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Abstract: 

Indian reservations in Montana evince high rates of intimate partner homicide (along with alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, extreme isolation, unemployment, and school dropouts). The Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission (MDVFRC) and Montana Native American Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (NADVFRT)were created by the state’s legislature in 2003 and since then their investigations have led to important reforms in the courts, law enforcement, and human services aimed at reversing the tragic rates of IPV in Montana Indian country. This article comprehensively reviews important historic milestones in the development of MDVFRC and NADVFRT and in the scope of their authority and operations.

Keywords: Intimate partner homicide in Indian country; Montana Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission (MDVFRC); Montana Native American Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (NADVFRT); Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA); Hope Card

Affiliations:  1: Northern Arizona University.