United States Attorney’s Office Honors Native American Heritage Month

Spokane, Washington - Each year in November, communities across the United States celebrate National Native American Heritage Month. The Department of Justice also recognizes the tremendous contributions of Native American communities to the rich heritage and culture of Eastern Washington.

The 2024 national theme for Native American Heritage Month is Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership and Service. Consistent with this theme, the U.S. Attorney's Office took part in several community events and presentations throughout November, including in Yakima, Spokane, and at the Gonzaga School of Law.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref, Executive Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Derrig, Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Seal, and Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse attended the Yakama Nation Veteran's Powwow in White Swan, Washington. At the Powwow, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse recognized Missing and Murdered (MMIP) survivors, families, and their advocates in a red dress special and honor song. U.S. Attorney Waldref's efforts to improve public safety in Indian country and the leadership she has demonstrated in improving the federal response to MMIP, including bringing the Northwest MMIP AUSA position to the Eastern District of Washington, also were recognized at the event.

On Friday, November 12, 2024, AUSA Black Horse presented at the Yakima Domestic Violence Coalition Meeting, where AUSA Black Horse discussed the importance of applying a trauma-informed approach to domestic violence and child abuse involving American Indian and Alaska Native survivors. AUSA Black Horse also provided a training regarding culturally sensitive practices for helping victims of violent crimes in Indian country.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, AUSA Bree Black Horse, alongside the Yakama Nation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Washington Attorney General's Office, and the Washington State Patrol took part in a community presentation at the Yakama Nation Winter Lodge. AUSA Black Horse, along with several of our state, federal, local, and Tribal partners shared resources available to families of victims to help them achieve justice for their loved ones.

On November 18, 2024, AUSA Black Horse shared experiences from her legal career and the reasons she was led to serve Tribal communities through her work at the Justice Department with the Spokane Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Later that same evening, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse led a panel discussion at the Gonzaga University School of Law hosted by the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Together, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse discussed the Department of Justice's efforts to address the MMIP crisis and celebrated the advocacy of indigenous women in bringing critical resources to support Tribal justice and address the root causes of the MMIP crisis.

On November 21, 2024, The Justice Management Division (JMD) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Staff and DOJ Office of Tribal Justice hosted a nation-wide virtual program in observance of Native American Heritage Month. AUSA Black Horse presented on her role as an AUSA dedicated to prosecuting MMIP cases in the northwestern United States.

"My office is committing to seeking justice for all who call Eastern Washington home," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "The United States has a special trust relationship with each of the Tribes in Eastern Washington. We will continue to engage in listening sessions and engage in community outreach to ensure victims' voices are heard and their cries for help are answered."

More information on Native American Heritage Month is available at https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ .

Additional information regarding the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force is available at https://www.atg.wa.gov/washington-state-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-people-task-force .