By contrast, other studies have revealed that 69% of those committing violent crimes against whites are also white, and that 81% of those committing violent crimes against African-Americans are also African-Americans (Violent pp). In 2004, Thomas B. Heffelfinger, the United States Attorney for the state of Minnesota, called for a major overhaul of the criminal law enforcement system in Indian Country, calling it a "national shame" (Federal pp). Heffelfinger said statistics reveal that Native American Indians and Alaska Natives are the victims of violent crime more than the any other group in the country, and that includes every crime, child abuse, sexual assault, homicide, assault, etc. (Federal pp).

Heffelfinger complained that the current system of law enforcement "is taking the leaders of our national tribes, making them victims of crime and sending them to prison" (Federal pp). Heffelfinger, who chairs the Native American Issues sub-committee...

A bill pending in the Senate would recognize tribal authority for purposes of homeland security, however the Bush administration opposes this part of the measure (Federal pp). Yet, according to statistics, nearly 70% of Indian victims were victimized by a person of another race (Federal pp).
Works Cited

Federal prosecutor seeks to change 'national shame.' April 19, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2005 at http://indianz.com/News/archive/001804.asp

Some crimes, arrests increase among Native Americans. October 18, 2005.

Retrieved October 20, 2005 at http://indianz.com/News/2005/010832.asp

Violent Crime and Native Americans. February 16, 1999. Retrieved October 20, 2005…