JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES POLICY ON TRIBAL MEMBER USE OF EAGLE FEATHERS

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 12, 2012 – The Department of Justice announced a policy addressing the ability of members of federally recognized Indian tribes to possess or use eagle feathers. The policy covers all federally protected birds, bird feathers and bird parts.

Federal wildlife laws generally criminalize the killing of eagles and other migratory birds and the possession or commercialization of the feathers and other parts of such birds. At the same time, the DOJ recognizes that eagles play a unique and important role in the religious and cultural life of many Indian tribes.

The policy provides that, consistent with the DOJ’s traditional exercise of its discretion, a member of a federally recognized tribe engaged only in the following types of conduct will not be subject to prosecution:

• Possessing, using, wearing or carrying federally protected birds, bird feathers or other bird parts (federally protected bird parts);

• Traveling domestically with federally protected bird parts or, if tribal members obtain and comply with necessary permits, traveling internationally with such items;

• Picking up naturally molted or fallen feathers found in the wild, without molesting or disturbing federally protected birds or their nests;

• Giving or loaning federally protected bird parts to other members of federally recognized tribes, without compensation of any kind;

• Exchanging federally protected bird parts for federally protected bird parts with other members of federally recognized tribes, without compensation of any kind;

• Providing the feathers or other parts of federally protected birds to craftspersons who are members of federally recognized tribes to be fashioned into objects for eventual use in tribal religious or cultural activities.

The Department of Justice will continue to prosecute tribal members and non-members alike for violating federal laws that prohibit the killing of eagles and other migratory birds or the buying or selling of the feathers or other parts of such birds.

“We view the Administration’s new policy as a positive step toward addressing the use and possession of these sacred items. We are hopeful that this policy will protect the rights of all Native peoples to practice their religion without fear of interference by federal officials,” said Robert Holden, Deputy Director of NCAI, “After decades of confusion, this new policy clarifies the position of the federal government in a manner that strikes a more equitable balance between the rights of Native American practitioners and the preservation of eagles.”

To view the policy and a fact sheet on the policy, visit: http://www.justice.gov/tribal.

AIHEC, DOJ, DOI, BIE PARTNER TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO END SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST YOUNG AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN

Tribal Colleges and Universities Support Vice President Joe Biden’s “1is2 Many” Initiative and U.S. Departments of Interior, Justice, and Education Efforts

Washington, D.C. - Oct. 10, 2012 —Young women ages 16–24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault in the United States, particularly American Indian women whose numbers are typically higher. To help prevent and address this pervasive problem, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) along with the U.S. Departments of Interior, Justice, and Education are partnering on a nationwide campaign called “Restoring the Circle: Ending Violence and Abuse on Tribal College and

University Campuses.” Restoring the Circle is an initiative of the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, currently Kevin K. Washburn, to stop violence against women on TCU campuses and to help keep them safe.

Through the new initiative, three Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)—Haskell Indian Nations University, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, and United Tribes Technical College—are taking the lead to proactively address sexual assault and dating violence on TCU campuses.

The Restoring the Circle campaign has an ambitious goal of ensuring that young American Indian women can pursue their education free from violence. As such, the three TCUs—which have a combined reach to approximately 3,600 American Indian students—are committed to:

1. Creating campus-wide policies for students and faculty that address gender based violence and sexual violence;

2. Developing response protocols for campus police and dormitory/housing programs;

3. Organizing awareness training for students, faculty, and the entire campus community; and

4. Initiating a public relations campaign to stop gender based abuse and sexual violence.

INDSPIRE ANNOUNCES 2013 INDSPIRE AWARD RECIPIENTS

October 16, 2012: Ohsweken, ON – 14 outstanding Indigenous Canadians today were named as recipients of the 2013 Indspire Awards. Formerly called the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, the Indspire Awards have, for 20 years, celebrated the significant contributions of Indigenous people in Canada.

This year, a national jury comprised of former Award recipients reviewed all the nominations and selected 10 career achievement award winners, three youth award winners (First Nation, Inuit and Métis) and one lifetime achievement award. The selection is a confidential process that is based on the highest merits of fairness, honesty and respect to the hundreds of deserving nominees.

“Each and every one of our Award recipients is a role model and a leader who has made a profound impact in their communities and across Canada,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. “By honouring their achievements, we continue to inspire others to demonstrate their own potential — which is why the work we do at Indspire with First Nation, Inuit and Métis students is so essential.”

The 2013 Indspire Award recipients are:

Jacqueline Guest, Alberta – Arts

Charlie Evalik, Nunavut – Business & Commerce

Winston Wuttunee, Saskatchewan – Culture, Heritage & Spirituality

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, British Columbia – Education

Lloyd (Sonny) Flett, Alberta – Environment & Natural Resources

Ruby Jacobs, Ontario – Health

Viola Robinson, Nova Scotia – Law & Justice

Duane Smith, Northwest Territories – Politics

Gail Cyr, Manitoba – Public Service

Theoren Fleury, Manitoba – Sports

Graham Kotowich, Saskatchewan – Métis Youth Award

Gabrielle Scrimshaw, Saskatchewan – First Nation Youth Award

Elizabeth Zarpa, Newfoundland and Labrador – Inuit Youth Award

Alex Van Bibber, Yukon – Lifetime Achievement Award

Indspire will formally recognize these remarkable individuals at a special Indspire Awards gala event on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the Sid Buckwold Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.