In a significant move to support indigenous communities, seven tribal nations in western Washington have been awarded funds by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), as announced by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The grants, aimed at enhancing services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, are designed to reinforce the judicial capacity of these communities to prosecute non-Indian offenders and support victims on tribal lands.
There is a persistent issue haunting Native American communities: women face domestic violence assaults at rates notably higher than most. Addressing this, U.S. Attorney Gorman said, "Native women suffer domestic violence assaults at a disproportionately higher rate than other communities," in a statement detailed by the Department of Justice. "These grants enhance the efforts of our tribal partners to hold offenders accountable and promote healing for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault."
Under the 2024 Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction Grant Program, three tribes – the Quileute Tribe, the Lummi Nation, and the Tulalip Tribes – received grants to bolster their legal infrastructure, enabling them to prosecute crimes against Indian victims by non-Indians on tribal land. With figures reaching $1,710,078 for the Quileute Tribe, $863,977 for the Lummi Nation, and $1.5 million for the Tulalip Tribes, these funds are specifically earmarked for legal proceedings within tribal courts.
The Tulalip Tribes, boasted by the generous allocation, are the beneficiaries of two other OVW grants totaling $1.7 million. They received $500,000 to enhance the investigation of domestic abuse and related crimes. An additional $1.2 million is lined up to fortify crisis intervention services, ensuring victims have access to housing, legal aid, and therapeutic support. Meanwhile, the Lummi Nation was embraced with $800,000, a gesture to safeguard victims through safety planning and offering them shelter.
Support services stream into other tribal communities as well. For instance, the Suquamish Indian Tribe is slated to utilize $1.2 million to bolster its crime victim support apparatus, solidify housing stability, and offer civil legal services at no cost. The Quinault Indian Nation is infused with $1,199,960, fostering its advocacy, shelter provisions, and legal services. The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, entrusted with $900,000, is set to develop transitional housing solutions and a specialized therapy program targeting youth who have endured domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault. Completing the circle of support, the Skokomish Indian Tribe receives a boost to its crisis infrastructure with $501,601, expanding hotline capacity and crisis advocacy.