14
Indian Voices • June 2009
KENA ADAMS
UPTOWN
Inter-Tribal Council of
Citizen Journalist...
VIEW
shaping the future Nevada, Inc. Statewide
of community
news and
Native American Coalition
information.
VIEW OF THE 702
The Nevada Statewide Native
American Coalition is an Inter-Tribal
Edited by Kena Adams • 702-787-6365 •
kenaadams@indianvoices.net collaboration of agencies committed to
enhancing prevention programs to
Mentoring and Supporting Healthy Choices for Tribes
reduce legal and illegal drug use, addic-
tions, drug-related crimes, injury and
death within our Indian communities.
by Senator Harry Reid
need to prevent and fight crime. My staff as well as mentors and the support they
The Statewide Native American
Special to Indian Voices
and I have had very productive meetings need to make healthy choices, tribes can
Coalition is a substance abuse preven-
with the Nevada Statewide Native build strong communities and help
tion organization that intends to create
Even before the recession began,
young people make healthy choices like
and develop comprehensive prevention
American Coalition. This coalition
Nevada’s tribes were already facing chal-
programs for the American Indian
knows Nevada’s tribes and the unique avoiding drug and alcohol abuse.
lenges. Difficulties are not limited to the
Communities in the State of Nevada.
problems of substance and alcohol abuse Building on the increased economic
shortage of good jobs or the high cost of
Monty C. Williams, Executive
they face. Collaborating with these recovery act funding for the Department
education. Tribes also need the resources
Director
groups helps us craft solutions that will of Justice’s tribal programs, I am work-
to combat crime on their reservations
Statewide Native American Coalition
make a difference, particularly for young ing to ensure tribal courts have the sup-
and build stronger, safer communities.
680 Greenbrae Drive, Suite 234
people in the tribe. If we can increase port they need to successfully prosecute
In Washington, I am working with
Sparks, Nevada 89431
grants that provide alternative education cases. Introduced this year, the Tribal
Sen. Byron Dorgan to ensure Nevada’s
Office: 775-355-0600 Fax. 775-284-
and activities for youth on reservations, Law and Order Act will enhance tribal
tribal communities have the tools they
7641 Cell: 775-741-0716
courts by authorizing additional
E-Mail:
mnty_williams@yahoo.com
resources including assistance from the
The Coalition Executive Director is
Bureau of Indian Affairs and funding for
responsible for the development of the
addition casework managers. At a time
Statewide Native American Coalition in
when violent crime—particularly against
partnership with the twenty-seven
women in Native American and Alaskan
Nevada Tribes, Washoe County Urban
Native communities—is up, we need to
Indian Center and Las Vegas Indian
make sure tribal law enforcement can do
Center for the implementation of local
its job of protecting and serving the tribe
Comprehensive Community Prevention
and courts can be accountable for trying Plans to address Alcohol, Tobacco and
cases. Other Drugs (ATOD’s) use in our rural
Not all the law enforcement chal- and urban tribal communities.
lenges Nevada’s Native Americans face Alicia B. Colon, SPF SIG Program
are internal. There are many bills before Coordinator
the Congress that address hate crimes, Amber P Neff, Task Force Leader
and this legislation can be effective in
Rusty J. Walker, Data Coordinator
helping tribes address crimes against
their communities. Many of these bills
establish grant programs to help tribal
and local law enforcement collaborate to
Where can I get my
prevent hate crimes against Native
Americans. The House of
copy of Indian Voices?
Representatives recently passed hate
crimes legislation, and as the Majority
Leader, I will work to make sure it gets
• Big Mama’s Rib Shack - Las Vegas
the attention it deserves in the Senate.
Indian Center - Family Motorcycle
Finally, law enforcement is part of a
Club/all located on Bonanza Rd.
system of justice. We want to make sure
• Soul Brothers Motorcycle
that when members of the tribe are
Club/Jackson Ave.
prosecuted for a crime, they receive jus-
• Uptown Choppers/Martin Luther
tice that serves them and the communi-
King
ty. From my conversations with tribal
police offices and the Statewide Native
• Las Vegas - Flamingo - North Las
American Coalition, I understand that
Vegas libraries
tribal justice -- especially for those
• Paiute Smoke Shop/Main S.t
involved in drug or alcohol abuse --
• Moapa Travel Plaza/I15N exit 75
seeks to treat the whole person as a
• Native American Community Services
member of his or her community, keep-
- Starbucks-Dairy Queen-Rick’s
ing people close to family support on Smoke Shop/Maryland Pkwy.
the reservation. • Moapa Band of Paiutes Vocational
The more tools we give tribal courts
Rehabilitation-Las Vegas
and law enforcement, the stronger and
Tribune/Karen Ave.
safer our Native communities can be
• Indoor Swap Meet-Mario’s Westside
before and after crimes occur. For
Market, Lake Mead Dr.
Native Americans in Nevada, I am work-
• Urban Voice Magazine-CSN
ing to deliver meaningful assistance that
Tax/Owens Ave.
builds up law enforcement so that we
• Nevada Desert Experience/Bartlett St.
can all work toward crime-free tribal
• Moapa Indian Reservation
Indian Voices does not encourage, support, or endorse the use of alcohol. lands.
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