NCJ Number
168138
Date Published
1996
Length
2 pages
Annotation
In August 1994 Oklahoma tribal leaders and Federal officials signed a pact intended to counter Indian child abuse.
Abstract
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno noted in her statement praising the pact that because of jurisdictional voids, Indian child-abuse cases often have not reached Federal prosecutors' attention. Under the new pact, child abuse investigation teams are planned for Oklahoma; the teams include law enforcement officers, counselors, and medical and social service workers. The agreement formalizes guidelines and protocol for handling physical and sexual abuse cases that involve Indian children or abusers on Indian land. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, who signed the pact, said, "We're very happy. We have taken a very aggressive path to regroup (tribal) law enforcement and judicial systems. We've had to work with Federal authorities to provide protection for our people. This formalizes what we've done already." George Tallchief, president of the Osage Nation, said, "It is great to see how this has evolved. For years we've known of the tragedies that have occurred with young people." Ron Grinnell, division manager of Indian Health Services, said, "The rates of this type of crime have been alarming. We'd like to minimize those and the trauma on the children."