- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, the committee’s vice chair, will hold a legislative hearing Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. EST titled “Justice and Safety for Native Children: Examining Title II of the Draft Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act.”
The hearing will examine Title II of the draft Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act, posted by Chairman Murkowski, which focuses on improving justice and safety outcomes for Native children, including Tribal-federal coordination on public safety, juvenile justice, victim services, and systemic responses to violence affecting Native youth and families.
Expert witnesses:
- The Honorable Lonna Street, Chairwoman, Spirit Lake Tribal Council, Fort Totten, ND
- The Honorable Joan Johnson, Council Member representing Gros Ventre At Large, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Harlem, MT
- Ms. Anita Fineday, Former Commissioner, Native Children’s Commission, Brainerd, MN
- Ms. Lori Jump, Executive Director, StrongHearts Native Helpline, Sault Ste. Marie, MI
- Mr. Mark Patterson, Chair, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Former Administrator, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility /Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center, Honolulu, HI
The hearing will webcast live on the Committee’s website; an archived video will be available shortly after the hearing concludes. Witness testimony will be available on the website at the start of the hearing.
Event Details:
WHAT:
Legislative Hearing — Justice and Safety for Native Children: Examining Title II of the Draft Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act
WHEN:
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628
Washington, D.C.
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