Nourishing native roots for healing. That was the goal for dozens of advocates, families, and leaders in Bernalillo.On March 15, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW) kicked off its 9th annual "Tribal Leaders Summit." The two-day event was held at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel. It was also the biggest summit the coalition has ever hosted, with over 30 tribal leaders represented across New Mexico."For them to be here with us, to learn and be open to having this conversation about violence in our communities, it's really change and transformation manifested," Angel Charley, executive director of CSVANW, said. "We're ready to have these conversations with our leaders."From domestic violence to missing and murdered cases, no topic was off limits. Panelists, attendees, and vendors expressed concerns and problems Native Americans often witness on their own lands. Issues that have been happening for decades.According to the National Congress of American Indians' Policy Research Center, more than four in five Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime. Native women also face murder rates more than 10 times the national average in some counties."This is a foundational issue for addressing wellness in our communities. In order to have healthy communities, we have to address some of the root causes of disparity," Charley said.One of CSVANW's initiatives includes awareness and education, like the implementation of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA). The move was signed into law by former president Barack Obama on July 29, 2010. The act helps to address crime in tribal communities and places a strong emphasis on decreasing violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women."We have a lot of violence in our communities. We have disrespect for each other, especially dishonoring and disrespecting women and children. It's not always safe. We would like it to be safe, but it's not always safe," Dr. Peggy L. Bird, a co-founder of CSVANW, said.The action also encourages the hiring of more law enforcement officers for Indian lands and provides additional tools to address critical public safety needs.It even offers better services to victims impacted. This a unique opportunity that helps tribal governments, especially when it comes to prosecution and the challenges that often come with it."Some tribes have constitutions and they have to follow their constitutions. Some tribes have tribal codes that are written," Bird said. "But in prosecuting, some tribes don't have prosecutors if they have a tribal court."There's also the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Since it was signed in 1994, programs and services have boosted federal and state responses to incidents like stalking and sexual assault. Yet it's often a challenging concept for tribal leaders who oversee their own land. "How do you implement VAWA? Tribal lands versus federal? The issue comes into play," Mark Mitchell, chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, said.That's why Native American leaders are in favor of the implementation of these two acts.In hopes of justice and peace for families who have gone through so much. "When families are affected, it, especially when gets thrown out of court, then that's when it really hurts the families because they know that the person is set free," Chief Jerome Lucero, with the Zia Police Department, said.While CSVANW doesn't offer direct services, staff members stay busy. Some of the group's work includes training, education, and policy advocacy. To learn more about the group, visit their website here.