Here’s how $4.6M in federal grants will assist public safety on four Minnesota reservations

Four tribal nations in Minnesota have received $4.6 million in federal grants for various public safety initiatives, from opioid abuse to child welfare.

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., announced Tuesday that the grants are being awarded to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Nation.

“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 said in a news release.

Native Americans in Minnesota are seven times more likely to die of a drug overdose than white Minnesotans, according to the state’s Department of Health. The ripple effect of addiction impacts families and strains tribal courts and agencies that have historically had inequitable access to resources.

Here’s how tribes are planning to use the funding.

An $897,000 grant will go toward hiring a case manager for the tribal police department and a court administrator. When officers respond to opioid overdoses, or court staff work with those on probation, they can connect the person with the case manager.

“By bringing on additional staff, we will improve our efforts to connect those affected by addiction with the resources they need for recovery,” said Leech Lake Tribal Police Chief Kenneth Washington in the release. “Our goal is to reduce the cycle of addiction and offer real support to individuals and families impacted by this crisis.”

A $450,000 grant will go toward supporting staff at the Child Advocacy Center to investigate child abuse and neglect cases while supporting victims.

An additional $517,000 will expand a culturally based tribal healing to wellness court. Another $500,000 grant will go toward hiring and training a youth facilitator and cultural apprentice staffer to reduce absenteeism and improve academics.

Virgil Wind, chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band, said the grants will “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,” Wind said.

A $450,00 grant will invest in Red Lake Victim Services and establish a new team focused on child abuse. That involves hiring a full-time victim specialist and contracting with a trainer for healing ceremonies.

Another $900,000 will go toward developing a medication-assisted treatment program in the Red Lake Detention Center to combat the opioid crisis.

“The result will be a safer community for everyone,” said Chairman Darrell G. Seki Sr.

An $895,556 grant is directed to the White Earth Tribal Court to a reduce drug abuse, recidivism and associated criminal activity through modern and traditional support options.

“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.