Law School's Play Honors Native Women, Tribal Sovereignty
During Native American Heritage Month, UA law students are serving as the actors in "Sliver of a Full Moon," a re-enactment of the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

University Communications
Nov. 14, 2016

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UA Native American Law Student Association members rehearse a production that explores the grassroots efforts to expand tribal sovereignty, allowing tribal nations to persecute non-members found to commit crimes against women on reservations.
UA Native American Law Student Association members rehearse a production that explores the grassroots efforts to expand tribal sovereignty, allowing tribal nations to persecute non-members found to commit crimes against women on reservations.


Their words came, dramatized, in quick succession:

"I remember where I was."

"I remember what I was doing."

"I remember what I was thinking."

"And I will never forget."

So begins "Sliver of a Full Moon," a staged re-enactment at the University of Arizona reflecting on the 2012 renewal and 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act told through the experiences of abuse survivors, advocates and others. The dramatization honors the moment when the U.S. House of Representatives sealed the reauthorization with a vote of 286-138.

More than a dozen members of the UA's Native American Law Student Association were rehearsing at Gallagher Theater in preparation for the Nov. 18 public presentation of the play, to be held at 7 p.m. at the theater, recounting the act that returned to tribal governments the authority to prosecute non-native abusers who abused American Indian women on reservations.

The play originally was written by Mary Kathryn Nagle of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, who is expected to attend the event and participate in a Q&A session to be held after the production.

"This is an issue that affects us all across the nation: the sexual and emotional abuse of women," said volunteer play director Tony Mosley, who spent more than a decade working in the entertainment industry in Hollywood, and who also has worked with women recovering from abuse. "This is another way we can bring light to the subject that we should be honoring and nurturing our women."

Mosley, whose mother, Rita Lopez-Felix, is a member of the Pascua Yaqui tribe — one of the first nations to implement changes under the act — said the production is especially emotional for him.

"This work has been so personal," he said. "The idea behind 'Sliver of a Full Moon' is that everyone hopes to be able to see the full moon. As a native, the full moon is very sacred to us. We want to walk away knowing that these women didn’t suffer in vain."

The Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994, and the 2012 reauthorization included provisions for tribal members, a push that was led by a grassroots effort. Ultimately, the act allowed people who were not tribal members and who committed acts of abuse, assault and other forms of violence on tribal lands to be tried for their crimes on those lands.

It was during a summer internship with the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., that third-year law student Lisa Wrazidlo had an opportunity to see the play. She then worked with the Native American Law Student Association to bring the play to the UA.

"The play is usually done with paid actors and actresses, but we didn't have the funds to support hiring actors," said Wrazidlo (Bad River and Anishinabe).

"And I had no intention of being in the play. But when I began reading the script, I could see the character I wanted to be in it," she said. "There is something more personal about having students and community members in the play.”

Wrazidlo represents Lisa Brunner (White Earth Ojibwe), an advocate for American Indians who have experienced abuse. 

"People aren’t aware and are sometimes surprised to learn that, before the act, some abusers could go free," Wrazidlo said. "Despite living at home and in their homelands, women were victims and did not have protections.”

Crystal Owl (Fort Yuma-Quechan), a sophomore in the law degree program who depicts Diane Millich (Southern Ute), said one of her personal frustrations is that some believe problems of abuse — on and off tribal lands — are not relevant.

"In Arizona, there are 22 tribes. This issue is very real throughout the state and also throughout the country," said Owl, also affiliated with the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Southern Paiute and Navajo Nation. "I hope that people will understand what is happening and why it is important for tribes to move toward more sovereignty."

Extra info

What

"Sliver of a Full Moon"

Where

Gallagher Theater, Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd.

When

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

After the play, a panel of speakers from several tribal nations will discuss the implementation of Violence Against Women Act.  "Sliver of a Full Moon" playwright Mary Katheryn Nagle will be in attendance.

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Daune Cardenas

UA James E. Rogers College of Law

daunecardenas@email.arizona.edu