With AWA award funds, the grand traverse band of ottawa and chippewa indians aim to strengthen the tribes capacity to track, manage, and enforce SEX offender registration and community notification…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Sex Offender Sentencing Monitoring Apprehending Registering and Tracking awarded $302,791 to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians on March 1, 2026, under the Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program (CFDA 16.750).

The Grand Traverse Band will strengthen tribal capacity to track, manage, and enforce sex offender registration and community notification requirements under federal SORNA standards. Work includes maintaining, monitoring, and updating GTB SORNA code with proposed revisions; enhancing the GTB sex offender registry system through updated technology and improved information-sharing mechanisms; providing training and technical assistance for law enforcement personnel on SORNA compliance; and conducting community outreach and education to raise awareness of sex offender registration policies and safety measures. The initiative addresses enforcement challenges arising from non-Native residents on reservation and GTB lands and coordination gaps between GTB and law enforcement agencies unfamiliar with GTB SORNA regulations.

Performance occurs in Suttons Bay, Michigan, with a period of performance through February 28, 2029.

With AWA award funds, the grand traverse band of ottawa and chippewa indians aim to strengthen the tribes capacity to track, manage, and enforce SEX offender registration and community notification requirements following federal sorna standards. This project is necessary to protect tribal communities, ensure public safety, and support law enforcement agencies in maintaining an up-to-date, accessible, and effective SEX offender registry.many non-native people reside on the reservation and GTB lands, which is problematic with enforcing jurisdictional sorna laws and supervision between GTB and law enforcement agencies that are unaware of GTB sorna regulations. The goal of the GTB is to enhance the current sorna program to continue to meet the requirements of sorna, including sustainability and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. The goal will be achieved with the following objectives: 1) maintain, monitor, update GTB sorna code, and propose revisions; 2) enhance the gtbs SEX offender registry system through updated technology and improved information-sharing mechanisms; 3) provide training and technical assistance for law enforcement personnel on sorna compliance; and 4)conduct community outreach and education to raise awareness of SEX offender registration policies and safety measures.