Montana Tribes to Get $3.2 Million from 2023 Justice Department Grants

BILLINGS, Mont. - Big news is coming out of the Justice Department's Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS)! A whopping $96.7 million in grants has been awarded to 111 American Indian and Alaska Native communities, benefiting 182 different projects across the nation. Stealing the spotlight are Montana's tribal nations, which are collectively receiving a significant $3.2 million to enhance public safety and justice.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland championed the importance of the CTAS initiative, emphasizing that the program is founded on the belief that tribal communities know their public safety needs best. The newly announced grants are laser-focused on several key areas: improving law enforcement capabilities, battling gender-based and domestic violence, and delivering much-needed support to victims. The Justice Department is fully committed to standing beside tribal communities in their quest to make their neighborhoods safer.

Joining the chorus, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta reinforced the Justice Department's dedication to empowering tribal sovereignty. She stressed that these financial awards are a collaborative endeavor to break down barriers that have traditionally made it difficult for tribal communities to access resources for public safety.

U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, representing Montana's District, couldn't be more thrilled about the funds earmarked for three Montana tribes. He underscored the far-reaching impact of these resources, which range from fortifying justice programs and law enforcement agencies to uplifting services for victims of domestic violence and expanding youth programs.

Here's the breakdown of the Montana tribes benefiting from the CTAS grants:

• Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation: A total of $1,435,232 is allocated, with $1,335,237 aimed at the Tribal Justice Infrastructure Program, and $99,995 for the Tribal Youth Program.
• Crow Tribe of Indians: They’re receiving $500,000 exclusively for their Tribal Youth Program.
• Northern Cheyenne Tribe: The tribe is getting $1,328,909, with allocations covering Public Safety and Community Policing, Comprehensive Tribal Justice Systems Strategic Planning, Children's Justice Act Partnerships, and their own Tribal Youth Program.

These grants serve multiple objectives, from bolstering Tribal justice systems and fortifying law enforcement responses to managing child abuse cases effectively, combating domestic and sexual violence, and supporting youth programs. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) are the main administrators of these funds.

And that’s not all. Beyond the CTAS grants, other components of the Justice Department are rolling out additional funding for tribal communities. For instance, OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime has set aside nearly $70 million to uplift services for tribal victims of crimes, including human trafficking. Furthermore, OJP’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking has earmarked over $8.5 million to help 24 tribes comply with federal sex offender laws.

Out of the total $96.7 million granted through CTAS, the OJP is distributing over $66 million, while the COPS Office is contributing nearly $30 million to assist 49 tribes in hiring essential personnel and procuring vital resources.

With the Justice Department's generous $96.7 million investment through the CTAS program, the message is loud and clear: the U.S. government is committed to ensuring that American Indian and Alaska Native communities are safer, stronger, and more sovereign. These grants are a monumental step in enhancing tribal law enforcement capabilities and addressing the public safety concerns that matter most.