U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Tribal Leaders Announce Tribal Public Safety Projects

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, announced funding for seven public safety initiatives for four Minnesota Tribes. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and White Earth Nation received federal funding ranging between $450,000 and $900,000 for various Tribal programs aimed at increasing Tribal capacity to respond to violent crime, opioid abuse, and assist victims. Projects will be tailored to each Tribe's unique needs, from expanding Tribal Courts' capacities for home visits and supervision, to hiring staff to investigate child abuse and neglect cases, to onboarding personnel who coordinate resources to help those dealing with opioid addiction. Tribal leadership in Minnesota have long advocated for greater federal assistance for Tribal public safety efforts to respond to the opioid epidemic and violent crime.

"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 Senator Tina 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."

"This grant is crucial in enhancing our ability to respond to the opioid epidemic. 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," said Leech Lake Tribal Police Chief Kenneth Washington.

"We are deeply thankful for the support provided through this funding. 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. It is through initiatives like this that we can foster healing and work toward a healthier future for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe," said Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson Sr.

"With funding from these two awards, Red Lake will be able expand services for children who may have been victims of crime, in a culturally-based and trauma-informed manner. And 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," said Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr.

"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Senator Tina Smith for her unwavering support of Minnesota's Tribal Nations. 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. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe," said Virgil Wind, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

"White Earth Tribal Court is thrilled to be awarded grant funding from the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation for their Wellness Court program. The funding will help the program to continue improving the quality of life of the participants in leading clean, sober, independent and productive lives; with the option of participating in the best-practices principles of an Anishinaabe Mino-Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life) traditional/cultural model of living life," said Lori Thompson, Court Administrator for White Earth Tribal Court. "The program helps protect the public through increasing public safety, reducing crime/recidivism, and making participants and the community whole by giving clients the option of both modern and traditional support options."

A full list of projects and funding amounts can be found below.

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Children's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Program ($450,000)

• This funding will be used to staff the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), which investigates child abuse and neglect cases, in addition to serving children and families impacted by child abuse and neglect.

Healing to Wellness Court Capacity Building ($516,703)

• This funding will expand MLBO's Court of Central Jurisdiction, a culturally based Tribal Healing to Wellness Court. Project goals include increased capacity, increased accountability, greater Tribal community support, and reduced recidivism.

Youth and Academic Cultural Intervention ($500,000)

• MLBO will hire or transition two staff into a Youth Facilitator and Cultural Apprentice position, who will meet work with youth in the area to develop tailored Youth Service Agreements. Goals include reducing absenteeism, reduction of disciplinary referrals, and academic improvement.

Red Lake Band of Chippewa

Children's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities Program ($450,000)

• The Red Lake Band of Chippewa will enhance the existing Red Lake Victim Services program and establish a multidisciplinary team that focuses on services for child abuse. Red Lake will hire a full time Child Crime Victim Specialist and will contract with a trainer to provide traditional healing ceremonies.

Red Lake Detention Medication Assisted Treatment Program ($900,000)

• Red Lake will use this funding to develop, implement, and operate a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program in the Red Lake Detention Center to combat the opioid crisis.

White Earth Nation

White Earth Wellness Court ($895,556)

• With this funding the White Earth Tribal Court will promote community safety and well-being through intensive court supervision, frequent home contacts, and increase participants' ability to live independently to create positive changes that lead to a reduction in drug abuse and associated criminal activity and reduce re-arrest rates.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

Leech Lake Community Opioid Response Project ($897,429)

• With this funding, LLBO will hire a case manager for the police department to help coordinate resources and connect citizens to support after contact with law enforcement related to opioid addiction or overdose. LLBO will also hire a court administrator who will be responsible for helping to connect individuals on probation with the case manager and for tracking the impact of this coordination on the outcomes of those served by this grant.

Senator Smith has long been an advocate for providing Tribes with the help they need to keep their members safe. She routinely advocates for robust funding of these programs through the Congressional appropriations process. Her Justice for Native Survivors of Sexual Violence Act, which allowed Tribes to prosecute non-Native perpetrators in cases of sexual violence, domestic and dating violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and obstruction of justice committed on Tribal lands, was signed into law as part of the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization in 2022.

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