Department of Justice (DOJ) Tribal Consultation on Tribal Public Safety & Criminal Justice Funding
The DOJ administers many grant opportunities available to Tribes. In response to concerns raised by Tribes about aspects of the DOJ’s funding mechanisms, the DOJ assembled a working group to examine options for improving funding opportunities for Tribes, including consideration of potential legislative proposals. This working group identified several suggestions the DOJ has received from Tribes and advocates on potential pathways for improvement. A framing paper outlining issues for discussion and providing background information accompanies this letter. Please note that the Tribal consultation will be closed to the press to protect confidential information that may be discussed during the sessions. To allow the sessions to run more smoothly, please register if you plan to attend a session on the list below:
Anchorage, Alaska – October 22, 2024 | 2:30pm – 4:30pm AK | This consultation session will be held in coordination with the Alaska Intertribal Technical Assistance Working Group meeting. Up-to-date information can be found on the meeting information page, linked above.
Las Vegas, Nevada – October 30, 2024 | 12;45pm-2:15pm PT | This consultation session will be held in coordination with the National Congress of American Indians 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace, please check above link for up-to- date information.
Virtual – November 4, 2024 | 3:00pm-5:00pm ET | Join Virtual Meeting.
Virtual – November 6, 2024 | 3:00pm-5:00pm ET | Join Virtual Meeting.
Pojoaque Pueblo (Santa Fe, New Mexico) – November 19-21, 2024 | This consultation session will be held in coordination with the 19th Annual Government- to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. In addition to oral testimony at the event, Tribal leaders may provide written comments by the deadline below.
The DOJ welcomes your written comments, which can be submitted either by email to OTJ@usdoj.gov or by mail to Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530- 0001 by November 25, 2024.
The DOJ acknowledges that they generally give 30-days advanced notice prior to holding a Nation-to- Nation consultation and for a written comment period following the final consultation session. Given this consultation responds to existing robust engagement with Tribes on the critical issue of Tribal public safety and criminal justice funding and due to timing considerations, they have provided the above consultation schedule, which offers multiple opportunities and platforms for Tribes to engage in the consultation over several weeks throughout the months of October and November. The DOJ seeks Tribal views on what changes to funding programs and methods would best meet the current public safety and criminal justice needs of Tribes. The attached framing paper provides a few questions to orient the discussion, but the DOJ welcomes additional topics during the consultation. If you have any questions regarding this Tribal Consultation series, or need any accommodations for the sessions, please contact OTJ at OTJ@usdoj.gov, or by phone at 202-514-8812. The DOJ looks forward to your participation in these important Nation-to-Nation consultation sessions.
Invitation: www.justice.gov/media/1373391/dl
Framing Paper: www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-consultation-framing-paper-tribal-public-safety-and-criminal-justice-funding