NAICJA News

Join our team! NAICJA is seeking a Program Attorney

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 21:03:28 GMT

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

NAICJA is seeking a Program Attorney to join us at our headquarters in Boulder, CO.

Applicants must have:

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
Substantial previous experience with American Indian and Alaska Native persons, communities and/or tribal justice systems
Background in training and technical assistance for tribal audiences
Experience in administering federal grants
Demonstrated experience managing budgets and producing financial reports
Strong ability to conduct outreach and manage large networks of partners
Experience in a management position and/or demonstrated ability to oversee staff
Must be in good standing with all jurisdictions where admitted to practice law

Please see the attached job description for more details and instructions to apply. Program Attorney Position Description.pdf

Closing date: August 5, 2019

Introduction to Peacemaking Training

Ansley Sherman — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 20:59:48 GMT

Introduction to Peacemaking Training

Join NAICJA and the Ho-Chunk Nation for an introductory training on peacemaking. Registration is free.

July 30-31, 2018

Ho-Chunk Nation, WI

RSVP

For more information, contact kate@naicja.org.

Full agenda and more information to follow.

American Indian Justice Conference

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 22:00:00 GMT

American Indian Justice Conference

December 7-8, 2017
Renaissance Palm Springs
agua caliente reservation, CA

Registration Information: Register here. This Conference is sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. No cost for registration, but participants must cover the costs of travel, lodging, and per diem/food. Click here to view the conference page.

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) and its collaborative partners will host the American Indian Justice Conference (AIJC) on the Agua Caliente Reservation in Southern California on December 7-8, 2017.

The goal of the AIJC is to provide training to enhance your tribal community’s response to combat alcohol and drug abuse, recognize how trauma impacts drug and alcohol abuse in tribal communities, and identify current trends and best practices for tribal justice systems to strengthen multi-disciplinary approaches to healing and justice. The five multi-disciplinary tracks include alcohol and substance abuse, tribal justice strategic planning, tribal courts, tribal security and probation, and tribal youth.

CTAS Purpose Area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9 grantees may use grant funds to attend the AIJC. Please confirm with your Program Manager that you have adequate travel and training funds remaining in your award.

UPDATE: This conference has received final approval by the Department of Justice.

For more information about the AIJC contact:

Ansley Sherman, ansley@naicja.org or 303-449-4112

www.naicja.org

SEE THE SAVE-THE-DATE: AICJ Save the Date FINAL.pdf

SEE THE AGENDA HERE

MORE INFORMATION HERE

This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-AC-BX-K004 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this training or website are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Register Now for a Tribal Court Tour of Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court (In association with the 2017 NAICJA National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference)

(Past member) — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court Tours

(In association with the 2017 NAICJA National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference)

Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2017

***Note: If you are taking the free shuttle, please meet 15 minutes ahead of time at the Isleta Casino Valet area. Shuttles will leave 10 minutes before each tour.

Tour #1 -1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Tour #2 - 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM

Tour #3 - 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Tour #4 - 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Tour #5 -3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Location:

Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court

3950 Hwy 47 SE,

Albuquerque, NM 87022

Who Should Attend: NAICJA Members

Tribal Court Judges, Peacemakers and Other Tribal Dispute Resolvers
Tribal Court System Personnel
Tribal Leaders
Tribal Organizational Staff
Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law Attorneys and Scholars
Federal and State Judiciaries and Court Personnel
Law Students
Anyone Interested in Tribal Justice Developments

Cost: Free

Register Here

Questions:

Contact Bridget McCleskey, NAICJA Conference Coordinator at:
Phone: (907) 854-9470
Email: confcoor@gmail.com

New Free Webinar - Register Now! Opioid Addiction & Treatment in Tribal Communities

(Past member) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 19:00:00 GMT

Opioid Addiction & Treatment in Tribal Communities

Thursday, October 5, 2017

12 pm PT / 1 pm MT / 2 pm CT / 3 pm ET (90 minutes)

Is your tribal court struggling to meet the needs of opioid addicts in your community? Do you want to know more about substance abuse treatment approaches for opioids and how they may affect participants in your court programs? Come join us for a FREE webinar to learn about opioid addiction and treatment!

