Public Safety & Justice


The ability of any nation to enact, enforce, and interpret its own laws and be governed by them is one of the most recognized powers of any sovereign. To ensure that Tribal Nations can safeguard against criminal activity, natural disasters, and national security threats, it is imperative that Tribal Nations have both the jurisdiction and the resources needed to keep tribal communities safe and secure for everyone.

NCAI’s many public safety and justice initiatives include advocacy for restored criminal jurisdiction, ending the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), and supporting the survivors of domestic violence and abuse. As a policy issue, MMIW refers to the ongoing efforts to reduce violence against American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) women, prosecute crimes when they do occur, and provide culturally-appropriate services to victims and their families. Additionally, NCAI advocates to strengthen tribal law enforcement, improve coordination between federal agencies working for and within Indian Country, and urge the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior (DOI), and all other federal agencies to live up to their trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. NCAI is committed to improving public safety within Tribal Nations, increasing access to justice for Native peoples, and protecting the health and well-being of tribal citizens.

Policy Documents
A roadmap for making Native America safer report
Learn More
NCAI Research Policy Brief (Juvenile Justice)
Learn More
2022 VAWA Toolkit
Learn More
NCAI Research Policy Update (Stats on data for violence against AI/AN women)
Learn More
Juvenile Justice Policy Update (Duplicate Copies)
Learn More
NCAI Testimony Reauthorization of VAWA (House Judiciary Committee)
Learn More
NCAI Testimony FY 2020 Tribal Homeland Security
Learn More
NCAI Testimony on the need to reauthorize VAWA (Senate Judiciary Committee)
Learn More
VAWA 2013 (SDVC) Five year report (Duplicate Copies)
Learn More
VAWA Data Brief
Learn More
PRC Research Update for Annual Convention
Learn More
Model Indian Juvenile Code
Learn More
NCAI Testimony on Addressing the Needs for Victim Services
Learn More
NCAI Testimony Juvenile Justice in Indian Country
Learn More
NCAI Testimony Juvenile Justice in Indian Country
Learn More
Backgrounder Resilience brief
Learn More
NCAI Comments on Regulations for State Courts and Agencies in Indian Child Custody Proceedings
Learn More
Final ai/an report
Learn More
Policy Insights Brief Stats of VNW
Learn More
Policy Brief for stats on Violence Against Native Women
Learn More
US Senate Letter VAWA Consideration (Duplicate Copies)
Learn More
NCAI Comments IHS SA Policy and Protocol
Learn More