Lac Courte Oreilles Set to Receive $1.8M Justice Award from DOJ

On Thursday, September 27th, the Department of Justice announced 200 grants to more than 110 American Indian and Alaska Native nations. The grants provide $101 million to enhance law enforcement practices, and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; violence against women; elder abuse; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs. The awards are made through the department's Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), a single application for tribal-specific grant programs. The department developed CTAS through its Office of Community Oriented Policing, Office of Justice Programs and Office on Violence against Women.

The Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe was successful in receiving the following awards:

Purpose Area 7: Children's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Lead Agency: Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Child Welfare Department: A Multi-Disciplinary team approach to improve the reporting, investigating, prosecution and handling of child abuse cases. The Tribe will conduct a needs assessment and develop a strategic plan and logic model in order to effectively respond to children who are victims of child abuse, sexual abuse, and severe physical abuse. $450,000 for a three year project

Purpose Area 6: Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program Lead Agency: Oakwood Haven to consideration culture, tradition, alternative disciplines and resources including shelter to relieve historical trauma issues. $877,380 for a three year project

Purpose Area 1: Tribal Resources Grant Program — Hiring Lead Agency: Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police: Increase the capacity of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department through the hiring and training of new law enforcement officers. $327,828 for a three year project
Purpose Area 1: Tribal Resources Grant Program — Equipment and Training Lead Agency: Lac Courte Oreilles Conservation Department: Increase the community policing capacity of the Lac Courte Oreilles Conservation Department by upgrading equipment for Wardens. $149,834 for a three year project

The Childre's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Grant Program will improve the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and lessens trauma to child abuse victims. Lac Courte Oreilles was one of only six Tribes in the nation to receive that grant award.

Gordon Thayer, Tribal Chairman, stated that the projects were developed to address the most pressing criminal justice issues and provide increased safety for the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation, and that “we are especially grateful for receiving additional resources to help the most vulnerable children in our community.”