Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
02/05/2024 03:30 PM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Multi-jurisdictional Approach to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL AFFAIRS
February 5, 2024
3:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative CJ McCormick, Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Thomas Baker
Representative Maxine Dibert
Representative Ashley Carrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Jamie Allard
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Calvin Schrage
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL APPROACH TO MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
TAMI TRUETT JERUE, Executive Director
Alaska Native Women's Resource Center
Anvik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation, titled
"Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to the MMIP Crisis."
JOEL JACKSON, President
Organized Village of Kake
Kake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented during the Multi-Jurisdictional
Approach to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People presentation.
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the Multi-Jurisdictional
Approach to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People presentation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:25 PM
CHAIR CJ MCCORMICK called the House Special Committee on Tribal
Affairs meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Representatives Baker and
McCormick were present at the call to order. Representatives
Dibert, Vance, Carpenter and Carrick arrived as the meeting was
in progress.
The committee took an at-ease from 3:31 p.m. to 3:33 p.m.
^PRESENTATION: MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL APPROACH TO MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
PRESENTATION: MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL APPROACH TO MISSING AND
MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
3:34:41 PM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the only order of business would
be the Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to Missing and Murdered
Indigenous People presentation.
3:36:25 PM
TAMI TRUETT JERUE, Executive Director, Alaska Native Women's
Resource Center, provided a PowerPoint presentation, titled
"Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to the MMIP Crisis" [hard copy
included in the committee packet]. Slide 3, titled "About
AKNWRC," read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Since 2015, the Alaska Native Women's Resource Center
has been dedicated to strengthening local, tribal
government's responses through community organizing
efforts advocating for the safety of women and
children in their communities and homes, especially
against domestic and sexual abuse and violence. AKNWRC
board members are Alaska Native women raised in Alaska
Native Villages and have over 141 years of combined
experience governments, nonprofit management, domestic
violence and sexual assault advocacy, and other social
service experience.
Our Mission
The Alaska Native Women's Resource Center envisions
our Tribal women, communities and families free from
violence, healing the trauma and utilizing the wisdom
of our ancestors to create effective community/Tribal
responses to domestic violence, dating violence,
stalking, trafficking, sexual assault, and related
injustices.
MS. JERUE provided background about the Alaska Native Women's
Resource Center.
3:40:15 PM
MS. JERUE introduced the correlation between gender-based
violence and missing and murdered Indigenous people on slide 4,
titled "Introduction to MMIP," which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Indigenous communities have been experiencing some the
highest rates of domestic violence, sexual assault,
human/sex trafficking, and MMIWG/MMIP in the country.
We know this to be true from even the limited data we
have from tribal, state and federal databases.
MS. JERUE discussed data limitations and how data is important
to secure funding for victims and survivors of domestic
violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
MS. JERUE moved to slide 5, titled "What is being done to
address the MMIP Crisis?" [original punctuation provided]:
In order to end the decades long violence perpetrated
on Alaska Native and American Indians, all entities
must come together to stop the violence and be
coordinated - local, tribal, state, and federal,
including all organization and business - there is a
trust responsibility to ensure every citizen is
protected and cared for.
Today, we are going to address a few of the actions
that have been taking place - but understand, this is
just the beginning and YOU ALL have a part in ending
this violence NOW.
MS. JERUE noted some improvements over the last 10 years;
however, statistics concerning the missing and murdered
Indigenous people (MMIP) crisis show that there are still
significant problems due to colonization and the lack of
collaborative relationships with Tribes. She emphasized the
desire to work with the state to provide access to services for
survivors.
