The United States Attorney’s Office honors Native American Heritage Month

On Friday, November 8, 2024, United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref, Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Derrig, Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Seal, and Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse attended the Yakama Nation Veterans Powwow in White Swan , Washington, part. At the powwow, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse honored the Survivors of the Missing and Murdered (MMIP), their families and their attorneys with a red dress and a song of honor. U.S. Attorney Waldref’s efforts to improve public safety in Indian Country and the leadership she has demonstrated in improving the federal response to MMIP, including brings the Northwest MMIP AUSA position in the Eastern District of Washington were also honored at the event.

On Friday, November 12, 2024, AUSA Black Horse presented at the Yakima Domestic Violence Coalition meeting, where AUSA Black Horse discussed the importance of using a trauma-informed approach to domestic violence and child abuse involving American Indian and Alaska Native survivors. AUSA Black Horse also provided training on culturally sensitive practices to support victims of violent crime in India.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, AUSA Bree Black Horse participated in a community presentation at the Yakama Nation Winter Lodge along with the Yakama Nation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Washington Attorney General’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. AUSA Black Horse, along with several of our state, federal, local and tribal partners, provided resources available to families of victims to help them achieve justice for their loved ones.

On November 18, 2024, AUSA Black Horse shared experiences from her legal career and the reasons her work at the Department of Justice with the Spokane Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol led her to serve tribal communities.

Later that evening, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse led a panel discussion at Gonzaga University School of Law hosted by the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Together, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse discussed the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis and recognized the efforts of Indigenous women in providing critical resources to support tribal justice and address the root causes of the MMIP crisis.

On November 21, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Justice Management Division (JMD) staff and the DOJ Office of Tribal Justice hosted a statewide virtual program in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. AUSA Black Horse introduced her role as AUSA, dedicated to prosecuting MMIP cases in the Northwestern United States.

“My office is committed to pursuing justice for everyone who calls Eastern Washington home,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “The United States maintains a special relationship of trust with each of the tribes in Eastern Washington. We will continue to participate in listening sessions and engage in outreach to ensure victims’ voices are heard and their cries for help are answered.”

For more information about Native American Heritage Month, visit https://www.Native American Heritage Month.Government/ .

For more information about the Washington State Task Force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People, visit https://www.atg.wa.gov/Washington-State-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-People Task Force .