This year marked the 20^th annual OVW Tribal Consultation (January 21-23, 2026), a time for Tribal leaders or their delegates to provide their recommendations on:

• Administering Tribal funds and programs;
• Enhancing the safety of Indian women from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, homicide, stalking, and sex trafficking;
• Strengthening the federal response to such crimes; and,
• Improving access to local, regional, state, and federal crime information databases and criminal justice information systems.

Tribal Coalitions attended in person and virtually to hear Tribal leaders provide testimony on these important issues. Some Tribal Coalition leaders were appointed as delegates and were able to provide testimony on behalf of Tribal leaders that were unable to attend.
The importance of Tribal Consultation is highlighted in an excerpt from a letter from Acting Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs, Rebekah Jones;

“Twenty years ago, Native advocates demanded that VAWA 2005 be specifically responsive to Tribal needs and its passage ushered in a whole host of changes to how the Federal government addresses domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Tribal communities. The Native advocates were clear, to address these crimes in Tribal communities, we need specific provisions, grant programs that are specific to Tribal communities, roles and divisions within the Federal offices that are focused solely on addressing these crimes, and requirements for regular communication between the Federal government and Tribal leaders on these specific issues. Congress agreed and found ‘the unique legal relationship of the United States to Indian Tribes creates a Federal trust responsibility to assist Tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Indian women.’ Twenty years later we can see it is working.”

The entire report called, Carrying the Water, Demanding Justice: More Than 20 Years of VAWA in Indian Country and Alaska, has information about the successes of VAWA Tribal Grant Programs over the years, as well as thoughts on moving forward. Tribal leaders still have time to submit written testimony, which is due by Monday, February 23, 2026. If you have any questions or need assistance, please send an email to: tribalconsultationsupport@chickasaw.com, visit the OVW Tribal Consultation Website, or reach out to your local Tribal Coalition.