Seventeen Western Washington Tribes awarded DOJ grants for a variety of public safety programs

Seattle – U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced today that 17 tribes in Western Washington will get millions of federal dollars to support programs focused on community safety.  The grant awards total more than $15.8 million.

“It is fitting that on this day when we wear purple to show support for victims of domestic violence, we are announcing significant grants to tribal communities to assist victims of crime, in ways that are tailored by the tribes to fit the needs of their citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.  “Some of these grants strengthen the re-entry services for enrolled tribal members leaving jails and prisons – this is critical work for increasing community safety.”

Sixteen of the Western Washington tribes will receive grants to improve services for victims of crime.  The tribes and grant amounts are:

• Quinault Indian Nation - $1,889,616
• Lummi Nation - $504,456
• Cowlitz Indian Tribe - $410,246
• Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe - $347,240
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe - $347,240
• Nooksack Indian Tribe - $410,246
• Squaxin Indian Tribe - $410,246
• Nisqually Indian Tribe - $504,456
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians - $918,594
• Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians - $347,240
• Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe - $347,240
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community - $410,246
• Tulalip Tribes of Washington - $609,742
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe - $504,456
• Port Gamble S’Kallam Tribe - $410,246
• Skokomish Indian Tribe - $410,246

Two tribes successfully competed for grants to improve re-entry services for tribal citizens leaving jails or prisons. The Port Gamble S’Kallam tribe was awarded $750,000 and the Puyallup Tribe was awarded $899,672.

Two tribes focused applications on drug treatment and drug courts: The Makah Indian Tribe was awarded $742,362 for its Tribal Healing and Wellness Court.  The Lummi Nation was awarded $1 million to expand care and reduce barriers for those suffering with addiction and mental health issues.  It’s Drug Court and Family Court services will be enhanced.

Two tribes were awarded grants under the Support for the Adam Walsh Act program. The Skokomish Tribe was awarded $396,361 for implementation if its sex offender registration program. Similarly, the Nooksack Tribe was awarded $376,841 for its sex offender registration program.

Two tribes were awarded grants to assist them in reviewing and reinvigorating their tribal justice programs.  The Swinomish Tribe was awarded $105,000 to help develop a comprehensive strategic plan for its justice system, and an additional $450,000 for a new advocacy program for child victims of crime.  The Port Gamble S’Kallam tribe was awarded $1,211,379 for physical improvements to its justice center, including its Behavioral Health Center.

Finally, the Quinault Indian Nation was awarded $637,923 to enhance its ability to share data with the National Criminal Background Check System (NICS).