SD session will examine crime in Indian country

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – American Indian tribes in South Dakota have been invited by U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson to join law enforcement for a “listening conference” about crime on Indian reservations.

The session Thursday is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Justice Department and the first in the nation because of Johnson's work as chairman of an American Indian issues subcommittee that reports to Attorney General Eric Holder.

Theresa Two Bulls, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, said she's pleased with the federal government's offer to develop a working relationship with tribes.

“I'm hoping that he listens to us, that he really takes back what we have to say to his office and to his higher-ups,” she said.

Johnson's office is responsible for prosecuting major crimes on the state's nine Indian reservations, defined by the United States Code as “Indian country.”

Drugs, alcohol, gangs, poverty, unemployment and insufficient funding for tribal police and courts are at play.

“The fact is that this is a complex puzzle and my office isn't going to be able to solve the issue alone, but I do think we can play an important role in the discussion,” said Johnson, who became the U.S. attorney in October.

Representatives of the South Dakota Sheriffs' Association and Chiefs of Police Association are expected to attend, as are other federal and state law enforcement officials.

“What's even more important is the first step in this process needs to be that we listen to the people who are living in these communities, who know the communities best, who know what the issues are the best,” Johnson said.

Two Bulls said Indians face more severe sentencing guidelines in federal court than in state court.

“If you look at our federal institutions there's really a lot of Native Americans. Some could probably just get probation and turn their lives around, get them into treatment, help them turn their life around.

“But it's not happening that way. They just want to send our native boys and girls to prison for long, long years. We're the only ethnic group that they're doing this to, and that needs to stop,” she said.

Johnson said others invited to participate are Gov. Mike Rounds, state Attorney General and former U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley, U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier and South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson.