Olivia Potter Persuasive Speech

Summary

Deborah Parker, Vice Chairwoman of Tulip Tribes, addresses the need for renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), highlighting its first attempt to include Native American women. She shares her own traumatic experience and the ongoing vulnerability of Native American women due to jurisdictional issues and lack of funding. The script calls for increased appropriations, clearer jurisdiction, and personal action to combat the high rates of sexual assault in Native American communities and to ensure justice for survivors.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Deborah Parker, Vice Chairwoman of the Tulip Tribes, spoke at a press conference to advocate for the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), highlighting the inclusion of Native American women for the first time.
• 👶 Parker shared her personal trauma of being sexually assaulted as a toddler, emphasizing the ongoing vulnerability of Native American women due to the limitations of tribal courts under VAWA.
• 📈 The script reveals that Native American women experience the highest rates of sexual assault in the U.S., with one in three having experienced rape or attempted rape, according to the Department of Justice.
• 🔍 The lack of awareness and marginalization of Native American peoples contribute to the high rates of sexual assault, with the federal government's underfunding of public safety for Native Americans being a significant issue.
• 🚨 The Bureau of Indian Affairs is chronically underfunded, leading to insufficient law enforcement on tribal lands and difficulties in accessing forensic exams for sexual assault victims.
• 📊 VAWA's adoption by tribes is hindered by high costs and budget constraints, with only 16 out of 573 tribes having adopted it as of January 2018, leaving the majority without the ability to prosecute non-Indians for sexual violence.
• 🏛️ Jurisdictional issues between federal, state, and tribal courts complicate the prosecution of sexual violence crimes on tribal lands, with unclear accountability leading to a lack of intervention.
• 📜 Critical laws like VAWA and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 have limitations that restrict tribal court authority, allowing most aggressors to go unprosecuted.
• 🌐 The marginalization of Native American women and the perpetuation of rape culture are highlighted as significant effects of the systemic issues in addressing sexual violence.
• 🛡️ Solutions proposed include increasing appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, amending VAWA to allow prosecution of strangers, and dedicating funds from sexual violence crimes to victim assistance.
• 📢 The script calls for personal action as well, encouraging the use of social media and community conversations to raise awareness and advocate for change, with the hashtag #one-in-three.

Q & A

What did Deborah Parker, the vice chairwoman of the Tulip Tribes, speak about at the press conference on April 25th, 2012?

Deborah Parker spoke in support of the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and shared her personal story of being sexually abused as a toddler by a man who was never convicted.

Why is the inclusion of Native American women in the VAWA significant?

The inclusion of Native American women in the VAWA is significant because it addresses the high rates of sexual assault they face, which has been largely overlooked due to a lack of awareness and marginalization of indigenous peoples.

What is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and why does it not fully protect Native American women?

The VAWA is a piece of legislation aimed at combating domestic violence and sexual assault. However, it does not fully protect Native American women because tribal courts do not have authority over crimes committed between strangers, which leaves many perpetrators unpunished.

What is the reported rate of sexual assault among Native American women according to the Department of Justice?

According to the Department of Justice, one in three Native American women have experienced rape or attempted rape.

What are some of the causes of sexual violence against Native American women as mentioned in the script?

Some causes include lack of appropriations for law enforcement on tribal lands, jurisdictional issues between federal, state, and tribal courts, and the marginalization of Native American peoples.

How does the underfunding of the Bureau of Indian Affairs impact the response to sexual violence on tribal lands?

The underfunding results in a lack of law enforcement and resources, such as forensic exams, making it difficult for victims to receive timely and appropriate care and justice.

What is the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 and how does it relate to the jurisdictional issues affecting the prosecution of sexual violence?

The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 was designed to enhance the ability of tribal justice systems to respond to and prevent crime. However, it complicates the jurisdictional relationship between federal, state, and tribal courts, often leaving sexual violence crimes unaddressed.

What are some of the effects of the ongoing sexual violence against Native American women?

The effects include continued marginalization, perpetuation of rape culture, life-threatening consequences, and a high likelihood of repeated victimization.

What solutions are suggested at the governmental level to address sexual violence against Native American women?

Solutions include increasing appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, amending the VAWA to allow prosecution of strangers, dedicating fines from sexual violence crimes to victim assistance, and establishing a deferential standard of review for tribal court decisions.

What personal actions are suggested to help raise awareness and combat sexual violence against Native American women?