Opioids are decimating communities across the nation. This webinar will discuss the challenges of opioid addiction and recovery. The rise of both prescription drug abuse and the return of heroin mean that many communities, particularly rural communities, are struggling with getting necessary services for treating opioid users. This is especially true of tribal communities. In addition, the journey to recovery for opioid users is long and complicated. Justice professionals who work with opioid users will benefit from having an understanding of the psychopharmacology behind opioid addiction and treatment for opioid addiction, including medically assisted treatment.

Moderators:

Gina Jackson (Te-Moak Western Shoshone), Program Director, National American Indian Court Judges Association

Faculty Presenter:

Sean Bear, 1st, Consultant, Native American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center
Honorable Kim McGinnis, PhD., Esq., Chief Judge, Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Court
Dr. Anne Skinstad, Clinical Professor & Director, Native American Indian and Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center

Click to Register

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Planning the Healing to Wellness Court: Inspiration and Vision to Get Started

(Past member) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 20:00:00 GMT

Wondering how to get started in developing a Healing to Wellness Court for your Tribe? In this free webinar you'll learn more about developing your vision and plan as well as hearing lessons learned. Join us, or even better, gather a team from your tribe to participate!

August 22, 2017 - 12:00pm PT, 1:00pm MT, 2:00pm CT, 3:00pm ET

Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts bring together community-healing resources with the tribal justice process, using a team approach to achieve the physical and spiritual healing of the participant and the well-being of the community. This webinar will walk participants through the visioning and foundation planning process to begin the development and implementation of a Healing to Wellness Court. Focus will be given to the key partners needed, as well as primary components that should eventually be reflected in your policies and procedures. You'll hear firsthand from seasoned tribal judges who will share reflections, tips, and lessons learned about their experience with developing their own Healing to Wellness Court.

Moderator:

Gina Jackson (Te-Moak Western Shoshone), Program Director, National American Indian Court Judges Association

Faculty Presenter:

Lauren van Schilfgaarde (Cochiti Pueblo), Tribal Law Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Hon. Jay Pedro (Gila River Indian Community), Gila River Indian Community Tribal Court
Hon. Carrie Garrow (Akwesasne Mohawk), Chief Judge, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court

Link to Register: https://ta2ta.org/webinars/registration/planning-the-healing-to-wellness-court-inspiration.html

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts: Key Components & Standards

(Past member) — Wed, 10 May 2017 17:48:46 GMT

Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts: Key Components & Standards

Free Webinar Session on:

Thursday, May 25, 2017 at

12 pm PT / 1 pm MT / 2 pm CT / 3 pm ET

(90 minutes)

Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts have experienced great success, even serving as models for other types of drug courts. Tribal Values and the Tribal Key Components are instrumental in their success. Come learn more!

The Tribal Key Components form the foundation of all tribal drug courts. The Adult Drug Court Standards represent the latest research-based best practices for what works within the drug court setting. Applicants for Wellness Court federal funding are now being asked to abide by both documents. This webinar overviews both the key components and the Standards, and discuss how they inter-relate. This webinar is designed for those less familiar with the Wellness Court model and those seeking to use these documents to apply for federal funding and/or integrate into their own Wellness Court.

Moderators:

· Gina Jackson (Te-Moak Western Shoshone), Program Director, National American Court Judges Association

· Hon. Carrie Garrow (Akwesasne Mohawk), Chief Judge, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court

Faculty Presenter:

· Lauren van Schilfgaarde, Tribal Law Specialist (Cochiti Pueblo), Tribal Law and Policy Institute

^{Click to Register}

This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-AC-BX-K004 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this webinar are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Peace Circles Models A Virtual Circle on Peacemaking April 24, 2017

(Past member) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 18:52:24 GMT

Free Webinar Session on: Monday, April 24, 2017 at

12 pm PT / 1 pm MT / 2 pm CT / 3 pm ET

(90 minutes)

Tired of looking to the outside for answers? It’s time to turn around and look within your own communities for strength.

Peacemaking is not alternative dispute resolution to Native communities- it is the original, traditional way our communities managed to work through disputes for centuries before tribal courts were created. Because of natural limitations inherent in tribal courts, there is increasing interest in the continuation and revitalization of those traditional ways.

