Sen. Murray on Grants to WA Tribes: “Will Help Ensure Critical Protections Are In Place For Tribal Communities”

Six Department of Justice grants totaling $2,794,440 will improve public safety practices

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced six tribes in Washington state will receive awards through the Department of Justice’s Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS). The Department developed CTAS through its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Office of Justice Programs and Office on Violence Against Women. The six Native American tribes receiving awards are the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Puyallup Tribal Council, Skokomish Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe, and the Suquamish Tribe.

“These grants will help ensure critical protections are in place for tribal communities, as we continue to look for long-term solutions to reduce the disproportionate rate of violence experienced by tribal members,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I will continue to stand and fight for protections for tribal sovereignty and public safety, through programs to improve community policing and reduce domestic violence.”

The awards going to Washington state tribes total $2,794,440. Nationwide, the Department of Justice grants announced today total more than $97 million, and enhance law enforcement practices, victim services, and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in nine purpose areas; public safety and community policing; justice systems planning: alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs.

Senator Murray is a proud champion of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA) and extending its protections to Native American women. Last year, Senator Murray applauded a pilot project authorized by VAWA which granted three American Indian tribes, including the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction over all domestic abusers, regardless of the defendant’s Indian or non-Indian status.