Ray Perales Joins Lamar Associates

Raymond Perales, is of Arapaho and Hispanic descent. His Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice experience spans over 22 years in key positions as Deputy Public Safety Director and Director of Juvenile Services for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. He also served as Chief of Police of the Poplar City Police Department in Northeast Montana, and as a consultant for over fifteen years on various Tribal/U.S. Department of Justice initiatives throughout “Indian Country”.

As a consultant and trainer Ray has worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), Tribal Law & Policy Institute, the University of Alaska, the National Judicial College, and numerous Tribal communities throughout the United States.

He is a certified instructor through the National Institute of Ethics and as a Community Policing trainer through the Western Regional Institute for Community-Oriented Public Safety (WRICOPS), and as a “Community Policing in Indian Country” Instructor for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

His experience with Community Policing and Native Youth gangs began in the early 1990s, and he is a 1997 “Top Cops” award recipient, given by the National Association of Police Organizations.

We welcome Ray and know his professionalism and expertise will ensure Lamar Associates continues to provide the best possible service to Indian Country.

Lamar Associates Officially Launches a New Division

Lamar Associates announces the official formation of our new Division - Indian Country Training. The new division will ensure the continued excellence in training started under the Lamar Associates banner, but will ensure the necessary resources are dedicated to the rapidly developing demand for our training in all topics related to Indian Country law enforcement, prescription drug abuse and diversion, anti-methamphetamine, gangs and community oriented policing.

The new division will be headed by our Director of Training, Steven Juneau. In less than two years Lamar Associates and Indian Country Training have provided training to over 1300 Indian Country participants.

We look forward to collaborating with you to bring our expert presenters to your area.

Click on our new banner to see it in full size.

Indian Country Today (audio) - Prescription Drug Abuse

Walter appeared with host Ray Cook on the radio show In Depth, an Indian Country Today feature. Prescription Drug Abuse in Indian Country was the topic.

Click the title to listen in.

Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE)

On June 4, 2009 Walter Lamar and Patrick Shining Elk conducted a session on Methamphetamine in Indian Country at the Annual SAIGE Conference held in San Diego, CA. Walter talked about the history of meth and Mexican cartel case studies that relate to Indian Country.

Patrick, a Shoshone from the Wind River Reservation, is a veteran Hollywood movie actor and stuntman. He offered candid insights into his personal struggles with meth. His presentation was a powerful message that needs to get out to our youth, Indian Country-wide. His story riveted folks to their seats.

Both Walter and Patrick appreciate being invited to speak to American Indian Government Employees.

Click the title to visit the SAIGE website.

Tulsa Anti-Meth Training

Pictured is Lamar Associates' Vice-President Steven Juneau with James L. Capra, Dallas Division DEA Special Agent in Charge.

On the morning of May 18, 2009 SAC Capra welcomed 70 plus participants of the Lamar Associates Anti-meth training convened in Tulsa, OK.

Three Lamar Associates instructors, including VP Juneau, presented the attendees two days of training that offered information on the methamphetamine issue in Indian Country and affirmative steps to collaborate through problem solving and community policing. Materials included an agenda; Indian Country Anti-meth CD-ROM containing dozens of documents, Power Point presentations and templates; DOJ-COPS publications - Combating Methamphetamine Laboratories and Abuse; Drug Sales In Open Air Markets; Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs; and DOJ-COPS CD-ROMs of Tribal Resources and Drug and Crime.

One participant wrote, "Great Training!! Will definitely be able to help us develop a coalition at our tribe."

Native America Calling

Walter appeared on Native American Calling to discuss Lamar Associates July 22-23, 2009 Prescription Drug abuse/diversion training. The following is from NAC's website description of the show, you can use the "listen" link to hear the program:

"Thursday, May 28, 2009 – Prescription Drug Abuse: (listen)
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a shocking 40 percent of teens and an almost equal number of their parents think abusing prescription painkillers is safer than abusing “street” drugs, causing widespread problems across America and Native America is not immune. Reports of people stealing and selling prescription drugs are common. People staking out hospital parking lots and soliciting people to sell their prescription medications are not uncommon. What can tribal communities do to combat prescription drug theft and abuse? Guests are Walter Lamar (Blackfeet/Wichita) CEO & President/Lamar Associates and John Burke, President of the National Drug Diversion Investigators Association."

Click on the title and you will be directed to the NAC website.

Earl Devaney - Chairman

In February, 2009 Earl Devaney was named the chairman of the new Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Mr. Devaney will work with Vice President Joe Biden to monitor for wasteful spending and issue periodic reports to the public.

Mr. Devaney is known for his tenacious pursuit of the infamous Jack Abramoff.

Click the title to read more.

Walter at the White House - March 16th

On March 16th, Walter Lamar attended a White House announcement by President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. They announced plans to unlock credit for small businesses. Walter urged the President to ensure that the Buy Indian Act is used to the fullest extent possible to assist Native Business to completely engage in the Stimulus process and to further ensure unemployment in Indian Country is positively impacted.

Click on the title to see the President's remarks.