WASHINGTON (AP) — A quarter-century ago, the Justice Department had few meaningful relationships with Native American tribes.
While the federal government worked with state and local police and courts, tribal justice systems did not have the same level of recognition, said Tracy Toulou, who oversaw the department’s Office of Tribal Justice from 2000 until his recent retirement. “They were essentially invisible,” he said.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Toulou built the office from an idea into an “institution within the Justice Department.”
Its relationships with the nation’s 574 federally recognized tribes are important, in part because federal authorities investigate and prosecute a set of major crimes on most reservations.
Public safety statistics reflect the serious challenges. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime, and Native American women are at least two times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted compared with others.
Box office: ‘Challengers’ scores with $15 million in ticket sales
Xinjiang sees record number of high
Textile enterprises in Zhejiang advance green, high
China's Xiaomi releases its first self
Walmart shutting down its 51 health care clinics, virtual care service
Germany's Scholz arrives in China on a visit marked by trade tensions and Ukraine conflict
Shota Imanaga continues strong start to major league career as Cubs top Mariners 4
China’s unemployment rate for youth aged 16
India recalls Rishabh Pant for T20 World Cup after near
China expands transport network to facilitate high