This grant program supports the development and operation of nonprofit, nongovernmental tribal domestic violence, and sexual assault coalitions

Recognized tribal coalitions may use funding from the tribal coalitions program to: 1) increase awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault against indian or native hawaiian women; 2) enhance the response to violence against indian or native hawaiian women at the federal, state, and tribal levels; 3) identify and provide technical assistance to coalition membership and tribal communities or native hawaiian communities to enhance access to essential services to indian or native hawaiian women victimized by domestic and sexual violence, including SEX trafficking; and 4) assist indian tribes or native hawaiian communities in developing and promoting state, local, and tribal legislation and policies that enhance best practices for responding to violent crimes against indian or native hawaiian women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, SEX trafficking, and stalking. With this funding, minnesota indian womens sexual assault coalition (miwsac) will serve 11 federally recognized tribes in minnesota, as well as tribal communities located in rural, suburban, and the urban areas. Miwsac will provide members, allies, and tribal governments with services, training and technical assistance support for capacity building, education, prevention, public awareness, policy and systems change, and information to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking of native women. Miwsac will 1) strengthen efforts to prevent and end sexual violence against AI/an women; 2) enhance tribal, state, and federal responses to sexual violence against AI/an women; 3) identify and provide training, education, and technical assistance to coalition membership, tribal communities, and allies; 4) work with local sexual assault programs and other providers of direct services for sexual assault victims to encourage appropriate responses to sexual assault within the state, territory, or tribe;5.) design and conduct public education campaigns on sexual assault; AND6) collaborate with and inform federal, state, or local public officials and agencies to develop and implement policies to reduce or eliminate sexual assault. The timing for performance of this award is 12 months.