3:43:55 PM
MS. JERUE discussed the "Not Invisible Act Commission," on slide
6, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
The Commission is a multi-agency effort to enhance
protections and basic guidelines to engage,
coordinate, and consult with tribal governments,
survivors, families, and experts who best understand
the needs of tribal communities to lead Federal
efforts to ensure indigenous people don't continue to
go missing by developing strategies to address the
crisis by developing:
? Administrative changes to identify, report, and
respond effectively to cases of missing persons,
murder, and human trafficking of Indians within Indian
lands;
? Best practices for Tribal, federal, state, and local
law enforcement agencies to follow in combating
violent crime against Indians within Indian lands,
including missing persons, murder, and human
trafficking; and
? Guidance on how to address any gaps in services for
Indian victims of violent crime.
MS. JERUE said that the commission report had proactive requests
for change, yet there still has not been a response from the
U.S. Department of Justice. She expressed a common thread that
was heard throughout the several commission hearings that there
were concerns about the lack of response from law enforcement
and a lack of support services available for victims.
3:46:27 PM
MS. JERUE moved to slide 7, titled "Not Invisible Act
Commission," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The NIA Commission held 7 field hearings, 8 full
commission meetings, and a combined total of 119 sub
committee meetings from 6 sub committees.
A final report was released in November 2023. Some of
the highlights include:
? Thanking the survivors, and impacted family and
communities of missing and murdered Indigenous persons
and human trafficking of indigenous peoples.
? Common Themes from the Field Hearings
? Key Findings
? Recommendations
MS. JERUE described that the Not Invisible Act commission
indicated that a special chapter in Alaska would be necessary
due to extreme conditions and isolation.
3:47:33 PM
MS. JERUE provided slide 8, titled "Common Themes From Field
Hearings," [original punctuation provided]:
Funding: Reliable, consistent base funding for Tribes
to battle MMIP and HT is critical.
Accountability: Communities need clarity about the
extent and the limit of the authority and
responsibility of law enforcement, medical examiners
and coroners (ME/Cs), and funeral homes. These
entities must be held accountable to quality,
committed work, and in the absence of such work,
negligence and egregious violations of human rights
and dignity must be addressed.
Returning Jurisdiction to Sovereigns: PL-280 and other
abdications of criminal jurisdiction to the states
have had a disastrous effect on the quality and
quantity of LE for Tribal communities. Tribes must
regain their equal and rightful status as sovereigns,
especially around LE, criminal justice, and public
safety.
Alaska requires focused solutions: The 229 tribes in
Alaska are ethnically, culturally, and linguistically
diverse nations, occupying a vast area of about 365
million acres, much of which is inaccessible by road
and lacks basic infrastructure. Prior to the 2022
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization,
Alaska Native Villages were in a legal no-man's land
as to Tribal law enforcement authority. The public
safety situation in Alaska is dire and requires
tailored solutions that recognize the unique legal
framework, exceptionally high victimization rates, and
historic exclusion of Alaska Tribal justice systems
from federal funding.
MS. JERUE noted that the report can be found online. She
expressed the need for accountability for law enforcement
because of high victimization rates in Alaska.
3:50:54 PM
MS. JERUE moved to slide 9, titled "Common Themes From Field
Hearings," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Data and coordination: Federal, state, local and
Tribal law enforcement agencies (LEAs) must coordinate
in reporting, investigations, and sharing data.
Jurisdictional boundaries and responsibilities must be
clarified and understood.
Communication: Authorities at all levels must improve
communications with family members, who are too often
left in the dark for days, weeks, or months about the
investigation. Tragically, a case may be declared
"cold" without a family receiving any information
about the investigation.
Victim and family support: Victims and families need
support from the beginning to the end. This includes
information on how processes work, where to go for
help, counseling, and connections to other services.
Law enforcement shortages: There are serious shortages
and high turnover of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
and Tribal LEOs, who choose state or federal
departments for better pay, retirement, and perhaps
less stress. Up to date, relevant training, wellness
support, pay equity, and benefits can remedy this.
MS. JERUE emphasized the need for victim and family support
through mental health services. She sought to find solutions
regarding shortages, high turnover, and lack of adequate
training for law enforcement.
