WASHINGTON – Tribal justice advocates are hailing awards from the Department of Justice to aid and improve three reservation-based domestic violence programs, but many say the money itself isn’t going to solve bigger federal Indian law problems.

Some of the latest awards, announced in early September, come as a result of federal stimulus funding. They amount to $1.4 million for the Los Coyotes Band of Indians in California, the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

The monies come from the department’s Office on Violence Against Women and are in addition to the more than $14.5 million in Recovery Act funds awarded in August to 19 tribal governments and 10 tribal coalitions in Alaska, Arizona, California, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin.

“American Indian and Alaska Native women are more likely to experience sexual assault and domestic violence than women from other racial or ethnic groups, which is why these funds are so vital,” Attorney General Eric Holder said upon the release of the most recent funds.

He said the funds signify the beginning of a renewed partnership between Justice and tribal communities.

Tribal justice advocates largely agree that the funds are only a beginning.

“The funding is good and is an important step, but it is only a partial solution,” said Kirsten Matoy Carlson, a staff attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center.

“What is needed is real legal reform. In addition to funding shortfalls, the Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe loophole still remains.”

Carole Goldberg, a tribal law professor at the UCLA School of Law, elaborated on that loophole, saying the 1978 Supreme Court decision found that tribes don’t have criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

She said federal policy to correct the Oliphant decision is desperately needed to reduce reservation violence.

Matoy Carlson also said federal Indian law should be changed to rectify the loophole, or else she believes the epidemic of violence against Native women isn’t really being addressed.

Matthew L.M. Fletcher, director of the Michigan State University Indigenous Law & Policy Center, is grateful for federal awards to address violence in Indian country, but is skeptical about their long-term effects.

“Federal grant money into Indian country is fantastic, and helps build tribal organizational capacity to combat domestic violence and violence against women.

“And, I am very happy to see some federal interest in something not related to meth, or immigration, or drug smuggling.

“But what happens when the grants run out? So many times in Indian country it means that those programs just die. I hope that won’t happen here.”

Fletcher believes a long-term solution to violence requires a re-examination of federal law in relation to tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

He said Congress could quickly correct issues stemming from Oliphant if it chooses.

Congress has long heard about the issue from tribal leaders, but has chosen not to act.