What is Indian Country jurisdiction? How can I be a stronger advocate for Native survivors and victims of sexual assault? Nurses can often be stuck in the middle- left asking: “Who can I go to for answers? Why haven’t law enforcement picked up the sexual assault kit? Why won’t this agency respond?” In this hour and half presentation, led by Renee Stapp, a career veteran with over 20 years of experience in untangling the complexities of jurisdiction in Indian Country, get these questions, and more, answered. Presented by: IAFN’s FASTta Project Speaker: Renee Stapp, M.S.C.J. (Muscogee) The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

1. Gain a basic understanding of Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction
2. Understand the historical legacy of key legal decisions concerning jurisdiction in Indian Country
3. Identify resources to support SANE response to sexual violence in Indian Country

Renee Stapp, M.S.C.J. (Muscogee)
Renee Stapp (Muscogee) has over 20 years of experience working with victims of crime in Indian Country, working on several different reservations including Oklahoma’s complex checkerboard jurisdiction. She currently serves as the Center Director for Victim Assistance to Support Tribes (VAST).

Renee’s experience as an advocate and law enforcement officer provides a unique perspective on systems response in addressing victim’s needs. She has previously served as a federal Victim Specialist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Great Plains Region (District I), serving victims of violent crimes on numerous reservations across Indian Country and has held previous positions as a sworn police officer in Oklahoma (tribal and state), tribal domestic violence/sexual assault advocate, and a state investigator for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Renee is also a Tribal Court Legal Advocate, certified by the National Tribal Trial College and University of Wisconsin Law School. One of the highlights of Renee’s career was to receive an honoring ceremony from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Prosecutor, Tatewin Means and Oglala Lakota Children’s Justice Center for service to victims on Pine Ridge Reservation.