3:53:03 PM
MS. JERUE moved to slide 9, also titled "Common Themes From
Field Hearings," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Media: There are endless examples of non-Indian
victims and missing persons who receive immediate and
widespread media coverage. For the AI/AN victim or
missing person, this is the job of the family or
advocacy groups. Indigenous missing persons must and
should receive the attention and focus that others
have.
Addressing vulnerabilities: Human traffickers prey on
the vulnerable, often people who are young, homeless
or in foster care, dealing with addiction, mental
illness, or just depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
There must be outreach and help to interrupt this
pattern.
Trauma and resilience: The impact of the MMIP and HT
crisis on AI/AN communities is intergenerational, a
terrible legacy handed down in families. But there is
also a deep resilience, an ability to survive, carry
on, and even heal, especially with the help of
cultural and spiritual practices.
MS. JERUE noted the increased likelihood of media coverage for a
missing non-Indigenous person versus a missing Indigenous person
and the problems associated with this discrepancy. She
emphasized the importance of addressing the trauma.
3:54:48 PM
MS. JERUE concluded that there are many partnerships and
collaborations underway to combat the MMIP crisis.
3:55:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE thanked Ms. Jerue and asked about the
statistic on slide 4.
3:56:15 PM
MR. JERUE clarified that 94 percent of Alaska Native or American
Indian women surveyed had been raped or coerced in their
lifetime.
3:56:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said, "Say it louder for those in the
back."
3:57:02 PM
CHAIR MCCOMICK thanked Ms. Jerue and introduced the next
speaker.
3:57:43 PM
JOEL JACKSON, President, Organized Village of Kake, offered his
perspective of the issues of MMIP in his village of Kake, which
has fewer than 500 people and recently hired two new village
public safety officers (VPSOs). There are sometimes gaps in
VPSO service for weeks at a time.
MR. JACKSON recollected a story of two young women who were
murdered. He said that one of the murdered women was left in
the back of the church for 16 hours while the village waited for
law enforcement to arrive. He expressed that the lack of law
enforcement presence is unacceptable. This is not an isolated
case and other communities have experienced similar problems.
He expressed the difficulties faced by the community of Kake in
the aftermath of the recent tragedy that occurred. He mentioned
that his community felt afraid and unsafe with the lack of law
enforcement response. He said that he responds to serious
events in the community and has some previous law enforcement
experience. He emphasized the need for law enforcement in small
communities. He asked, "How many more of our tribal citizens
are going to die because of a lack of law enforcement? Enough
is enough. I heard all kinds of answers today. Budget issues.
Ok, how much is a human life worth? You tell me."
4:05:12 PM
MR. JACKSON relayed that there were two active shooters in Kake
in the last two years, and there were no VPSOs there to respond.
Mr. Jackson said he responded to the incidents and luckily no
one was hurt. He said, "I shouldn't have to do this." He
previously worked in law enforcement and mentioned 15 suicides
in his village in one year which caused him to leave the police
force. He said, "I'd had enough, so I moved on."
4:08:05 PM
MR. JACKSON sought partnerships through state and federal
entities to ensure the safety and protection of his community,
Native and non-Native. He encouraged the committee to work with
tribes to pool resources to create long-term solutions to
problems.
4:12:47 PM
CHAIR MCCORMICK thanked Mr. Jackson for sharing his story.
4:13:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE expressed that Mr. Jackson's story is
seared into her memory. She commended him for telling his story
which helped to increase the number of VPSOs around the state.
She mentioned the nationwide shortage of law enforcement. She
asked if there has been any increase in tribal members who want
to be involved in the VPSO program.
4:15:24 PM
MR. JACKSON emphasized the difficulty for a resident of the
village to become a VPSO due to a lack of interest in policing
one's friends and family. He mentioned that a paramedic from
Florida with no law enforcement background was hired to be a
VPSO in Kake. He commented on the need for cultural training.
4:18:30 PM
REPRESENATIVE BAKER thanked Mr. Jackson. He referred to his
work on the Kotzebue Tribal Council. He gave an example of a
new VPSO from Oklahoma. He agreed that it is paramount that
VPSOs have resources to help them embrace the culture of the
place they are protecting.