This webinar will explain how tribal traditions may hold a solution to some problems that have proven especially difficult in tribal court, provide some examples of how other tribes have had success, and explain how this movement is part of a bigger picture, even internationally, of how indigenous communities are using their own wisdom to solve their problems.

Moderator:

Gina Jackson (Te-Moak Western Shoshone), Program Director, National American Court Judges Association

Faculty Presenters:

Hon. Cheryl Demmert Fairbanks (Tlingit/Tsimshian), Justice, Inter-Tribal Court of Appeals of Nevada
Hon. Robert Yazzie (Navajo), Chief Justice, Emeritus, Navajo Nation Supreme Court
Brett Lee Shelton (Oglala Sioux Tribe), Staff Attorney, Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative, Native American Rights Fund, Tribal Appeals Court Justice
Professor Shawn Watts (Cherokee), Columbia Law School, Edson Queiroz Foundation Mediation Program

Link to Registration: https://ta2ta.org/webinars/registration/peacemaking-webinar.html

Closed captioning will be provided. If you have further questions regarding this webinar, please contact Alicia Lord at alord@ncjfcj.org.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2016-AC-BX-K004 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this webinar are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

RFPs for NAICJA Annual Conference - Due May 1, 2017

(Past member) — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 21:11:03 GMT

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) invites presentation proposals for the 48th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference which will be held October 10-13, 2017, at the beautiful Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM. NAICJA’s Annual Conference offers innovative and timely tribal justice information through high quality presentations by national experts.

The theme of this year’s conference is, “Tribal Justice: Building and Strengthening Relationships and Partnerships.” NAICJA is featuring topics that highlight ways in which American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations justice systems are building and strengthening relationships between tribes, states, federal agencies, and organizations including the philanthropic sector. We are especially interested in presentations that focus on collaboration and partnerships, tribal sovereignty, international frameworks for understanding indigenous principles and topics, promising Indian child welfare practices, court security, and other areas of interest to court clerks and court personnel.

Full details available here: NAICJA 2017 Presentation RFP Final.

This is your opportunity to share your expertise and display your creativity by developing an original program for presentation. Proposals specifically tailored to meet the needs of the 300-person NAICJA audience are strongly preferred. Proposals are due on or before Monday, May 1, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. (MST).

Save the Date - 2017 NAICJA Conference

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 06:11:05 GMT

The 2017 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference will take place at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM on October 10-13, 2017!

Return for more details!

NAICJA Conference Scholarships

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:30:47 GMT

Scholarships for Tribal Judges to Attend the 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

Through the generosity of Casey Family Programs' Indian Child Welfare Programs, NAICJA is making available a limited number of scholarships to assist tribal judges to attend the 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Clerks Conference. The need-based scholarships consist of assistance with the Conference Fees (not to exceed $450.) Only judges or peacemakers hearing Indian child welfare matters are eligible for funding. Scholarship recipients must attend all Indian child welfare-related training sessions and the pre-conference Indian Child Welfare Act Roundtable.

Interested applicants should act fast. Scholarships are issued on a first come, first serve basis until funding is exhausted.

For more information on the the 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Clerks Conference, please visit our CONFERENCE PAGE.

Eligibility:

Only judges or peacemakers hearing Indian child welfare matters (or child abuse and neglect/dependency cases) are eligible for funding.

How to Apply:

Please submit your completed scholarship FORM online.

RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION FUND RAISING EVENT

Sat, 30 Jul 2016 21:04:23 GMT

NAICJA will be holding a raffle and silent auction as a fundraising event during the 47th Annual Conference at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California. The conference will take place October 18-21, 2016. We expect approximately 300 participants, and all the funds raised from this event will be used to support NAICJA and future conferences.

We are in the process of collecting merchandise for the silent auction. Please consider supp0rting our event by donating gift certificates, merchandise or services. In exchange, you will receive some excellent exposure and advertising. The merchandise will be displayed throughout the conference. After the event, should you desire, a thank you will be listed on the NAICJA Website and Facebook. If you are an individual member or your company cannot donate an item please consider calling a few places in your surrounding community to see if they would be willing to donate an item to our silent auction.

If you have any questions, Judge Susan Wells at susiewells@gmail.com or at 907-252-2903. Additionally, if you do have a donation, please send Susan a description in advance to her email address so that we can begin to set up our auction item advertising and signage.

