SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A U.S. Department of Justice grant of $610,000 was awarded to the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation to respond to and prevent sexual assault.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa R. Waldref announced the award on Friday.
“This latest grant award demonstrates the federal government’s continued commitment to combatting sexual violence, including within Tribal communities in Eastern Washington, which disproportionately impacts women and vulnerable populations," said Waldref. "Victims of sexual assault deserve to live in a world where they feel safe – free from abuse and the fear of abuse.”
The grant will allow the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to hire one full-time sexual assault advocate to provide crisis intervention, emergency services, advocacy and referrals.
The Kalispel Tribe also will use the grant money to manage an emergency hotline and develop materials to provide resources and support to survivors of sexual assault.
“The Kalispel Tribe is deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people and our community,” said Kalispel Vice Chair and Executive Director of Kalispel Casino & Government Affairs, Curt Holmes. “We have invested in a robust Victim Assistance Services program for the past 21 years. This grant funding will allow us to add much needed additional staff as we serve approximately 760 victims each year. Not only do we serve tribal members and non-tribal members, we are also a frequent referral source for law enforcement agencies, other victim service providers, and social service agencies in both Spokane and Pend Oreille Counties. As the need in our community continues to grow, the Kalispel Tribe is committed to providing victims with valuable resources in an effort to break the cycle of violence.”
According to a press release, the Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services (KTVAS) provides services throughout Pend Oreille County, including the Ione and Metaline Falls areas, and Spokane Counties including the West Plains Region of Cheney, Airway Heights and the U.S. Airforce Base at Fairchild.
KTVAS also serves Kalispel Tribal Members and members from other tribes, as they are the only Tribal Victim Service program on the east side of Washington that provides culturally specific services to Native Americans.
Funding for the grant was awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Sexual Assault Services Program.
The program supports projects to create, maintain and expand sustainable sexual assault services provided by tribes, tribal organizations and nonprofit tribal organizations within Indian country and Alaska Native villages.
