8 October 2024
MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Senator Tina Smith announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8 that four Minnesota tribal nations will be receiving federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to improve public safety and combat the opioid epidemic.
As a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Smith said in a release that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Nation will each receive between $450,000 and $900,000 for various programs aimed at reducing crime, addressing opioid abuse and supporting victims.
The projects will focus on expanding tribal courts, hiring staff for child abuse investigations, and coordinating resources for those battling opioid addiction.
“Tribal leaders have been consistently clear that they need more support from the federal government to combat the opioid epidemic and prosecute crimes on their lands, and we have a trust responsibility to assist tribal governments to keep their people safe,” said Smith. “Tribes know best how to reduce crime and substance abuse on their lands. These grants are directly supporting tribally-driven solutions to these challenges.”
Tribal leaders’ support
Leech Lake Tribal Police Chief Kenneth Washington emphasized the grant’s role in enhancing addiction recovery efforts.
“This grant is crucial in enhancing our ability to respond to the opioid epidemic,” he explained. “By bringing on additional staff, we will improve our efforts to connect those affected by addiction with the resources they need for recovery. Our goal is to reduce the cycle of addiction and offer real support to individuals and families impacted by this crisis.”
Leech Lake Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson Sr. expressed his appreciation for the support, stating, “The opioid crisis has had a profound impact on our community, and this grant will empower us to better serve our people by expanding essential services and support systems.”
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr. highlighted the benefits of victim services and opioid treatment.
“With funding from these two awards, Red Lake will be able to expand services for children who may have been victims of crime, in a culturally-based and trauma-informed manner,” he said. “Red Lake will also be able to provide medication-assisted treatment at the Red Lake Detention facility as part of our efforts to address the opioid crisis and heal those in need. The result will be a safer community for everyone.”
Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Virgil Wind thanked Senator Smith for the support and added, “These grants not only reflect her commitment to our community but also provide us with the resources needed to enhance the well-being of our members and uphold our cultural values.”
White Earth Tribal Court Administrator Lori Thompson celebrated the support for White Earth’s Wellness Court program.
“The funding will help the program continue improving the quality of life of the participants in leading clean, sober, independent and productive lives,” she said.
Funding breakdown
Red Lake Nation will receive $450,000 from the Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Program for child victim services, and $900,000 to implement a Medication Assisted Treatment Program at the Red Lake Detention Center.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will receive $897,429 for the Leech Lake Community Opioid Response Project to hire staff to coordinate recovery resources.
White Earth Nation will receive $895,556 for the White Earth Wellness Court to enhance community safety through intensive supervision.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will receive $450,000 from the Children’s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Program for Child Advocacy Center staffing, along with $516,703 for expanding the Healing to Wellness Court Capacity Building program and $500,000 for the Youth and Academic Cultural Intervention program.
“Senator Smith has long championed increased federal support for tribes, including advocating for funding through the Congressional appropriations process,” the release said. “Her Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act, signed into law in 2022 as part of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, allows tribes to prosecute non-Native perpetrators of sexual violence and related crimes on tribal lands.”
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