Tribe: Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation
§11.1.01 Purpose. The purpose of the Makah Tribal Council in enacting this Domestic Violence Code is to
recognize: a. That all persons have a right to be respected, to maintain the sanctify of body and
soul, and to be free of violence. b. That domestic violence is a serious and pervasive problem in our Reservation
community. c. That domestic violence has many faces – physical, intellectual, sexual,
psychological, spiritual, and economic. d. That domestic violence is more penticious than other forms of violence because
of the special relationship between the abuser and the abused. e. That domestic violence within a relationship tends to escalate in frequency and
severity, particularly when the victim tries to sever the relationship. f. That victims of domestic violence are often isolated, intimidated , and dispirited,
losing the will and the ability to help themselves. g. That domestic violence cannot be excused by stress or poverty, by intoxicants or
illegal substances, by weather or season, or by the victim’s behavior. h. That today’s domestic violence spawns tomorrow’s domestic violence,
perpetuating generations of abusers and abused. i. That domestic violence is not “cultural” and, indeed, is contrary to traditional
Makah values holding the individual and the family sacred. j. That domestic violence is not just a “family matter” but, rather, a crime against
the victim, the victim’s family, the Reservation community, and the Tribe. k. That the unity of our Tribe depends upon the unity of our families, and that a
family wracked by domestic violence is neither strong nor stable. l. That the future of our Tribe depends upon the future of our children, and that a
child who experiences domestic violence, as either victim or witness, carries deep
emotional scars. m. That the compassion of our Tribe is measured by our treatment of the most
vulnerable, and that domestic violence against elders and the disabled diminishes
our collective humanity. n. That domestic violence can be prevented, reduced, and deterred through increased
awareness and zero tolerance and through prompt and firm intervention by law
enforcement, the legal system, and social, educational, and health care
institutions. […] § 11.1.02 Intent. In view of the Purpose stated in MLOC 1 1.1 .0 I, the intent of the Makah Tribal Council
in enacting this Domestic Violence Code is: a. . To prevent, reduce, and deter the incidence of domestic violence in our
Reservation community. b. To afford victims of domestic violence maximum assistance, safety, and c. To hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their actions and for
changing their conduct. d. To establish an efficient, fair, and flexible system that encourages victims, both
direct and indirect, to seek assistance and that discourages perpetrators, both
current and potential, from committing acts of domestic violence. e. To enhance the ability of the Neah Bay Police Department to prevent incidents of
domestic violence, to aid victims, and to enforce the law. f. To enhance the ability of the Makah Tribal Court to assure that justice is served
by fashioning effective remedies in domestic violence cases and by issuing orders
that will be accorded full faith and credit by other tribal and non-tribal
jurisdictions. g. To enhance the ability of social, educational, and health care institutions, working
in conjunction with the Neah Bay Police Department and the Makah Tribal Court,
to identify instances of domestic violence and to facilitate healing. h. To encourage greater understanding of domestic violence, its causes and cures,
through data collection, evaluation, and reporting. i. To encourage greater awareness of domestic violence, its many faces and consequences, through dissemination of infonnation and public education
programs. j. To foster an atmosphere of non-violence and mutual respect in our Reservation
community, in keeping with traditional Makah values.