Personal actions include using social media to spread awareness with the hashtag #one-in-three, engaging in conversations within communities about the issue, and urging local officials to take action.

What is the overarching message of Deborah Parker's speech regarding the treatment of Native American women and sexual violence?

The overarching message is that justice should not stop at reservation lines and that there is an urgent need to address and stop the cycle of sexual violence against Native American women.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Advocacy for Native American Women's Safety

Deborah Parker, Vice Chairwoman of the Tulip Tribes, spoke at a net press conference on April 25th, 2012, advocating for the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which sought to include Native American women for the first time. She shared her personal story of being sexually assaulted as a toddler by a man who was never convicted. Despite efforts to bring sexual assault into the spotlight, Native Americans are often left out of the conversation due to a lack of awareness and marginalization. The Justice Department reports that one in three Native American women have experienced rape or attempted rape. The VAWA does not grant tribal courts authority over crimes between strangers, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs is underfunded, leading to a lack of law enforcement on tribal lands. The VAWA's adoption by tribes is hindered by high costs, with only 16 tribes adopting it by January 2018, leaving the majority without the ability to prosecute non-Indians for sexual violence.

05:02

😔 The Plight of Native American Women and the VAWA

The second paragraph delves into the complexities and inadequacies of the justice system for Native American women. It discusses the jurisdictional issues between federal, state, and tribal courts, which often result in a lack of intervention and justice for sexual violence survivors. The VAWA and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 have limitations that complicate tribal court authority, particularly regarding non-recidivist offenders and crimes committed on tribal lands. The paragraph also highlights the marginalization and high rates of sexual assault among Native American women, the impact of which is profound and life-threatening. It emphasizes the need for governmental action, such as increasing appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and amending the VAWA to allow for the prosecution of strangers and provide victim assistance. Personal solutions are also suggested, such as raising awareness and urging local officials to take action.

10:03

🙌 Collective Action Against Sexual Violence

The final paragraph calls for collective action to address the cycle of sexual violence against Native American women. It emphasizes the need to stop this cycle because justice should not be confined by reservation lines. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, encouraging the audience to take scripts detailing the steps that Congress and the Indian justice system must take to protect Native American women, to use social media to spread awareness with the hashtag #one-in-three, and to start conversations within their communities about the epidemic of sexual violence. The paragraph ends with a powerful statement about the importance of addressing this issue to prevent further victimization of Native American women.

Keywords

💡Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a piece of legislation in the United States that aims to end violence against women. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the renewal of VAWA and its significance for Native American women. The script mentions that for the first time, the Act sought to include Native American women, highlighting its importance in addressing their vulnerability to sexual violence.

💡Native American women

Native American women are a focal point in the video, as they are disproportionately affected by sexual violence. The script emphasizes their vulnerability and the need for inclusion in policies like the VAWA. It also discusses the high rates of sexual assault among this demographic and the importance of recognizing their unique challenges within the broader conversation on sexual violence.

💡Sexual assault

Sexual assault is a critical term in the script, representing the main issue being addressed. It is defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. The video discusses the prevalence of sexual assault among Native American women and the systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing justice.

💡Tribal courts

Tribal courts are the judicial systems within Native American tribes. The script discusses the limitations of tribal courts, particularly their lack of authority over crimes committed between strangers, which is a significant factor in the lack of justice for Native American women who experience sexual violence.

💡Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction refers to the legal authority to govern or legislate. In the context of the video, it highlights the complex relationship between federal, state, and tribal jurisdictions, which often leads to confusion and a lack of intervention in cases of sexual violence against Native American women.

💡Underfunding

Underfunding is a key issue discussed in the script, particularly in relation to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the impact it has on law enforcement and public safety on tribal lands. The lack of appropriations contributes to the inability of tribes to prosecute sexual violence cases and provide necessary resources for victims.

💡Rape culture

Rape culture is a societal context where sexual violence is normalized and excused. The script uses this term to describe the ongoing marginalization of Native American women and the perpetuation of sexual violence within their communities, emphasizing the need to address and change these attitudes.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty in this context refers to the self-governance and independence of Native American tribes. The script discusses the need to balance tribal sovereignty with the need for federal intervention to address the issue of sexual violence, particularly in terms of granting tribal courts more authority.

💡Awareness

Awareness is a key concept in the script, as it relates to the recognition and understanding of the issue of sexual violence against Native American women. The video calls for increased awareness to help bring attention to this often overlooked issue and to start conversations within communities.

