2023 Strengthening Sovereign Responses to Sex Trafficking in Indian Country and Alaska Conference Underway in New Orleans

New Orleans, LA — January 24, 2023 — On behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition, Mending the Sacred Hoop, Men as Peacemakers, and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute; we announce the 2023 Strengthening Sovereign Responses to Sex Trafficking in Indian Country and Alaska, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 24-26, 2023.

This National conference brings together nearly 350 survivors, tribal leaders, field experts, tribal communities, and federal partners focused on improving responses to sex trafficking of American Indian and Alaska Native children, women, men, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit relatives.

Tribal crime victim advocates, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other tribal services providers working with American Indian/Alaska Native sex trafficking survivors, tribal leaders, tribal gaming, commercial enterprises, travel and tourism, hotel staff, and others wanting to learn more about developing comprehensive tribal responses to sex trafficking in tribal communities are welcome and encouraged to join.

“It has been three years since we have gathered together for this conference, and I’m excited to be hosted by the city of New Orleans and the Tribal Nations in Louisiana. Our work on sex trafficking has always been informed by the lived experiences of victims and survivors; and this conference will share insights and knowledge from experts in the field, which includes families and survivors of sex trafficking.” said Nicole Matthews, Executive Director at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition.