Justice Department Awards Over $84 Million in Grants to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the awarding of 152 grants to 90 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes through its Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), totaling more than $84 million. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland revealed these awards during a convening with Tribal leaders, advocates, media representatives, and federal officials, where discussions focused on how media coverage can contribute to addressing the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking (HT).

The CTAS grants aim to enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. They will improve the handling of child abuse cases, combat domestic and sexual violence, support Tribal youth programs, and provide various services for American Indian and Alaska Native crime victims. The CTAS awards are managed by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).

Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen of the OJP emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to addressing public safety challenges faced by Tribal communities. “We have heard from Tribal leaders about the complex public safety challenges their communities are facing and about the innovative and culturally appropriate solutions they propose to meet those challenges,” he stated. “These investments in Tribal community safety infrastructure, Tribal youth programs, law enforcement activities in Indian country, and services for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors represent a strong and steady commitment on the part of the Office of Justice Programs to the safety of Tribal communities.”

Breakdown of Grant Funding:

• OJP Funding: More than $53 million was allocated for system-wide strategic planning, strengthening Tribal justice infrastructure, investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases, supporting juvenile healing to wellness courts, and funding Tribal youth programs.
• COPS Office Funding: Over $31 million was awarded to assist 49 Tribes in hiring personnel, purchasing equipment, and providing training grants to enhance community policing. This funding can be used for hiring full-time career law enforcement officers, village public safety officers, and school resource officers, along with acquiring essential equipment and technology.

“The COPS Office is honored to continue assisting our Tribal partners by providing funding for vital resources that help law enforcement agencies improve services to both their officers and the communities they serve,” stated Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. of the COPS Office.

In addition to the CTAS awards, the OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime awarded nearly 200 grants totaling more than $54 million through the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside, aimed at providing services for crime victims in Tribal communities. Furthermore, the OJP’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking awarded 20 Tribes a total of $7 million to support the development of registration and notification systems.

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Questions from Critical Republicans:

1. How will the Justice Department ensure that these grants are effectively utilized to address public safety issues within Tribal communities, rather than being mismanaged or wasted?
2. What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success of these programs funded by the grants, and how will transparency be maintained throughout the process?
3. Given the ongoing challenges with crime in various communities, why should we prioritize funding for Tribal nations over other pressing law enforcement needs across the country?

Questions from Critical Democrats:

1. How does the Justice Department plan to engage with Tribal leaders and communities to ensure that their unique needs and cultural perspectives are reflected in the implementation of these grants?
2. What measures are being put in place to address the systemic issues that contribute to the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, beyond just the allocation of these funds?
3. In what ways will the DOJ ensure that the funds for combating human trafficking and domestic violence are effectively integrated with existing social services in Tribal communities?

Sources: Justice.gov, Midtown Tribune.,
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