District Of Minnesota Tribes To Receive $8.6 Million In Public Safety Grants

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald joined the Department of Justice today in announcing more than $113 million in grant awards to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Six tribes within the District of Minnesota have received grants totaling more than $8.6 million.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $1,921,228, the Lower Sioux Indian Community will receive a total of $3,261,780, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will receive a total of $1,187,669, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will receive a total of $1,310,299, the Prairie Island Indian Community will receive a total of $598,976, and the White Earth Reservation Tribal Council will receive a total of $337,426.

U.S. Attorney MacDonald said, “Violent crime disproportionately affects many of our Native American communities. These grants will directly support efforts to address some of the toughest challenges – such as domestic violence and opioid and substance abuse.”

Nationwide, grants were awarded to 133 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $113 million, just over $53 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women, and more than $24.7 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

In addition, the Department is in the process of allocating up to $133 million in a first-ever set aside program to serve victims of crime in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime by providing funding, programming and technical assistance.  Recipients will be announced in the near future. 

Today’s announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. A listing of today’s announced CTAS awards is available at: www.justice.gov/tribal/page/file/1095161/download.

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600