Catawba Nation Courts and Peacemaking Center

The Catawba Indian Nation is a federally recognized Tribe located on its ancestral lands along the banks of the Catawba River in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The Catawba are a resilient people who wish to become a beacon of justice in Indian country by promoting understanding, community, and healing through the creation of their first modern justice system. With this funding, the Tribe will complete the existing construction project to establish a multipurpose justice center to house its Tribal Courts, Police Department, and Victim Services Department. Over the last several years, the Tribe has grown exponentially, and there is currently no extra space at the Tribe’s government building to house either courts or the Police Department; several staff members are already sharing offices. Housing these justice services together is more convenient to Tribal citizens and victims, who can visit one building for their justice needs rather than taking many trips to separate buildings to address their needs. In addition, having these services in one building will also encourage and ensure these programs do not work in silos but rather offer services in a holistic manner.