💡Justice

Justice is a central theme in the video, as it relates to the pursuit of fairness and accountability in the treatment of sexual violence cases involving Native American women. The script discusses the barriers to justice, such as underfunding and jurisdictional issues, and calls for reforms to ensure that justice is served.

💡Marginalization

Marginalization refers to the act of excluding or treating a group as unimportant or insignificant. In the script, it is used to describe the treatment of Native American women in the context of sexual violence, where their experiences and needs are often overlooked or dismissed.

Highlights

Deborah Parker, Vice Chairwoman of Tulip Tribes, spoke at a press conference supporting the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which sought to include Native American women for the first time.

Parker shared her personal story of being raped as a toddler by a man who was never convicted.

Native American women remain vulnerable due to the VAWA not granting tribal courts authority over crimes between strangers.

One in three Native American women have experienced rape or attempted rape, according to the Justice Department.

The lack of a universally accepted term for indigenous peoples in the US leads to the use of various terms in different contexts.

Native Americans face sexual violence justice that feels out of reach due to lack of appropriations and jurisdictional issues.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is chronically underfunded, resulting in a lack of law enforcement on tribal lands.

Victims of sexual assault in some areas must travel by boat or plane to receive a forensic exam due to lack of resources.

Only 16 tribes have adopted the VAWA as of January 2018, leaving 97% of tribes unable to prosecute non-Indians for sexual violence.

The complex relationship between federal, state, and tribal jurisdiction complicates accountability for crimes on tribal lands.

Critical laws like the VAWA and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 limit tribal court authority, allowing most aggressors to go unprosecuted.

Reservations are described as a hunting ground for non-native men to abuse Native women due to the lack of legal protection.

Continued marginalization of Native American women and the perpetuation of rape culture are significant effects of the current system.

Systematic underfunding and convoluted jurisdiction obstruct justice for victims of sexual violence.

Sexual violence is life-threatening, with a high likelihood of re-victimization for Native American women on tribal lands.

Governmental solutions include increasing appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and amending the VAWA to allow prosecution of strangers.

Personal solutions involve raising awareness and urging local officials to take action through social media and community discussions.

Deborah Parker's story emphasizes the importance of addressing the cycle of sexual violence against Native American women.

Transcripts

on April 25th 2012

Deborah Parker in vice chairwoman of the

tulip tribes spoke out of the net press

conference to support the renewal of the

Violence Against Women Act which for the

first time sought to include Native

American women

Parker bravely shared her story about

how she was great as a toddler by a man

who was never convicted she recounted I

was the size of an approximately two and

a half feet couch cushion which is where

he raped me six years later Native

American women remains profoundly

vulnerable as the Violence Against Women

Act also known as the P AWA does not

allow tribal courts with the authority

over crimes committed between two

strangers hashtag me to have helped

bring the sexual assault into the

spotlight

however Native Americans are largely

left out of this conversation despite

having the highest rates of sexual

assault in the country largely due to a

lack of awareness and the persistent

marginalization of think of American

peoples as a result the Justice

Department reports that one in three

Native American women have experienced

rape or attempted rape all women have

the right to be free and safe from

sexual violence and unfortunately

stories like Parker's are far to come in

no universally accepted term is embraced

by all indigenous peoples in the US and

in order to best respect and represent

the diversity of this population a

variety terms will be used throughout

the speech according to their most

appropriate context so today we will

examine the egregious causes the sexual

violence and pain of American women then

turn to understand its devastating

effects before finally laying out some

solutions to see why as NPR reports on

November 7th on the November 7 2017 that

Byrne native

Americans facing sexual violence justice

just feels out of reach sexual violence

remains pervasive in Indian country to

do a lack of appropriations and

jurisdictional issues the federal

government is obligated by the US

Constitution to provide adequate funding

that means the basic needs of Native

Americans including Public Safety

leading us to our first cause lack of

appropriations the Bureau of Indian

Affairs its chronically underfunded

resulting in a lack of law enforcement

on tribal lands as the office on

violence against women 2017 tribal

consultation report explains in some

areas a victim must travel by boat or

plane to receive a sexual assault

forensic exam sexual violence is

profoundly traumatizing by not having

resources readily available this vs.

