"I commend Rep. Collin Peterson for his vote to pass H.R. 725 — the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. This historic, bipartisan legislation will help end the epidemic level of sexual violence and rape against native American and Alaska native women in the United States.

Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than U.S. women overall. And according to the Department of Justice, up to 86 percent of perpetrators are non-native men. All too often police are slow to respond to native women, if they respond at all. Native women rarely receive forensic medical examinations and frequently never see their cases prosecuted. Because of a confusing maze of federal, state and tribal laws and jurisdictions, perpetrators of these crimes are often not brought to justice.

The Tribal Law and Order Act was drafted in direct response to concerns raised by tribal leaders and organizations, Native women and Amnesty International USA’s Maze of Injustice report. Passing the Tribal Law and Order Act will help end sexual violence against native women by taking steps to unravel the jurisdictional maze that hinders the investigation and prosecution of crimes in Indian Country."

Get the Story:
Steve Marquardt: Peterson commended for support of tribal law (The Bemidji Pioneer 8/29)
pwpwd

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

Related Stories:
Tribes question 'unfunded mandate' from Tribal Law and Order Act (8/27)
Sen. Bingaman to discuss Tribal Law and Order Act in New Mexico (8/26)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act is essential for Indian Country (8/18)
Opinion: Tribal Law and Order Act blurs jurisdictions for California (8/17)
Opinion: Tribal Law and Order Act takes on 'jurisdictional maze' (8/13)
Mary Pember: Tribal Law and Order Act helps address violence (8/12)
Colville Tribes praise enhanced court sentencing under new law (8/11)
Crime statistics difficult to locate for Indian Country in California (8/9)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act boosts law enforcement effort (8/9)
Rosebud Sioux advocate cites high declination of assault incidents (8/6)
Sen. Begich introduces bill to cover Alaska tribal law enforcement (8/6)
Dress worn by Rosebud woman to White House comes with history (8/5)
Ms. Blog: How Native women created the Tribal Law and Order Act (8/5)
Republican claims Tribal Law and Order Act was a 'backroom' deal (8/5)
Alaska tribes open to officer grants under Tribal Law and Order Act (8/5)
NPR: Obama signs Tribal Law and Order Act into law at White House (8/3)
Attorney calls Tribal Law and Order Act a step in the right direction (8/3)
Troy Eid: Tribal Law and Order Act responds to unfairness in justice (8/3)
Opinion: Tribal Law and Order Act marks victory for Indian Country (8/3)
Color Lines: Tribal Law and Order Act should benefit Native women (8/3)
Mark Trahant: Tribal Law and Order Act only one part of the picture (8/2)
San Manuel Band won't see change with Tribal Law and Order Act (8/2)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act addresses centuries of neglect (8/2)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act long overdue in Indian Country (8/2)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act provides for safer communities (8/2)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act brings justice to Indian Country (8/2)
Another Republican complains about Tribal Law and Order process (7/30)
WHBlog: Tribal Law and Order Act a step forward for Native women (7/30)
ICT Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act offers hope in Indian Country (7/30)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act a good first step in South Dakota (7/30)
Interview: Sen. Murkowski on need for the Tribal Law and Order Act (7/30)
Blog: Tribal Law and Order Act empowers women to combat assault (7/30)
NPR: Tribal Law and Order Act boosts law efforts for Indian Country (7/30)
Opinion: Obama, the Tribal Law and Order Act and immigration laws (7/30)
White House ceremony for Tribal Law and Order Act this afternoon (7/29)
Blog: Republicans ought to explain Tribal Law and Order opposition (7/29)
Meskwaki woman questions GOP vote against Tribal Law and Order (7/29)
President Obama to sign Tribal Law and Order Act at White House (7/28)
GOP claims Tribal Law and Order Act process showed 'disrespect' (7/28)
Tribal Law and Order Act seeks to boost police recruitment efforts (7/27)
House Republicans cast 92 'no' votes on Tribal Law and Order Act (7/26)
Editorial: Tribal Law and Order Act holds promise for reservations (7/26)
Congress backs first significant Indian Country crime bill in years (7/22)
Former US Attorneys support passage of Tribal Law and Order Act (7/21)
Tribal Law and Order Act boosts tribal court sentencing authority (7/14)
Editorial: Bill brings boost to Indian Country law enforcement (7/6)
Supporters expect House passage of Tribal Law and Order Act (6/25)
Senate passes Tribal Law and Order Act as part of another bill (6/24)
Patrice Kunesh: Action needed on Tribal Law and Order Act (5/10)
House committee holds hearing on Law and Order (12/10)
Dorgan praises Obama support on Law and Order (11/3)
Tribal Law and Order Act ready for Senate floor (9/11)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves bills (9/11)
Editorial: Obama should back Tribal Law and Order (9/4)
State opposes Alaska Native provisions in bill (8/7)
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order (6/25)
Witness list for hearing on Law and Order Act (6/24)
In The Hoop: Uhh, good luck with that testimony... (6/24)
Senate Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order (6/22)
Indian Affairs hearing on Law and Order Act (6/18)
Tribal law and order bill introduced in Senate (4/6)