THANK YOU in advance for considering a contribution to this fun event and for your continued support of NAICJA.

2016 NAICJA Award Nominations Now Open

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 23:53:17 GMT

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) Board of Directors is soliciting nominations for four (4) NAICJA awards: the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Judicial Excellence Award, the Court Support Excellence Award and the Outstanding Service Award. Please use the 2016 NAICJA Award Nomination form that you can get by contacting Kevin Briscoe at kbriscoe@choctaw.org. If a nomination was submitted in prior years and the nominator wishes for that prior nomination to be considered (and the person nominated continues to meet the award criteria), please contact NAICJA 1st Vice-President Kevin Briscoe at kbriscoe@choctaw.org or at (601) 650-1658.

Nominations close: August 19, 2016.

The awards will be announced and presented during the 47th National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference, October 19-21, 2016 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, the crown jewel of beautiful Cabazon, California.

Established in 1969, NAICJA is non-proﬁt 501(c)(3) membership organization of present and former tribal court judges, court personnel and other tribal justice system supporters from approximately 300 tribal courts throughout the United States. NAICJA provides support, continuing education and technical assistance to tribal justice systems and seeks to further public knowledge and understanding of tribal courts.

NAICJA Joins Forces with the National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 15:38:03 GMT

Boulder, CO: The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) is pleased to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been memorialized establishing a working relationship between NAICJA and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ). Importantly, the MOU provides for joint membership in the two organizations, allowing NAICJA members access to the resources of both national judicial membership organizations.

Established in 1969, NAICJA is a non-profit corporation and the only membership association of tribal court judges and tribal court personnel in the nation. NAICJA’s current projects and goals are concerned with: advocating on behalf of tribal justice systems; securing necessary funding for tribal justice systems so they may continue to excel; providing education and training to tribal judiciaries; providing networking and mentorship opportunities for tribal judiciaries; and improving cooperation between tribal, state, and federal judiciaries.

The NCJFCJ, established in 1937, is a non-profit corporation with a primary focus on improving juvenile and family court system practice in the handling of cases involving children, families, and victims of domestic violence. As one of the oldest judicial membership organizations in the nation, the NCJFCJ is unique as a leader in providing continuing education, technical assistance, research, and policy development in the field of juvenile and family justice. Among the myriad current NCJFCJ initiatives, several align closely with NAICJA’s projects and goals and hold promise for potential application and implementation in Indian Country, including: a national network of more than 100 juvenile and family courts that develop and test promising practice; the Juvenile Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Project; the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody; and the Family Court Enhancement Project.

Beginning on June 1, 2016, new or renewing members of the NAICJA interested in joint membership will pay a $215 fee directly to NAICJA (existing NAICJA members should contact NAICJA directly for details on upgrading to a joint membership).

NAICJA is excited to join forces with the NCJFCJ as the two organizations work to strengthen the functions and collaborative opportunities of state and tribal court systems, especially as they pertain to juvenile and family courts. NAICJA encourages its members to take advantage of the joint membership opportunity and the incredible resources available from the NCJFCJ.

Contact Information:

Justice Richard Blake

President, Board of Directors

National American Indian Court Judges Association

Email: president@naicja.org

Phone: (303) 449-4112

RFP: 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:07:16 GMT

Request for Presentation Proposals: 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

“Tribal Justice Matters: Role of Tribal Courts in Upholding Indigenous Rights”

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) invites presentation proposals for the 47th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference which will be held October 18-21, 2016, at the magnificent Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA. NAICJA’s Annual Conference offers innovative and timely tribal justice information through high quality presentations by national experts. The theme of this year’s conference is, “Tribal Justice Matters: Role of Tribal Courts in Upholding Indigenous Rights.” NAICJA is featuring topics that highlight ways in which American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations justice systems are exercising and upholding tribal inherent rights. We are especially interested in presentations that focus on social justice and human rights, tribal sovereignty, international frameworks for understanding indigenous issues, promising Indian child welfare practices, court security and topics of interest to court clerks and court personnel.

Proposals are due on or before Friday, April 15, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. (MTN).

