Finkenauer Announces Violence-Prevent Grant for Meskwaki Nation

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) on Wednesday announced that the Meskwaki Nation will receive a grant of more than $766,000 to prevent and respond to violence against Native women.

The Department of Justice’s Resources for Indigenous Survivors and Empowerment (RISE) Program aims to decrease the incidence of violence against native women, strengthen tribes’ capacity to respond to crimes against women and hold perpetrators accountable.

The three-year grant will allow the Meskwaki Nation to hire a full-time case manager who will assist survivors with employment, transportation and other needs; support a transitional housing and prevention specialist to assist clients with housing needs and provide domestic and sexual violence education; and recruit and hire a part-time police officer with specialized training on domestic violence and working with survivors.

"Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home and in their community,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “This RISE grant will provide essential support to ensure the Meskwaki Nation has the resources and expertise to fight violence against women, and that Native women have equal access to support services."