Tribal Governments, Violent Crimes, Washington 2009

The struggle to combat violent crimes in tribal communities in Washington has taken a significant step forward as the federal government has awarded more than $5 million in grants to tribal governments and law enforcement agencies.

Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden and Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli made the announcement during a tour of the Tulalip Reservation, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to supporting tribal communities in their efforts to combat violent crime, violence against women, and crimes against children.

The grants, totaling more than $5 million, include over $2.16 million in Recovery Act funds awarded to three Washington Tribal Governments by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and over $3.3 million in FY2009 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to 16 Washington tribal law enforcement agencies.

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington has been awarded $899,999 to renovate a tribal facility for use as the Legacy of Healing Advocacy Center and Safe House. The funding will support the creation of five full-time jobs, including a manager who will oversee the program and four new Residential Aides. The tribe will also hire a contractor for building and security renovations and a consultant to work with staff to develop shelter program operating policies and procedures.

The Squaxin Island Tribe will receive $633,968 through its Northwest Indian Treatment Center in Washington to increase the number and quality of wrap-around services provided to women who have experienced domestic violence. The tribe will hire a Domestic Violence Resource Coordinator for post-treatment case management, resource coordination and outreach, coordinating with WomenSpirit Coalition to provide training and transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sex trafficking, and stalking.

The federal government’s commitment to supporting tribal communities in their efforts to combat violent crime, violence against women, and crimes against children is a positive step forward for the safety and well-being of these communities.

The grants will have an immediate impact on the quality of services offered to survivors and their children by providing advocacy and support services for those who need to be kept safe in emergency situations, and for victims who choose to leave their abusive relationships.

The Justice Department officials were in Seattle for the first of two working sessions with tribal leadership and law enforcement experts leading up to the Attorney General’s Tribal Nations Listening Conference, part of an ongoing Justice Department initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on tribal justice in Indian Country.

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