victims to do the last thing they need

go directly from assault to exam via a

road trip or accept the alternative no

justice insufficient funds make it

especially difficult for tribes to adopt

the P AWA as NPR reports On June 25th

2015 adopting the active box type of

Nola's hiring more attorneys judges and

paying for more prison beds with deadly

declining budgets tribes are discouraged

by these high costs as of January 2018

only 16 tribes have adopted it

this means 557 tribes ninety-seven

percent of all tribes in America still

cannot prosecute non-indians for sexual

violence much of the computer revolving

around the indian justice system oil

it cost jurisdiction as Amnesty

International discusses in their

landmark 2007 report themes of injustice

the complex relationship between federal

state and tribal jurisdiction deplete

tribal authority essentially

understanding who is accountable to what

crime under whose jurisdiction required

answering a series of questions such as

whether the victim and/or accused it's a

member of a federally recognized tribe

and whether the offense occurred on

tribal lands the answers to these

questions are often so unclear that no

one intervenes denying justice to

survivors of sexual violence further

critical laws which of the VAW a in the

tribal Law and Order Act of 2010

complicate this relationship as Kathleen

Radley Shafer explains in her November 9

2017 article published in the Notre Dame

Law Review limitations in both extra

strips of tribal court authority she

notes that only recidivist can be

considered and as federal courts have

generally failed to try a large number

of offenders of hust on tribal land this

grant of authority is a facade

permitting most aggressors to go

unprosecuted tribal advocate kimberly

norris rerum described reservations to

the washington post on february 8 2014

as a hunting ground for white non-native

men to rape abuse and even murder Native

women as the VAW a only protects indians

who know they're arrested aggressors

predators know they can proceed

unpunished

masturbating to principal effects

continued marginalization of Native

American women and the perpetuation of

rape culture first the continued

marginalization of native Amer

according to a December 20 of 2018

report by the u.s. Commission on civil

rights Native American women are four

times more likely to be sexually

assaulted than the national average

systematic underfunding in the

unnecessary convoluting of jurisdiction

persistently obstructs justice for

victims of sexual violence the

previously cited tribal consultation

report reveals a 2016 audit of just 19

Alaskan police department found nearly

four thousand unprocessed rape kits by

failing to provide adequate funds the

federal government is essentially

telling Native American women we're

sorry your rates just too expensive

Carolina toner the Tohono o odham nation

told NBC left-field On January 8 2018

that her suicide attempt started around

age eight she thought I'm just going to

be around people raping or molesting me

I just want to leave as our second

effect demonstrates sexual violence is

life threatening centuries of aggressors

going 3 has perpetuated rape culture

within Native American communities as

Adam partying coming from brownej point

out in a new 2016 issue of the

professional counselor journal once a

Native American woman living on tribal

lands is exposed to sexual violence

likelihood of her becoming a victim

again it's as high as 80% to stop this

vicious cycle of sexual violence we can

look to solutions on both the

governmental and personal level

first at the governmental level Congress

must increase appropriations to the

Bureau of Indian Affairs and I'm in the

VA AWA to allow for the prosecution of

strangers and relaxing restrictions

grants of authority to provide victim

assistance the indian justice system

should dedicate fines with sexual

violence crimes committed on tribal

lands to a designated victims bus

establish at the office on violence

against women district and tribal courts

rarely Schaffer outlines a deferential

standard of review in examining tribal

court decisions and this federal courts

would be able to protect individuals

against any possible unfair treatment

while still not interfering with tribal

sovereignty by passing a law in stating

this system Congress can begin to return

the powers of the Indian justice system

back to where they belong and by tribal

courts however give in today's political

climate we must consider some personal

solutions because of my experience

working in a congressional office I know

the impact costs make today I have call

scripts with me to detail the steps

Congress and the Indian justice system

must take to protect Native American

women please let your voices be heard by

taking a script with you after the round

and urging your local officials to take

action additionally I have buttons and

pamphlets with suggestive social media

posts a detail that that to help spread

awareness placing funds on your personal

items and use the hashtag one-in-three

to start a conversation with your

community about this sexual violence

epidemic because essentially if we don't

start talking now Native American women

will continue to fall victim to this

incessant cycle of sexual violence when

Parker bravely shared her story she

announced that she like many others is

the Native American statistic a survivor

of sexual violence her question then and

has always been why is my life and the

life of so many other Native American

women less important today we have

examined the causes effects and

solutions the sex

violence against Native American women

no one should have to endure the pain

and suffering that Deborah Caroline and

hundreds of thousands of Native American

women have had to endure together we

must stop this cycle of sexual violence

because justice should not stop at

reservation lines

[Applause]