Continuing the Fight for Tribal Justice and Safety

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

National Congress of
American Indians

WASHINGTON, DC - On Monday, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) recognized Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli for his commitment to tribal justice and safety. He was awarded the Governmental Leadership Award at the 13th Annual NCAI Leadership Awards Ceremony.

Thomas Perrelli

The NCAI is in session this week in Washington, DC for its Executive Council Winter Session.

Perrelli made these remarks at the awards ceremony:

“I am here for really two reasons. First, it is because of all of you and the people I have met on tribal lands across the country and in Washington throughout the last decade. Your and their stories inspired me to do this work, to try to improve public safety in tribal communities across the country, to work to resolve longstanding injustices no matter how intractable, to push the Department of Justice and other agencies to truly fulfill their trust responsibilities, and to build partnerships with tribal communities so that together we can improve the lives of Indian people.”

“The second is that I have the great fortune to work for an Administration that understands the importance of meeting its obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives. President Obama has shown his commitment to strengthening tribal nations from his first days in office, and at the Department of Justice, the Attorney General has led by encouraging and supporting our work on behalf of tribal communities. Without their leadership, none of the things that led you to honor me today could have occurred. And none of it would have occurred without the great team at the Department of Justice.”

Perrelli has been instrumental in the coordination with federal partners, local tribal leaders and law enforcement. His efforts have led to the enactment of the Tribal Law & Order Act and the hiring of additional assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute crime in Indian Country across the country.

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