The grants to indian tribal governments program assists tribal governments, and authorized designees of tribal governments, to 1) decrease the incidence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual…

The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women awarded $790,435 to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians on October 1, 2025, under the Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments program (CFDA 16.587).

The recipient will provide shelter and transitional housing assistance, victim advocacy services, legal advocacy and representation assistance through a contract attorney, and awareness and educational materials and outreach to law enforcement, tribal elders, youths, and schools. These services address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking affecting the Houlton Band's tribal community in Aroostook County, Maine.

The Maliseet Advocacy Center, an agency of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Government, operates as the implementing entity. The tribe has partnered with the Wabanaki Women's Coalition to plan the project.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028. This is a continuation award.

The grants to indian tribal governments program assists tribal governments, and authorized designees of tribal governments, to 1) decrease the incidence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, SEX trafficking, and stalking in tribal communities; 2) strengthen the capacity of tribes to exercise their sovereign authority to respond to these violent crimes; and 3) ensure that perpetrators of these violent crimes are held accountable for their criminal behavior. The houlton band of maliseet indians is a federally recognized tribe located in aroostook county, maine. The maliseet advocacy center, an agency of the houlton band of maliseet indians tribal government, works to address violence against indian women providing a full array of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and SEX trafficking victim services. With this funding, the houlton band of maliseet indians will provide: 1) shelter and transitional housing assistance; 2) victim advocacy services; 3) legal advocacy and representation assistance through a contract attorney; and 4) awareness and educational materials and outreach to law enforcement, tribal elders, youths, and schools. The houlton band of maliseet indians has partnered with the wabanaki women's coalition to plan this project. The is a continuation award.