Pretty Bird Woman House

Pretty Bird Woman House is a shelter that serves the women of Standing Rock Indian reservation in South Dakota, USA. Two women who work at the house presented on a panel I attended at Netroots Nation 2008 last Friday, July 18th. Alongside Amnesty International’s Amanda Flott (Report Here), Georgia Little Shield and Tinnekkia Williams spoke about The Maze of Injustice that is violence against women on America’s reservations.

In between feeling stunned and trying not to break into loud sobbing, I realized it wasn’t being documented and managed to capture a few clips. Unfortunately, I only caught Tinnekia’s introduction.

A few facts really stood out for me.

In 86 percent of the reported cases of rape or sexual assault, the perpetrators are non-native men.

This exacerbates the issue of jurisdiction. If a woman is native and the perpetrator is non-native:

Offender Victim Jurisdiction
If listed in 18 U.S.C. § 1153, there is federal
jurisdiction, exclusive of the state, but probably
not of the tribe. If the listed offense is not
otherwise defined and punished by federal law
applicable in the special maritime and territorial
jurisdiction of the United States, state law is
assimilated. If not listed in 18 U.S.C. § 1153,
there is federal jurisdiction, exclusive of the state,
but not of the tribe, under 18 U.S.C. § 1152. If the
offense is not defined and punished by a statute
applicable within the special maritime and territorial
jurisdiction of the United States, state law is assimilated
under 18 U.S.C. § 13.

Uncross your eyes because it gets even more confusing, to the point where officers of different law enforcement agencies will argue with each other and walk away from a victim without doing anything. If a state highway runs through your reservation, add another agency. Look Under Focus Sheets.

Often, no official of any kind will show up after an assault. If one does, it may be days or weeks after the assault. Indian Health Services does not stock rape kits so victims must be driven to other healthcare facilities off the reservation, many hours of travel away.

Both Georgia Little Shield and Tinnekkia Williams were so grateful to all the netroots donors and their dedication was very moving. They didn't ask for anything during their panel, but I'm going to ask for donations for them here.