Emmonak shelter receives emergency funding
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One-time emergency funding for Emmonak Women’s Shelter was made available by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on June 29 according to a press release from Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Acting Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Donald E. “Del” Laverdure made the announcement that $50,000 would go to the shelter. The village’s only facility offering domestic violence protection was facing imminent closure due to a funding shortfall.
“By providing this one-time funding, the Bureau of Indian Affairs re-emphasizes the administration’s support for the prevention of domestic violence,” Laverdure said. “The protection of American Indian and Alaska Native victims of domestic violence is a priority for me and Secretary Salazar, and it is important that the Emmonak Women’s Shelter be able to continue offering help to those who need it.”
The 34-year-old facility serves families that live in the Emmonak region, including 13 rural villages surrounding Emmonak, and reportedly serves about 500 women and children each year. It is currently operating under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women, but is not expected to receive notification of new awards until September.
The BIA Office of Indian Services provided the one-time emergency funding to the Emmonak Village, a federally recognized tribe, under its Tribal Priority Allocation authority. The tribe, in turn, will send the funds to the shelter.