Navajo Nation Washington Office

The 2022 publication of the Amnesty International USA “The Never-Ending Maze” scrutinized the U.S. government's lack of response to the significant rates of violent crimes committed against Indigenous women, stating the “USA’s failure to fulfill its human rights obligations towards Indigenous women is informed and conditioned by a legacy of widespread and egregious human rights violations and abuses against Indigenous peoples.” The report indicates that 56.1% of Indigenous women experience sexual violence and nearly 30% have been sexually assaulted, which is twice the rate of non-Hispanic white women.

The report attributes the high rates of violent crimes to jurisdictional issues, lack of resources for effective police development, lack of appropriate and culturally based health and support services, and failure of prosecution from State and Federal authorities.

This week, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (“SCIA”) engaged in a Public Safety Round Table discussion with Tribal officials from across the country. Navajo Nation Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton participated in the discussion highlighting many of the challenges that the Navajo Nation law enforcement face such as staffing shortages, difficulties in recruitment and retention, geographical barriers, and lack of involvement from Federal law enforcement.

Issues raised within the SCIA Public Safety Round Table mirror and are consistent with the challenges identified within the report released by Amnesty International USA. Certain Tribal governments were able to restore limited criminal jurisdiction and punishment authority in specific circumstances thanks to the passage of the 2010 Tribal Law and Order Act (“TLOA”) and the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”), resulting in some improvement in women's safety. However, the standards for implementing either TLOA or VAWA are onerous, and tribal governments are still severely limited. Some of these limits were addressed in the 2022 reauthorization of VAWA, which was signed into law this past March, but major impediments remain for Tribes whose jurisdiction and ability to prevent and respond to violent crimes are severely limited. Because of these restrictions, the legislation's success has not resulted in a significant reduction in rates of violence crimes committed against Indigenous people.

With the establishment of the new Not Invisible Act Commission, there is hope that many of these limitations will be assessed and removed to improve the public safety responses from Tribal, State, and Federal governments. In addition, we continue to work with our Federal partners, and we emphasize many of these challenges through Tribal consultations. This week, the Navajo Nation submitted written responses to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) highlighting the challenges within Indian Country with recommendations on how to improve public safety through improvements to mental health and support services as well as increased support for social programs to remove negative factors contributing to violent crimes. HHS will review comments submitted by Tribal governments to create a comprehensive plan to support prevention efforts that reduce the risk factors for victimization in accordance with President Biden's Executive Order 14053.

Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes testifies before the Senate Judiciary committee in February 2022. She was confirmed as the first Native American to serve as an Article III judge in California on May 18, 2022. (Screenshot via NNWO)

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to confirm Sunshine Sykes as a U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California. Judge Sykes is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation originally from Tuba City, AZ. With her confirmation complete, she is officially the first Navajo to serve as an Article III judge, as well as the first Native American to serve in such a position in California. There are four other Native Americans currently serving on the federal bench.

Upon hearing of the confirmation, President Nez offered his congratulations stating: “On behalf of the Navajo Nation, we congratulate Judge Sykes on her historic nomination and becoming the first Diné person to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge. Her upbringing, exceptional experience, and commitment to serving the public and the justice system will bring new and unique perspectives to the justice system. We will continue to pray for her continued success as she serves in the U.S. District Court and we thank her for being an inspiration to our young Navajo people. We also thank the Biden-Harris Administration and the Senate. We look forward to having more appointments that reflect the diversity of this country.”

Immediately prior to her appointment, Judge Sykes had been serving as a California Superior Court Judge on the Superior Court of Riverside County, starting in 2013. Before taking the position as a California state judge, she worked as a staff attorney for California Indian Legal Services from 2001 to 2003, as a contract attorney for the Juvenile Defense Panel at the Southwest Justice Center from 2003 to 2005, and then as a Deputy County Counsel in the Office of County Counsel for Riverside County from 2005 to 2013. She received her J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2001 and her B.A. from Stanford University in 1997.

As has been increasingly true of judicial nominations since the mid-2000s, the vote to confirm Judge Sykes was largely partisan, passing 51 to 45. Of the three Republican votes for Judge Sykes, both Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) pride themselves on being moderate Republicans who are willing to cross party lines to get things done. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is generally considered to be much more conservative, but as the former Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee he has made a point of supporting qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation in an effort to reduce the partisanship of judicial nominations. Unfortunately, this effort does not appear to be working.

Notice of Public Meetings 

The US Commission on Civil Rights and the New Mexico Advisory Committee will hold a series of meetings regarding their project on education disparities for Native American students. The first meeting will be held on May 25, 2022. 

Notice of Nomination Solicitation 

The National Park Service is soliciting nominations for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint members from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, or traditional Native American religious leaders and national museum organizations or national scientific organizations.  The nominations must be received by June 13, 2022.

Native American Business Development Institute Grant;

Solicitation of Proposals

The Office of Indian Energy and. Economic Development is soliciting grant proposals from eligible federally recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations. NABDI award funding will be used to explore economic development opportunities through feasibility studies and business plans. Applications will be accepted until June 27, 2022. 

Emergency Relief Program; Notice of Funds Availability

The Farm Service Agency is offering assistance to producers for losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze, smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions occurring in 2020 and 2021. Comments due by July 18, 2022. 

Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Program

The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2022 for the Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Program. The program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals. Applications deadline is July 11, 2022.  

Upcoming Events

Youth in Action:

Indigenous Youth Poet Warriors

Young Indigenous poets use written and spoken word to express their worldviews and advocate for personal and community needs. In celebration of the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo (Mvskoke [Creek] Nation), Native Youth, including Kinsale Drake (Diné), share how this "poet and champion of justice" has inspired their own writings. 

"Grow With Us"

Gardening for Beginners

Ongoing through

September 28, 2022

The Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc. Public Health Nutrition presents "Grow With Us" Gardening for Beginners. The program will provide a step-by-step process of starting a garden at home.  

AISES USAA Scholarship

Deadline to submit

May 31, 2022

In partnership with USAA, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is pleased to announce the USAA Scholarship for undergraduate Native Veterans pursuing any STEM degree. Along with providing the critical financial support that undergraduate Native Veteran students need to successfully complete their STEM degrees, USAA is also sending some of their scholars to the 2022 AISES National Conference.

NCAI's 2022 Mid Year Conference & Marketplace

June 12, 2022 - 

June 16, 2022

At NCAI's 2022 Mid Year Conference & Marketplace, attendees will have the opportunity to work collaboratively to protect and enhance tribal sovereignty. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, NCAI is holding an in-person conference, which will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, with the theme "Thinking Beyond Self-Determination."