Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer delivered welcome remarks at the Navajo Nation on May 21, 2024, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to protecting Tribal communities and affirming Tribal sovereignty.
Mizer stated, "I am honored to be here with leaders and members of the Navajo Nation. And I am proud to represent our Attorney General and my many Justice Department colleagues, who are working hard, every day, to strengthen our government-to-government relationship with Tribal nations."
He highlighted that discussions with Tribal leaders are foundational to the Department’s policy and resource decisions. He noted that feedback from these discussions has shaped the work of three grantmaking components: the Office of Justice Programs, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Last year, these components awarded over $269 million to support Tribal public safety.
"We’ve heard from Tribal leaders that these investments are paying dividends," Mizer said. However, he acknowledged ongoing difficulties Tribes face in accessing DOJ funding and outlined steps being taken to address these issues.
First, efforts are underway to streamline the grant application process by shortening questions and reducing requirements. For example, OVW now offers a fillable proposal narrative for its Tribal Governments Program.
Second, additional training and technical assistance are being provided to support applicants. This includes publishing FAQs and training documents online, increasing staffing in Tribal divisions of grantmaking components, and offering various forms of support such as teleconferences and workshops.
Third, measures have been implemented to make grants more sustainable and predictable. Performance periods for many Tribal-specific grants have been extended from three to five years. Additionally, OVW launched a new non-competitive program this year to reimburse Tribes for expenses related to exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction.
Mizer also mentioned future plans for reducing reporting requirements starting fiscal year 2025 and exploring ways to give Tribes greater autonomy in determining how to spend grant funds within statutory limits.
He announced a new initiative based on recommendations from the Not Invisible Act Commission's report on missing or murdered Indigenous peoples. OVW issued a solicitation for creating Healing and Response Teams that provide culturally appropriate responses when someone goes missing.
In conclusion, Mizer reaffirmed the Justice Department's commitment: "We are whole-heartedly committed to continuing to work with you... Our goal is to bring more accessible, more responsive grant funding to American Indian and Alaska Native communities throughout our nation."