February 9, 2026.
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, convened a legislative hearing to examine Title II of her draft legislation, the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act. The bill aims to strengthen justice and safety for Native children and families by establishing a Tribal Advisory Committee on juvenile justice, mandating a DOJ and BIA study on missing Native children, codifying programs like the Alaska Native Victim Services Program, and enhancing domestic violence prevention, victim services, and family-centered interventions.
During the hearing, the Chairman discussed a number of programs and topics significant to Alaska Native communities, including the Tiwahe Program, the 477 Program, the FVPSA, and cases of missing children.
Witnesses included:
The Honorable Lonna Jackson-Street, Chairwoman, Spirit Lake Tribal Council, Fort Totten, North Dakota
The Honorable Joan Johnson, Council Member representing Gros Ventre At Large, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Harlem, Montana.
Ms. Anita Fineday, Former Commissioner, Native Children’s Commission, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Ms. Lori Jump, Executive Director, Strong Hearts Native Helpline, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Mr. Mark Patterson, Chair, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Former Administrator, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility / Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
TIWAHE PROGRAM.
During her opening statement, Chairman Murkowski shared how impactful the Tiwahe program has been for the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) – one of the first six pilot sites for Tiwahe back in 2015.
“It allowed AVCP to consolidate 26 separate departments into six divisions, along with two dedicated centers: a Family Service Center and a Tribal Resource Center. These changes have made a real difference. They’ve improved collaboration and strengthened service delivery for the 56 federally recognized tribes that AVCP represents,” said the Chairman.
Later in the hearing Chairman Murkowski, again, discussed the Tiwahe program, emphasizing the importance of expanding culturally integrated approaches.
“With Tiwahe, we have greater coordination across services, integrating the culture, the language, and the traditional practices. We’ve seen the benefits of this model, and we want others to follow it,” the Chairman said.
The Chairman asked the Honorable Joan Johnson why the Tiwahe program is more effective than traditional federal programs.
“We’re able to work with flexibility; we’re able to work with children the way we know will heal them, and that’s our culture, our spirituality,” said Johnson “I know I’m living proof that it was the holistic healing in our traditional ceremonies that have saved me, and I believe strongly in what we do to heal our children.”
In remarks directed to Chairwoman Lonna Street, Chairman Murkowski acknowledged that, “all of Spirit Lake’s Social Service program staff have either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in social work. And that Tiwahe has helped make that possible.”
Street shared that through Tiwahe, the Spirit Lake Tribe’s social services workforce grew to 16 full-time, community-member staff serving over 2,400 children. The program has strengthened foster care, CPS, and prevention services, supported staff earning social work degrees, and reflects the Tribe’s commitment to a skilled, community-rooted workforce.
“This represents a significant transformation in workforce qualifications, and it reflects the Tribe’s commitment to build a highly trained, credentialed tribal welfare workforce rooted in the Spirit Lake community.” said Street.
FVPSA.
Chairman Murkowski asked Lori Jump about the importance of reauthorizing FVPSA, noting that it was included in the draft Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act. Jump explained that FVPSA is the primary funding source for domestic violence shelters and support services, but it has not been reauthorized since 2010, putting critical programs at risk despite ongoing appropriations. Reauthorization is essential not only to secure funding, but also to show a clear commitment to survivors, ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported with lifesaving services.
“What’s really important about reauthorization is that it reflects a commitment, right? – To survivors. It reflects a commitment to survivors that they are seen, that they are heard, and that they matter,” said Jump. [HR1]
MISSING CHILD CASES.
The Chairman asked Councilwoman Johnson why it’s important to include non-custodial family abductions in legislation on missing Native children and how information from BIA and DOJ can support effective responses.
“I think sometimes we want to focus our legislation, but you’ve reminded us that oftentimes these non-custodial family matters require us to look more expansively at that definition,” said the Chairman.
Johnson explained that children taken by non-custodial family members are often dismissed as family disputes, but including these cases ensures all missing children are protected and don’t fall through the cracks. She also highlighted that missing Native child cases often involve complex family dynamics and carry heightened risks when substance abuse or neglect is involved.
“This isn’t about criminalizing families; it’s about understanding the specific dangers, like trafficking or neglect, that our children face so we can intervene faster,” said Johnson.
Johnson emphasized that real-time coordination between federal agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ensures law enforcement can respond quickly, especially in rural communities where seconds can save a life.
“Currently, information is often scattered. A unified study that coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children means we aren’t starting from scratch every time a child goes missing. For a rural family seconds matter,” said Johnson.