On August 2, 2021, the Department of the Interior (DOI), in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), have announced a series of Tribal consultations on the Not Invisible Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-166). Specifically, these consultations will focus on provisions of P.L. 116-166 that require the Secretary of the Interior and Attorney General to establish a joint Commission on reducing violent crimes on Tribal Lands and Tribal citizens. DOI and DOJ is seeking input from Tribal Leaders on the formation of the Commission as well as areas the Commission should focus on to develop recommendations to reduce violent crimes in Indian Country.

Details regarding the upcoming Tribal consultations are as follows—

• Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET (register)
• Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET (register)
• Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET (register)
• Friday, September 10, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm ET (register)

The Dear Tribal Leader Letter includes a list of questions for the upcoming Tribal consultations. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, September 17, 2021 and can be submitted via email to consultation@bia.gov. For questions, please contact Heidi Todacheene, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, at heidi_todacheene@ios.doi.gov, or by calling (202) 208-7163.

DOI Seeking Nominations for Appointment to the Not Invisible Act Commission
DOI is seeking nominations for non-federal members to be appointed to the Not Invisible Act Commission. Members will be expected to meet approximately three to five times over the course of 18 months and each meeting is expected to last multiple hours over two to three consecutive days. Initial meetings will be held via teleconference or web conference and further meetings may be held virtually, in-person, or a mixture of both. Nominations must have a background in Tribal law enforcement, state and local law enforcement, or serve as a Tribal judge. Additional non-federal members include representatives from a Tribal Nation, health care and mental health practitioners, national, regional, and urban Tribal organizations, survivors of human trafficking, and family members of missing or murdered Native people.

Nominations for the Commission must be submitted by Monday, September 20, 2021 to consultation@bia.gov, or by mail to:

Attn. Jason O’Neal
Director, Office of Justice Services
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Indian Affairs
1849 C Street NW
MS-3662-MIB
Washington, DC 20240