The state of Washington launches the first of its kind Native American crisis hotline…The ‘Native and Strong Crisis Lifeline’ is the first in the nation tailored just for Native American people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Native Americans have the highest suicide rate of any race. Washington state is now the first in the country to address the problem with a new mental health crisis line. This Lifeline is not only the first in the nation tailored for Native American people, it’s also run by an all Native American team. Something organizers say makes a difference to those calling for help.
7 Indigenous women to sit on the Arizona court bench…The record high number includes five who will be serving Justice of the Peace terms. In a historic first, seven Native American women will be sitting on the bench in Arizona following Election Day earlier this month. Five will be serving terms at the justice court level, joining U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa, Hopi, and recently appointed Superior Court Judge Charlene Jackson, Diné, on the bench. A Justice of the Peace oversees misdemeanor offenses, domestic violence cases, civil lawsuits, landlord and tenant controversies and a range of other civil and criminal traffic offenses – like DUI’s. Each county has justice courts and the number of justices in a county depends on the population size.
