The catawba indian nation is a federally recognized tribe located on its ancestral lands along the banks of the catawba river in rock hill, south carolina

The Catawba Indian Nation was awarded a $1,600,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Tribal Justice Assistance Program (CFDA 16.596). The grant funding will support the establishment of a multipurpose Justice Center to house the tribe's tribal courts, police department, and victim services department. This will provide a centralized location for the tribe's justice services, improving convenience and enabling a more holistic approach to service delivery for tribal citizens and victims. The project will complete an existing construction initiative to build the new Justice Center facility, addressing the tribe's lack of dedicated space for these critical functions due to recent population growth. The grant award has an initial project period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029.

The catawba are a resilient people who wish to become a beacon of justice in indian country by promoting understanding, community, and healing through the creation of their first modern justice system. With this funding, the tribe will complete the existing construction project to establish a multipurpose justice center to house its tribal courts, police department, and victim services department. Over the last several years, the tribe has grown exponentially, and there is currently no extra space at the tribes government building to house either courts or the police department; several staff members are already sharing offices. Housing these justice services together is more convenient to tribal citizens and victims, who can visit one building for their justice needs rather than taking many trips to separate buildings to address their needs. In addition, having these services in one building will also encourage and ensure these programs do not work in silos but rather offer services in a holistic manner.