Deborah Parker (Tulalip) and the Violence Against Women Act (2013)

741 views · Published 28 November 2017 · 2:38 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: uscitizenpod · 2017 · Education

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November is Native American Heritage Month. November 25 begins the 16 Days of Activism against the Gender-Based Violence

In 2012, Congress was debating the re-authorization of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. Some Congress members wanted to limit whom the law 

protected.  Others wanted to expand the VAWA, but had problems finding popular support.

In late April 2012, Deborah Parker, Vice Chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribe,  came to Washington D.C. for a meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency.  While in Washington DC, Deborah Parker was invited by her state Senator, Patty Murray (WA), to make a public statement supporting the VAWA.  Deborah Parker did more than that; for the first time, in public,  she shared her own story of sexual assault and ongoing sexual violence against tribal women. Her story galvanized Senate support.  

In 2013, Congress re-authorized the Violence Against Women Act.  The act expanded federal protections to Native Americans, immigrants, and the lgbtq community.  A key provision of the VAWA strengthened the protection of Native Women.  Tribes can now prosecute non-Native Americans who commit crimes on tribal lands.

What is the “rule of law”? 

For more Citizenship resources for Native American Heritage Month and 16 Days of Activism against the Gender-Based Violence, visit uscitizenpod.com


POC Online Classroom: Feminist Hero Friday: Deborah Parker
http://www.poconlineclassroom.com/blog/2016/8/17/feminist-hero-friday-

deborah-parker

NCAI: Tribal Implementation of the VAWA 
http://www.ncai.org/tribal-vawa

Senator Patty Murray: Women Senators, Tribal Leader Discuss Importance of 

VAWA Improvements
https://youtu.be/yIV7-XASQy8

RockPaperJet: Tulalip B.O.D.: "We Raise Our Hands" - (VAWA)
https://youtu.be/A3UY-a4o1eE

SmithsonianNMAI: Strong Women/Strong Nations 7: Deborah Parker
https://youtu.be/MOK0crQt9zY

Tribal Law and Policy Institute: Deborah Parker on VAWA 2013 

Reauthorization and the Role of Tribes
https://youtu.be/fzbJW_w6hpM

TEDx Talks: Wisdom of the Cedars | Deborah Parker | TEDxOrcasIsland
https://youtu.be/P1s3c4lpKzI

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