Press Releases

Representatives Gwen Moore and Sharice Davids Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing the Crisis of Violence Against Native Women

In some tribal communities, Native women face murder rates up to ten times the national average. Despite the high rates of sexual and fatal violence Native women experience, there is a shortage of data on the number of missing Indigenous women. Today, Congresswoman Moore and Congresswoman Sharice Davids led their colleagues in a bipartisan resolution to recognize the crisis of violence against Native women.

“My Native sisters are suffering, facing one of the highest rates of violence in the country. It’s on Congress to acknowledge the epidemic of violence against Native women, so we can take meaningful action to save Native women’s lives,” said Congresswoman Moore.

“For far too long, violence against Native women has gone overlooked and underestimated,” said Representative Sharice Davids. “I’m proud to join this resolution with my colleagues acknowledging our need to meaningfully address this devastating crisis and take continued steps towards providing resources for Tribes to protect Native women, their families, and their communities.”

"My late wife and my daughters are Alaska Native. Condemning and preventing violence against Indigenous people is not just the right thing to do; it is personal," said Congressman Don Young. "Today, I am proud to help introduce a resolution recognizing the disproportionate, tragic violence committed against Native women. The goal of our resolution is simple: Ensuring we recognize the crisis of violence against Native women, which will help us motivate one another to take action. Protecting Native American women and girls from heinous crimes such as dating violence, sexual assault, and other atrocities is not a Republican or Democrat issue. That is why I am proud to partner with Representative Gwen Moore on this resolution close to my heart. As the 117th Congress continues, I will continue prioritizing the protection of women and girls in Native communities across the country."

“I am grateful to my colleagues for introducing this resolution to recognize the crisis of violence against Native women. This resolution is especially critical because Congress was silent on this crisis for far too long,” said Rep. Gallego. “While Congress broke its silence last year to pass Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act and take steps towards upholding our responsibility to keep Native women safe, much more work remains. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to end violence directed at Native women and girls.”

“We face an ongoing national crisis of unpunished violence against Native women, and Congress has to act now. The Violence Against Women Act passed by the House in March takes many of the right steps, and the Senate should act on it without delay. Until we resolve jurisdictional disputes, mandate real data collection efforts and make federal criminal databases available to tribal governments, we’re choosing to let this cycle continue. I wholeheartedly support this resolution and am working closely with my colleagues to stop the cycle of violence against Native women,” said Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva.

NCAI President, Fawn Sharp identified the need to address the crisis of violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women as a high priority for Indian Country for the 117th Congress in her recent testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “Tribal communities continue to be plagued by the highest crime victimization rates in the country. The complicated jurisdictional framework at play in Indian Country, which limits tribal authority to prosecute non-Indians, continues to undermine safety for victims of violence in tribal communities. NCAI calls on Congress to reauthorize VAWA in the 117th Congress with key provisions addressing tribal jurisdictional issues.”

“The crisis of violence against Native women persists at alarming rates due to the complex jurisdictional barriers placed on Tribal Nations by the federal government. Congress must honor its trust responsibility to protect and promote tribal sovereignty, which includes assisting tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Native women. We support this resolution to recognize and end this crisis of violence, and we ask Congress to take meaningful action to ensure Tribes have the resources and authority to do so,” said Lucy Simpson (Diné), Executive Director, National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.

Read the text of the resolution here.