Myron Naneng: Blatant discrimination against tribes in Alaska

Between February 1, and March 7, 2013, the day President Obama signed the Violence Against Women's Act into law, 44 battered women and children from 15 Yukon-Kuskoskim villages had been served by a Bethel women’s shelter. This excludes crisis calls, legal advocacy, and walk-ins. Most of the Tribes from which these victims came exercise some form of Tribal court jurisdiction. VAWA’s Alaska language blatantly discriminates against these tribes by disregarding this critical piece needed for the administration of local justice in Alaska.

Setting aside the frightening statistics, wasteful dollar signs underscore the high price tag needed to bring these offenders to justice. The costs associated with flying both victims and offenders into Bethel from far-flung villages for services and prosecution are an unnecessary waste of already pinched state law enforcement and judicial resources. It is time for Alaska to stop fighting Tribes and work together on a government to government basis. Cooperating on funding is fine, but when it comes to a meaningful use of resources, the State belligerently resists. The Lower 48 States already get it. Some have been enjoying a partnership with Tribes on a sophisticated level for almost 30 years. And it has nothing whatsoever to do with reservations. These states have left the dusty battlefield and replaced cannons and rifles with comity and full faith and credit. Using comity, which is simply mutual respect, in a region where respect is the cornerstone of communication is a no-brainer.