WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services (OJS) will conduct tribal consultation with the federally recognized tribes throughout the month of October, 2010. A letter announcing the meetings was sent to tribal leaders on September 17, 2010. “The input from tribal leaders is crucial to ensuring safety in Indian Country,” Echo Hawk said. “It is among my top priorities to move forward to develop the most effective policies and procedures in law enforcement so that the American Indian and Alaska Native people can benefit from this landmark legislation.” The President signed the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 ("TLOA") into law on July 29, 2010. Among other provisions, TLOA provides Tribes with the opportunity to exercise enhanced sentencing authority, requires BIA - OJS to collect and report additional data to Congress regarding public safety in Indian country, and directs BIA to establish certain policies, procedures and guidelines in consultation with tribes. The BIA is committed to ongoing and meaningful consultation with tribal nations to implement TLOA and ensure utilization of effective public safety strategies. We welcome your input at any stage and encourage tribal leaders to weigh in as we move forward to implement this law. As an initial effort to gather the input of tribal leaders, we will hold working consultation sessions with tribal leaders during the month of October as follows:
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October 12, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Hard Rock Hotel San Diego 207 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 702-3000 |
October 14, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Wingate by Wyndam 1808 Majestic Lane Billings, MT 59101 (406) 252-7400 |
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October 20, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Albuquerque Marriot Pyramid North 5151 San Francisco Road, NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-3333 |
October 26, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Embassy Suites – OKC – Will Rogers Airport 1815 S. Meridian Oklahoma City, OK 73108 (405) 682-6000 |
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October 21, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Mystic Lake Resort & Casino 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. Prior Lake, MN 55374 (952) 445-9000 or (800) 262-7799 |
October 28, 2010: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Miccosukee Resort & Gaming 500 S.W. 177th Avenue Miami, Florida 33194 (305) 925-2555 |
We invite you to address the following issues at these sessions:
- A plan to enhance the provision of BIA Special Law Enforcement Commissions (SLECs) to tribal, state and local law enforcement, including minimum requirements to be included in SLEC agreements;
- Guidelines for BIA approval of correctional centers for long-term incarcerations under the enhanced sentencing provisions;
- Elements and guiding principles to be included in a long-term plan for tribal detention programs and incarceration in Indian country, including: Construction, operation and maintenance of juvenile and adult facilities; Contracting with State and local detention facilities; Alternatives to incarceration; An assessment of construction of Federal detention centers in Indian country; Operations & maintenance plans;
- Elements and guiding principles to be included in a long-term plan for construction, renovation and operation of Indian juvenile detention and treatment centers;
- Any issues related to the collection and analysis of data from Tribes regarding Indian country crime and spending on tribal public safety and justice programs;
- Standards and deadlines for OJS background checks for tribal law enforcement and corrections officials.
Comments may be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Justice Services, 1849 C Street, N. W., MS-4551-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240. Please contact the Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs at (202) 208-5787 for any additional questions you might have about the upcoming meetings.
Additional information can be found on the “Current Tribal Consultations” page of the Indian Affairs website at http://www.indianaffairs.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/Consultation/index.htm.
