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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A MULTIAGENCY STUDY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST

NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN; SUPPORTING THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF

THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON BEHALF OF NATIVE

AMERICAN WOMEN, CHILDREN AND ELDERS WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO

VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, BATTERING AND STALKING.

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has a Native American

population whose families, including infants, children, youth,

adults and elders, suffer at increased rates from intimate

partner violence, family violence and stalking; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state to urge

a collaborative response to address the problems of women,

children and elders who have been subjected to such violence;

and

WHEREAS, Native American traditions honor, respect and

revere women as the essential life-giving force, as guardians

of cultural attributes and endowed with the knowledge to

sustain and deliver traditional values for generations to

come; and

WHEREAS, Native American women experience high rates of

domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking within New

Mexico and across the United States; and

WHEREAS, culturally compatible shelters, resources and

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rehabilitative institutions are insufficient to meet the needs

of tribal communities and not conducive to the health and

well-being of all family members and intimate partners; and

WHEREAS, the prevalence of violent crimes against Native

American women by non-native perpetrators poses additional

legal complications, as non-native perpetrators sometimes are

left unprosecuted and unpunished because of jurisdictional

loopholes; and

WHEREAS, the future of the state of New Mexico rests in

its protection of all constituents through its legal

structures, state departments and systems of governance to

ensure the safety, quality of life and well-being of women;

and

WHEREAS, making it possible for Native American women,

their children and elders to live in an environment free of

violence, sexual assault and stalking is not only important

but also critical; and

WHEREAS, the Indian affairs department, children, youth

and families department and department of health have the

capacity and resources to examine and assess the scope of

issues associated with disproportionate rates of violence

against Native American women;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state

increase awareness of violence, stalking and sexual assault

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against Native American women; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives

request the Indian affairs department to convene an

interagency working group on Native American domestic violence

that includes its staff and staff from the children, youth and

families department and department of health to study the

specific domestic violence problems of Native American women

and to pinpoint culturally important distinctions in

successful treatment of Native American women, children and

elders who have suffered domestic violence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interagency working

group on Native American domestic violence report its findings

and conclusions to the interim Indian affairs committee during

the 2007 interim; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interagency working

group on Native American domestic violence engage in

collaborative efforts to end violence against Native American

women; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of Indian affairs, the secretary

of children, youth and families and the secretary of health.