"Some $248 million is now available for tribes to meet their criminal justice needs, including money for programs addressing domestic and sexual violence, the Department of Justice announced this week.

“Up to 40 percent of the women we serve in our shelter are Indian women,” said Cindy Weese, director of the YWCA of Missoula. “One of the reasons we're serving high numbers is they don't have access to those services on reservations. The stimulus funding coming directly to tribes is great.”

The money comes with rapidly approaching deadlines for tribes hoping to capture part of the $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for Indian Country. The act makes available $248 million for criminal justice, including $225 million for correctional facilities, $20.8 million for tribal government grants and $2.8 million for tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition grants.

Representatives of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation must meet a Thursday application deadline in which the tribal government will seek $1 million from the Justice Department to address domestic violence on the reservation.

The money will be used specifically for women on the reservation."

Get the Story:
Department of Justice announces $248M for tribes (The Missoulian 4/8)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
H.R.1 | S.1

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