Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $207,159)
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Office to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist state, local and tribal jurisdictions in implementing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support compliance with Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders.
In order for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (Turtle Mountain) to comply with the Adam Walsh Act, the Tribe will establish a Sex Offender Registration Office. This grant will support the creation of this office to include staffing personnel and providing necessary equipment. The Tribe will undertake an assessment process that will identify the steps and functions necessary to establish a sex offender registry. The Tribe will enter into discussions with relevant tribal, state and federal entities that the Tribe has identified as potential partners in implementing the registry. These partnerships will be accomplished through Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) designed to support and strengthen the project. Turtle Mountain will work with the State of North Dakota and the United States Attorney's Office to create the initial registry of sex offenders that are in the Turtle Mountain jurisdiction. These offenders will be required to make in-person appearances with the Turtle Mountain Sex Offender Registration Office to register and receive notification about their registration and compliance duties under SORNA. The Tribe will also work to amend tribal code to include all misdemeanor sexual offences. Turtle Mountain will also implement a community awareness and public education campaign to educate all tribal members about SORNA requirements and the establishment of the Turtle Mountain Sex Offender Registry.
ca/ncf