WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) welcomed the opportunity for Tribal leaders to engage directly with senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) during a Tribal Leader Roundtable focused on public safety, justice, and the resilience of Tribal communities.

Convened by DOJ, Tribal leaders assembled for a direct, candid discussion about the public safety challenges facing Tribal Nations and the federal government’s responsibility to support strong Tribal justice systems. NCAI’s long-standing relationship with DOJ helped facilitate this dialogue and reflects the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement between Tribal Nations and the federal government.

“Public safety is foundational to sovereignty. Tribal Nations must have the authority, resources, and partnerships necessary to protect our people and keep our communities safe,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “We appreciate the Department of Justice for bringing Tribal leaders to the table for a direct conversation about what is working, where there are gaps, and what needs to change. Tribal leaders must always be part of developing solutions that affect the safety, sovereignty, and well-being of our communities.”

For Tribal Nations, public safety and justice encompass far more than just law enforcement. Effective community safety relies on strong Tribal governments, fully resourced justice systems, the ability to exercise inherent Tribal jurisdiction, and meaningful partnerships with federal, state, and local governments.

The roundtable highlighted several issues that remain critical to improving the quality and resilience of public safety and justice systems in Indian Country, including:

• Tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction: Ensuring Tribal Nations have the authority and capacity to exercise jurisdiction and protect their citizens and communities.

• Tribal law enforcement and justice infrastructure: Providing adequate resources for Tribal police departments, courts, detention and corrections systems, prosecutors, victim services, and other components of Tribal justice systems.

• Tribal–Federal coordination: Improving coordination among Tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement while ensuring federal agencies meet their public safety responsibilities to Indian Country.

• Violence against Native people: Strengthening responses to domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, violence against children, and other crimes that disproportionately affect Native communities.

• Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP): Improving investigative coordination, information sharing, case resolution, and support for families and communities affected by the MMIP crisis.

• Access to critical information and technology: Expanding Tribal access to criminal justice information systems and tools that enable Tribal governments to better protect their communities.

• Prevention, healing, and resilience: Supporting Tribally led approaches that strengthen families and communities and address the conditions that contribute to violence and victimization.

“Tribal Nations have always understood that community safety is rooted in strong families, strong communities, and strong governments,” said Macarro. “Our justice systems must have the resources and authority to effectively serve our communities, and our federal partners must recognize that Tribal leaders are essential to developing solutions that work in Indian Country.”

NCAI appreciates the Department of Justice’s willingness to engage directly with Tribal leaders and remains committed to strengthening the government-to-government partnerships necessary to advance public safety and justice throughout Indian Country.