31st Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference Focuses On Partnership And Justice

IGNACIO - Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch hosted the 31^st Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference in Ignacio, Colorado this week.

The three-day event, held at the Sky Ute Casino Resort, focused on collaboration, commitment, and relationship building between the Department of Justice, Offices of the United States Attorneys in the region, and tribal communities.

"Our office and the Department of Justice have a long-held commitment to tribal communities here in Colorado and across the west," said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. "I am proud of the work we do to support our Indian Country partners and appreciate our ability to come together to better our working relationships."

Started in 1992, The Four Corners Indian Country Conference focuses on prosecution, justice, and victims' issues in Indian Country, specifically in the "four corners" states of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The District of Colorado was proud to highlight additional efforts put in place this year to support the law enforcement on tribal lands including the hiring of additional federal prosecutors, law enforcement trainings, and successful prosecutions which sought justice for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Colorado is home to two federally recognized tribes, the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute. In addition to critical meetings focused on law enforcement and legal issues, the conference featured speakers, cultural presentations, and a local tribal artist to help attendees celebrate the rich cultural legacy of these tribes.

Next year's Four Corners Indian Country Conference will be held in New Mexico.