The white earth band of chippewa indians is a federally recognized tribe located in northwestern minnesota and spanning the counties of mahnomen, becker and clearwater counties

The White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians received a $896,359 project grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Justice System Infrastructure Program for Indian Tribes. The funding will support community safety and recidivism reduction services through two new Tribal Assistant Correction Agent positions. Services will include risk and needs assessments, probation support, and referrals to reentry programs like Grassroots Warrior Path for Native American offenders returning to the White Earth reservation from state or local incarceration. A pardon and forgiveness policy will also be developed to address post-incarceration barriers. Training on tribal history and culture will be provided to surrounding county agencies to strengthen collaboration. Anticipated outcomes include reduced jail and prison admission and revocation rates, lower caseloads through diversion programs, and decreased crime rates and emergency calls, ultimately lessening the financial burden on tribal and county resources. The grant period runs from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2027.

With this funding, white earth will: goal 1) promote community safety and quality of lives of people in the community by reducing recidivism including rearrest, RE-conviction, and incarceration. The court is requesting funding to hire two (2) tribal assistant correction agents to work collaboratively with the department of corrections to identify native american offenders returning to the reservation. Planning and assessments will occur prior to offenders being released from prison. The tribal assistant corrections agents will facilitate a wecare assessment prior to release and to provide probation services while in the community. They will also make referral, based on level of need, to services including the grass roots warrior path program. A pardon and forgiveness code and policy will be drafted to address the barriers to finding housing and employment. To build community and a strong collaboration, state and county agencies will receive training on white earth history, historical trauma, trauma informed care and anishinabe values. Anticipated outcomes include: reduction of county jail and prison admission rates, reduction of revocation/ recidivism rates for the counties and reduction of district court caseloads through diversion, reduction of crime/police service calls, and ultimately reduce the financial burden on both county and tribal resources. White earth is requesting $896,359 under purpose area 3. The receipt of funding for purpose area 3 is not required for the implementation of any other purpose area being requested.