At the Justice Department, recent scandals have dragged public confidence to an all time low. A special prosecutor is now digging into charges that former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales put political partisanship ahead of the law.
Jodi Rave investigates crimes against Native American women
Because of a strange tangle of laws, because of historical precedent, the Justice Department is responsible for investigating and prosecuting major crimes on most reservations. But as the DENVER POST reported in an award-winning investigative series, law enforcement in Indian country has become quote "dangerously dysfunctional." The "Post" depicted a place where terrible crimes are committed, investigations bungled, and prosecutions rare. The result: Indian reservations, already some of the poorest and most crime-plagued communities in America, have become what one Navajo official calls "Lawless Lands." Our colleagues at Expose bring you that story. It's narrated by Sylvia Chase.
I went to a ceremony in South Dakota seven years ago and was helping get wood, and that's all I'm going to say about that part. Anyway, an officer was there to participate and helping get wood with me. He told me what a fellow officer said to him before he left after he'd told his fellow officer where he was going and what he was going to be doing.
Indians are not getting the same justice system that you or I get in Denver, or in New York, or in Boston, or Kansas City, or anywhere else. That, to me, is the most egregious element of this. Is that an entire class of people, based on where they live, is not getting the same services that you and I get.
He said his fellow officer said, "Be sure to get you some of that good Indian p----."
Maybe that's what the rapists tell themselves, who go to the reservations to rape. Maybe the people who hate so much that they want just to hurt someone go to the reservations, because they know they won't get caught, and tell themselves something similar. I don't know what they tell themselves, but I'm sick and tired of it to the marrow of my bones.
The officer there to participate told his "fellow officer" to shove it or words to that effect, and that's what the Justice Department needs to tell these violent offenders - shove it, or go to jail when you act on it.
In honor of my mother, THE FLORA SOMBRERO LIND NAVAJO ENDOWMENT FUND has been set up to accept your donations.
This scholarship endowment has been established at the American Indian College Fund to honor Flora Sombrero Lind, as an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who was born at Inscription House, Arizona of the Many Goats clan circa 1925. This scholarship endowment is funded by Flora's family and friends who want to see Navajo students pursue higher education and carry on their great Navajo heritage.
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About
Native American Netroots
...a forum for the discussion of political, social and economic issues affecting the indigenous peoples of the United States, including their lack of political representation, economic deprivation, health care issues, and the on-going struggle for preservation of identity and cultural history
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.
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Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights News by Brenda Norrell
In honor of my mother, 
