November 11, 2026 3:05 a.m.
On Tuesday, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that four Oregon Tribes have secured a combined $1,804,643 from the U.S. Department of Justice to develop, expand, and enhance culturally appropriate services for crime victims in tribal communities. This funding includes the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
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A release from the senators said four of the awards, which come from the DOJ’s Tribal Victim Set-Aside Services and the Services for the Victims of Crime programs, support tribes implementing trauma-informed, victim-centered services, including direct services like counseling and crisis intervention, culturally specific traditional healing, and infrastructure projects like building shelters or modular homes.
Merkley said, “This investment from the federal government will allow tribal communities across Oregon to provide critical services for survivors and their families to begin the process of recovery and healing.”
Wyden said, “I’m glad these federal resources are available to achieve those goals, and I’ll keep battling to secure similar funds for tribal communities throughout our state.”
The four recipients for the latest Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside program funding are as follows:
- $264,918 for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
- $494,092 for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- $284,130 for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
- $284,130 for the Klamath Tribes
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians Chair Carla Keene said, “The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians is grateful for this funding and the opportunity it provides to strengthen services for victims of crime in our community.” Keene said, “Supporting individuals and families who have experienced trauma is an important responsibility, and we are committed to ensuring they have access to the resources, advocacy, and culturally responsive care they need to heal and move forward.”
Funding also supports missing or murdered indigenous persons search efforts and family support, alongside strategic planning, community outreach, and provider training.