December 14, 2021
Washington, DC
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at the 2021 Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Winter Conference – Remarks as prepared

Good afternoon. My name is Vanita Gupta and I am the Associate Attorney General at the Justice Department. I am honored to speak to you today as part of this extraordinary gathering.

I want to begin by thanking my friend, Julie Kitka, for inviting me to speak today, and for your steady and powerful leadership of the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). The entire AFN team has done truly amazing work to promote the needs of Alaska Natives.

I would also like to thank Secretary Haaland for your inspiring and history-making leadership of the Department of the Interior; Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan and Representative Young for your continued advocacy in Congress for Alaska Natives; and the many Tribal leaders here today for your formidable leadership and advocacy on behalf of your members.

I addressed many of you last May, and I’m grateful to once again attend the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of any Native peoples. Read more…

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Mending the Sacred Hoop works from a social change perspective to end violence against Native women and children while restoring the safety, sovereignty, and sacredness of Native women. We are dedicated to strengthening the voice and vision of Native peoples. Our approach is founded on grassroots organizing within communities, restoring the leadership of Native women in addressing domestic and sexual violence.

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