By: Lani Hansen, Senior Reporter
TULSA, Oklahoma– In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 18-24, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Family Violence Prevention Program and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma partnered with organizations from Tulsa for “Community Day of Hope.”
According to MCN’s FVPP Director Shawn Partridge, the “Community Day of Hope” was a collaborative event aiming to provide information about services and resources for victims of crime. The FVPP attended the event to let victims of crime know about the resources MCN provides.
Some of the resource organizations in attendance were the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Family Safety Center, Tulsa Crime Stoppers, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, YWCA, Tulsa Police Department-Forensics Nursing representative, Counseling and Recovering Services, AAA and others.
“This event was the first we participated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Patridge said. “However, Shannon Buchanon who is one of our project managers was working all month with the U.S. Attorney’s Office participating in Facebook Live sessions to talk about services and resources.”
The FVPP has developed a close relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office prior to the ruling affirming the tribes jurisdiction and continues to work together to provide help to victims of crimes.
Governor Kevin Stitt made an appearance at the “Community Day of Hope” event and greeted those in attendance. He said the event was also designed help victims understand what their rights are after adding Marsy’s Law in the constitution.
Marsy’s law is a national movement that aims to ensure victims of crim have meaningful and enforceable constitutional rights in the criminal justice system. Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly voted to pass the law on Nov. 6, 2018, in the form of State Question 794.
Governor Stitt stated that his office is building relationships especially with the McGirt Decision.
FVPP Project Coordinator Tania Bardin commented about the event saying, it was mostly to help provide education to victims, survivors and their families who were impacted by the McGirt ruling.
Partidge said in light of the McGirt ruling and the misinformation that continues to be perpetrated, it is important people know MCN has had victim services for many years to serve and support victims of crime.
For more information about MCN FVPP contact 918-732-7979.
