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Savanna and Not Invisible Act

September 24, 2020 by Admin Admin

Albuquerque, NM – September 23, 2020

SWLC commends the U.S. House for passing the Not Invisible Act and the Savanna’s Act, and further encourages President Trump to sign the bills into law

The Southwest Women’s Law Center (SWLC) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Not Invisible Act (S. 982) and Savanna’s Act (S. 227) on September 21, 2020, moving them to either be signed into law or vetoed by President Donald J. Trump.

The SWLC encourages President Trump to sign both bills into law. The bills address missing and murdered Indians on tribal lands. U.S. Congresswomen Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), tribal member of the Laguna Pueblo and Sharice Davids (D-K.S.), tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, are two of the four co-sponsors of the Not Invisible Act. The Not Invisible Act (NIA) establishes a joint commission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Department of Justice. It would also establish a coordinator within the BIA to combat violence by coordinating efforts, grants, and programs related to the murder of, trafficking of, and missing Native Americans. It will also create a Joint Commission on Reducing Violent Crimes Against Indians, which will include Tribes, States, and Federal officials, the Indian Health Service, urban Indian representatives, survivors and family members of missing and murdered Native Americans, among others.  

The Savanna’s Act, on the other hand, clarifies responsibilities of federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies with respect to responding to cases of missing or murdered Indians. It also calls for increased coordination and communication among the various law enforcement agencies, including medical examiner and coroner offices. The bill aims to address the jurisdictional complexities that Indian Country face. The bill also aims to empower tribal governments with the resources and information necessary to effectively respond to cases of missing and murdered Indians. It also aims to increase the collection of data related to missing and murder Indian men, women, and children regardless of where they reside and the sharing of information.  

Terrelene Massey, Esq. (Navajo), SWLC Executive Director, believes that both the Not Invisible Act and the Savanna Act are needed to better protect Native American women, children, and girls, especially those living on tribal lands. Massey says that the bills “are complementary to one another, they provide a comprehensive approach to address missing and murdered Indians among state, tribal, federal and local levels, and further they take steps to prevent human trafficking.” The bills also aim to coordinate the jurisdictional arms of federal, state, tribal and local authorities so they can better work together rather that creating gaps. The SWLC commends the House and the Senate for passing these bills, and now encourages President Trump to sign them into law.

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Filed Under: Advocacy, Not Invisible Act Tagged With: Savanna and Not Invisible Act, Violence Against Women Act

SWLC presents Cocktails & Conversations

November 1, 2019 by Admin Admin

Join Southwest Women’s Law Center staff and Board of Directors for an evening of refreshments, drinks and live music.

We are looking forward to a nice evening with live music, a silent auction, refreshments, and drinks. At the event, we will be updating you on our 2019 activities and will be providing a preview of our 2020 work. You will meet our Board of Directors, our Executive Director, and our new staff. We want to honor you, our supporters, and thank you for standing with us. Upward and onward!

To register for the event, please CLICK HERE.

If you are unable to join us on December 5th but would still like to make an end-of-year contribution, please CLICK HERE.

Filed Under: Featured

Equity in the Workplace:
Know Your Rights

September 12, 2019 by Admin Admin

This is a free community event. Please RSVP by calling 505-244-0502 to let us know you’ll attend. Light refreshments will be provided. Join us at Loma Colorado Main Library on November 20 at 6 p.m. to learn about laws that protect you from discrimination in the workplace. We will also discuss workplace-related laws that we are working to pass here in New Mexico, including Pregnant Worker Accommodation Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

Filed Under: Featured

Pay Equity – We still have work to do

April 11, 2018 by Admin Admin

Race and gender wage gaps are still Way. Too. Big.

Filed Under: Featured

Know Your Rights!

January 16, 2018 by Admin Admin

Filed Under: Featured

Teen Pregnancy – Know your rights!

December 12, 2016 by Admin Admin

Click here for more information on expectant and parenting teen resources.

Filed Under: Featured

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