4:20:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT thanked Mr. Jackson. She asked for his
thoughts on training programs for local youth.
4:21:16 PM
MR. JACKSON said he was looking at all possibilities to increase
recruitment and retention of law enforcement in Alaska. He
said, "You gotta want to do it."
4:22:19 PM
REPRESENATIVE BAKER commented that when it comes to law
enforcement in small communities, it's hard for anyone to want
to police their own community. He emphasized the importance of
building healthy families and communities so the next generation
will want to protect their homes.
CHAIR MCCORMICK thanked Mr. Jackson and introduced the next
speaker.
4:24:29 PM
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety (DPS),
explained that the state has provided disproportionate resources
for communities in rural Alaska. He said, "It's shameful." He
mentioned increasing taxes for boroughs to supplement their
police forces. He said DPS is focused on MMIP issues. He
reported that the federal government funded the first MMIP
investigator for the department. He informed the committee that
the scope of MMIP issues is too broad for the small number of
investigators dedicated to the issue. Currently, there are six
cold cases in four regions of the state. Investigators have
been active and have received lots of support from community
members. He ensured that the department plans to stay focused
on MMIP. Four investigators are fully funded in the governor's
budget with additional funding for outreach.
4:30:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked about additional tribal sovereignty
over cases and how the legislature can support such an effort.
4:31:11 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that tribal sovereignty is a
complex issue. He mentioned future federal funding for tribal
police officers. Certain jurisdictions with tribal courts
around the state will be able to tackle low level misdemeanors.
4:33:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK commented about higher level crime and
the challenges for tribes in small communities.
4:34:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE noted the changes in DPS over the last five
years in response to the outcry from communities. She commended
the commissioner for his work in implementing changes to provide
solutions. She mentioned a new VPSO in Seldovia.
4:36:56 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said that hearing the stories of
victimization from rural communities changes one's perspective
of law enforcement. The department's focus has been on
providing more resources to rural areas. There are struggles
with housing for VPSOs. He mentioned how rewarding it is to be
an Alaska State Trooper. Funding for tribal issues over the
last couple years has caused positive momentum and change. He
admitted that troopers aren't perfect but are committed to
providing professional law enforcement resources that are equal
around the state.
4:42:49 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL described how crime tends to level off and
then decrease once a trooper or VPSO is present in a community
and has a relationship with that community. It is difficult to
have someone from the village to police the village. Now that
the VPSO program is a division within the Office of the
Commissioner, there is better communication, parity, and shared
resources.
4:45:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked whether it is time to discuss
local municipalities providing local policing.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL discussed resources throughout different
parts of Alaska. Growth has outpaced funding for troopers in
Matanuska-Susitna. It's time to discuss local policing.
4:48:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER said that community-oriented policing
models are likely to be most effective. If law enforcement has
a presence in the community, intervention can happen before a
response is needed. He wondered if a state, borough, or county
law enforcement model would have better results.
4:51:15 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said the Alaska State Troopers were not
designed to police urban areas. If the department were growing
to an adequate level, more direct interactions with the public
would be possible. The department is currently in a reactionary
state because of vacancies and lack of funding. He described a
busy day on patrol in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, which
involved a backlog of cases due to a lack of administrative
support. Uniformed officers should be in the field, not stuck
in the office writing reports.
4:55:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT thanked the commissioner.
4:55:24 PM
REPRESENATIVE BAKER thanked the commissioner.
CHAIR MCCORMICK thanked the commissioner and said that there are
still many families who report incidences and are ignored. He
said he looks forward to working to fill in the gaps to keep the
public safe.
4:58:28 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Tribal Affairs meeting was adjourned at
4:58 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Jurisdictional Approach to the MMIP Crisis - AKNWRC - HTRB 2.5.24.pdf |
HTRB 2/5/2024 3:30:00 PM |