US Senator Daniel Akaka stands with Native women advocates during a rally for passing a comprehensive VAWA reauthorization. Standing with Senator Akaka, from left to right, are Jacqueline Agtuca, Public Policy Director, Clan Star, Juana Majel Dixon, NCAI First Vice President, Deborah Parker, Tulalip Tribes Vice President, and Terri Henry, Co-chair of the NCAI Task Force on Violence Against Women and Councilwoman for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Washington, D.C. – Throughout last week, NCAI’s prominent female leaders and advocates for protecting Native women came to Washington, D.C. from across Indian Country to deliver a powerful message to decision makers on Capitol Hill: protect Native women and pass VAWA now. During the week, tribal leaders and representatives, including members of NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women, met with legislators and held public events to raise awareness about the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) legislation.

View Slideshow from VAWA Rally.

The group, led by co-chairs of NCAI’s Task Force on Violence Against Women, Juana Majel Dixon and Terri Henry visited members of Congress from in both chambers and from both sides of the aisle – including Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL), and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The tribal leaders delivered a simple message: “Pass a VAWA that protects all victims now!” in hopes that the Senate will resolve the procedural problems in S.1925 and bring a bill that protects Native victims to the discussion table with the House.

The week of events also included a rally in which tribal leaders, members of Congress, advocates, and allies gathered on Capitol Hill to stand in solidarity against the House’s recent passage of H.R. 4970- a version of the VAWA that excludes protections for certain groups of victims, including Native Americans. The rally marked the start of the national “10 Days of Action for VAWA” effort, led by the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women. Throughout the ten day period, ally organizations and advocates promised to work to raise awareness about the importance of an inclusive version of the bill, urging Congress to support a VAWA that protects all women.

“If Native American rights and tribal provisions are not put into the current VAWA, as they were in S. 1925, we will all pay a price- not just the Native Women,” NCAI’s First Vice President Juana Majel Dixon remarked, “We can save VAWA now.”