Public Safety and Justice

NCAI’s Public Safety and Justice portfolio advocates for federal laws and policies that enhance Tribal Nations’ inherent sovereignty and support relationships with federal and state governments to ensure safety and justice within Tribal Nations, protect the welfare of their citizens, and preserve accountability within their communities.

Public safety and justice are core functions of Tribal governance and essential to the protection of Tribal sovereignty, community well-being, and cultural survival. For generations, Tribal Nations have worked to uphold law and order within their communities, often under extremely difficult conditions shaped by complex legal frameworks and historical injustices. Federal policies dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries — including the General Crimes Act, the Major Crimes Act, and Public Law 280 — have fractured jurisdiction and undermined the authority of Tribal governments to respond effectively to crime in their own communities.

Today, Tribal Nations face a public safety crisis characterized by disproportionately high rates of violence, especially against Native women, children, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) individuals; persistent gaps in law enforcement coverage; and underfunded Tribal courts and detention facilities. Despite these challenges, Tribal governments continue to exercise their inherent sovereignty to build justice systems that reflect their values and protect their citizens. Comprehensive policy support is urgently needed to restore Tribal jurisdiction, close resource gaps, and ensure Tribal Nations have the tools necessary to deliver fair, culturally grounded justice on their lands.

Focus Areas and Goals:

To address these challenges, the NCAI Policy Team focuses its advocacy on the following areas:

  1. Tribal Sovereignty and Jurisdiction

    1. Advocating for the restoration and affirmation of Tribal jurisdiction over criminal matters, especially in cases involving non-Indian offenders on Tribal lands.

    2. Supporting implementation and expansion of Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) under VAWA, which recognizes Tribal authority to prosecute certain crimes committed by non-Tribal citizens.

  2. Law Enforcement and Justice System Funding

    1. Calling for equitable and sustained federal funding for Tribal law enforcement, courts, detention facilities, and reentry programs through programs such as Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services and Tribal Justice Support intiatives.

    2. Addressing staffing shortages, outdated infrastructure, and training gaps that limit the effectiveness of Tribal justice systems.

  3. Tribal Courts

    1. Tribal courts are the cornerstone of justice systems in Indian country, exercising civil and criminal jurisdiction and resolving disputes in ways that reflect Tribal law, custom, and tradition.

    2. Support for Tribal courts includes expanding access to resources for judicial training, infrastructure development, legal assistance, development of alternative courts, and technological modernization.

  4. Intergovernmental Coordination

    1. Promoting cross-deputization, data sharing, and coordination among Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to reduce barriers to effective law enforcement and emergency response.

    2. Ensuring Tribal inclusion in national and regional law enforcement task forces and networks.

  5. Violence Prevention and Victim Services

    1. Supporting culturally relevant and trauma-informed services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

    2. Advocating for full funding of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside from the Crime Victims Fund and support for Tribal implementation of AMBER Alerts and other rapid response tools.

  6. Juvenile Justice and Rehabilitation

    1. Promoting alternatives to detention for Native youth, expanding community-based diversion programs, and investing in culturally grounded healing and rehabilitation services.

    2. Ensuring that Tribal youth have access to age-appropriate, trauma-informed justice interventions.

  7. Data Sovereignty and Transparency

    1. Supporting Tribal control over justice-related data and promoting accurate, comprehensive data collection on crime, victimization, and law enforcement needs in Indian country.

    2. Enhancing the federal government’s accountability in tracking and responding to public safety needs in Tribal communities.

Associated Organizations:

NARF

Alaska Native Women's Resource Center

National Indigenous Women's Resource Center

National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

Associated Committees and Subcommittees:

Litigation and Governance Committee

Jurisdiction and Tribal Government Subcommittee

Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee

Associated Task Forces:

Addiction Task Force

Cannabis Task Force

Large Land Base Tribal Nations Task Force

Peyote

Tribal Border Task Force

Two Spirit Task Force

VAW Task Force

Associated Legislation:

  • Tribal Law and Order Act (2010)

  • VAWA Reauthorization (2022)

  • Public Law 93-280

  • H.R. 4712 Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act (2025)

  • H.R. 1010 Bridging Agency Data Gaps and& Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (BADGES) (2025)

  • H.R. 3773 Protections for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today Act (2025)

  • S. 3041 Tribal Warrant Fairness Act (2025)

  • S. 390 BADGES for Native Communities Act

  • S. 3041 - Tribal Warrant Fairness Act

Past Year Achievements 2026:

  • Developed and hosted a preparatory webinar for Tribal leadership prior to the Office on Violence against Women (OVW) Consultation.

  • Hosted a Tribal Leader Caucus the evening before the OVW Consultation.

  • Led visits to the U.S.H.R. and DOJ with Tribal leaders, advocating for the passage of key legislation that would promote public safety in Indian country.

  • Regularly hosted task force meetings of the NCAI VAW Task Force, which leads a coalition of Tribal organizations combating domestic and sexual violence against women.

Next Year Goals 2027:

  • Continue supporting NCAI Task Force efforts.

  • Organize preparatory sessions prior to consultations with OVW, the Office of Tribal Justice, and the DOJ.

  • Advocate for the introduction and passage of key public safety legislation to reduce crime, mitigate victimization, and expand Tribal jurisdiction.

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