U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch intends to visit Alaska on Friday. She plans to discuss public safety concerns of Alaska Natives communities and tribes.
According to a memo from a Justice Department official to Alaska’s congressional delegation, Lynch will propose the start of formal consultations between her department and the Alaska Native community. The memo says Lynch will also propose a new multi-agency panel and a new Justice Department position in the state to focus on Alaska Native engagement.
Alaska Natives are victims of violence at much higher rates than the population at large, and law enforcement is scarce in many rural communities.
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
