4 MN tribes gain federal funds to help with crime, opioid abuse

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded grants to four tribes in Minnesota for seven public safety initiatives.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, announced the funding, which will be used to tailor programs to each tribe's unique needs.

“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,” Smith stated in a news release.

“Tribes know best how to reduce crime and substance abuse on their lands. These grants are directly supporting tribally-driven solutions to these challenges.”

Each grant ranged from $450,000 to $900,000, and will be used for wellness courts in White Earth and Mille Lacs, among other programs like medication-assisted therapy in the Red Lake Detention Center.

“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," stated Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr.

"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."

Lori Thompson, court administrator for White Earth Tribal Court, said the wellness program will continue to improve the quality of life of 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,” she added.

“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.”

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

The Mille Lacs Band received $450,000 to help staff the Child Advocacy Center, which investigates child abuse and neglect cases, in addition to serving children and families impacted by child abuse and neglect.

Another $500,000 will fund the creation of two youth facilitator and cultural apprentice positions to work with youths to reduce absenteeism and disciplinary referrals and improve academics.

And $516,703 in funding will be used to expand the culturally based Tribal Healing to Wellness Court, with a goal to reduce recidivism.

Red Lake Band of Chippewa

In Red Lake Nation, $900,000 in federal funds will be used to develop, implement and operate a medication-assisted treatment program in the Red Lake Detention Center to combat the opioid crisis.

Another $450,000 will enhance the existing Red Lake Victim Services program and establish a team that focuses on services for child abuse, including hiring a full-time child crime victim specialist.

White Earth Nation

The White Earth Tribal Court received $895,556 to assist with intensive court supervision, frequent home contacts, and increasing participants' ability to live independently. This will create positive changes for community safety that reduce drug abuse, criminal activity, and re-arrest rates, according to officials.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

In Leech Lake, the $897,429 grant will be used to hire a case manager for the police department to help coordinate resources and connect to citizens to support after contact with law enforcement related to opioid addiction or overdose. This funding will also facilitate the hire of a court administrator, who will be responsible for connecting probationers with case managers.