The OVW special tribal criminal jurisdiction (STCJ) grant program was authorized by the indian civil rights act of 1968 (codified as amended at 25 U.S.C. 1304(H)(2)) to support tribes in their efforts…

The Lummi Indian Business Council, a federally recognized tribal government, was awarded a $863,977 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) Grant Program (CFDA 16.025). The grant will support the Lummi Nation's efforts to implement the STCJ over non-Indians who commit covered crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual assault, within the tribe's jurisdictional boundaries. Project activities include hiring a STCJ Project Coordinator and Deputy Tribal Prosecutor, revising the tribal code and court procedures to align with STCJ requirements, and developing policies and procedures for appointing public defenders for indigent STCJ defendants. This multi-year grant, with a performance period from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029, aims to strengthen the Lummi Nation's criminal justice system and ensure victim safety and accountability for non-Indian offenders.

The OVW special tribal criminal jurisdiction (STCJ) grant program was authorized by the indian civil rights act of 1968 (codified as amended at 25 U.S.C. 1304(H)(2)) to support tribes in their efforts to exercise STCJ over non-indians who commit covered crimes within the tribes jurisdictional boundaries and provide technical assistance for planning and implementing changes in their criminal justice systems necessary to exercise the jurisdiction. Covered crimes are: assault of tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; SEX trafficking; stalking; and violation of a protection order. Grant recipients are committed to exercising the jurisdiction to ensure that victims find safety and justice and that non-indians who commit covered crimes within their jurisdiction are held accountable. The lummi nation is a federally recognized tribe located in bellingham, washington. Through this new tribal jurisdiction award, the office of the reservation attorneys, in partnership with the tribal council, chief judge, senior prosecutor, tribal counsel, public defender, probation, chief of police and victims of crime program, will implement this project. Project activities include: 1) supporting a STCJ project coordinator and deputy tribal prosecutor; 2) revising the tribal code and court procedures to align with STCJ implementation requirements; and 3) developing policies and procedures on appointing a public defender for indigent STCJ defendants.