement on Family Separation at the US-Mexico Border
After careful review and consideration, the Board of Directors of The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children is releasing a statement on the abhorrent practice of separating children from their parents in the name of border security. This link will take you to the full text of the statement.
We urge you to share this statement wherever possible and to cite this statement in your own advocacy efforts when contacting media or members of congress.