Download the RFP Application

Northwest Regional Peacemaking Training

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 19:09:06 GMT

Peacemaking is a traditional, community-based method that allows people to resolve disputes. The National American Indian Court Judges Association, the Native American Rights Fund, and Columbia Law School offer this training that reviews foundational principles of peacemaking, peace circles, and traditional dispute resolution. While justice practitioners have been focusing on how indigenous peacemaking can help state and federal courts, this training brings the focus back to indigenous and tribal principles of peacemaking and how tribes are using and can use these methods in their own communities. One full day will be devoted to experiential training with peacemakers and notable faculty from across Indian Country.

The Northeast Regional Peacemaking Training will take place at the beautiful Sheraton at the Falls in Niagara Falls, NY. NAICJA members receive a 10% discount!

For more information and to register, click here: Northeast Regional Peacemaking Training

Save the Date for the 2016 NAICJA National Tribal Judicial & Court Personnel Conference

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:22:04 GMT

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click on this link
https://www.regonline.com/naicja to read about more details and to register for the conference.

The 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference will take place at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California on October 18-21, 2016!

The conference theme is Tribal Justice Matters: Role of Tribal Courts in Upholding Indigenous Rights. The conference is open to the public with a fee discount available for all current NAICJA members.

Last year's conference drew over 200 representatives from tribal justice systems and tribal governments in all ten NAICJA association regions as well as representatives from the non-profit, business, academic, and philanthropic sectors.

Join our mailing list to keep informed on the latest conference news.

Renew Your 2016 NAICJA Membership Now!

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 20:41:03 GMT

2015 NAICJA Memberships expire on 12/31/15 but you can renew now!

Don’t miss out on great member benefits:

Discounted Conference Registration.
Access to a vast network of tribal court judges and other justice system personnel.
A free subscription to NAICJA’s newsletter.
Inclusion in our listserv that provides notice of tribal court funding opportunities, position openings, training events, legislative initiatives, and recent judicial decisions of relevance to tribal courts.

You may renew online at: www.naicja.org/membership.

Notice Of 2015 Naicja Annual Meeting

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 20:21:38 GMT

In accordance with NAICJA Bylaws, Article V, Sec. 3, you are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of the National American Indian Court Judges Association ("NAICJA") will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room C & D at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, 310 4th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303. The Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with NAICJA's 46th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference, "Tribal Justice Systems: Pathways to Healing & Sovereignty," which are being held from October 6-9, 2015. The NAICJA Conference will kick off on October 6 at 6:00 pm with a Welcome Reception at the same location. Please remember to pay your annual dues for 2015 and to register (and submit conference fee) for the conference if you plan to attend.

Annual Meeting Agenda

9:00 a.m.

Call to Order: Hon. Richard Blake, President, NAICJA Board of Directors

Roll Call: Hon. Amanda White Eagle, NAICJA Secretary

In Memoriam: Remembrances of NAICJA Members
Presented by: Hon. Kevin Briscoe, Vice-President NAICJA Board of Directors

"The State of NAICJA": Hon. Richard Blake, President, NAICJA Board of Directors

Treasurer's Report: Hon. Winona Tanner, NAICJA Treasurer

10:00 a.m.

Break

Regional Elections

Certification of Regional Election Results
Hon. Amanda White Eagle, NAICJA Secretary and
Hon. Kevin Briscoe, Vice-President NAICJA Board of Directors

Election of NAICJA officers and Executive Committee At-Large Member (By Board of Directors):
Hon. Susan Wells, NAICJA Board Member, Region 9

11:00 a.m.

Adjourn: Hon. Richard Blake, President, NAICJA Board of Directors

NAICJA Seeks Presentation Proposals for the 46th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

Tue, 05 May 2015 12:33:42 GMT

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) invites presentation proposals for the 46^th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference which will be held on October 6-9, 2015 at Seneca Niagara Resort Casino in stunning Niagara Falls, NY. NAICJA’s Annual Conference offers innovative and timely tribal justice information through high quality presentations by national experts. The theme of this year’s conference is, “Tribal Justice Systems: Pathways to Healing &Sovereignty.” NAICJA is featuring topics that highlight ways in which American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations justice systems are exercising tribal inherent sovereignty and envisioning their tribal justice systems to better effectuate healing and wholeness. We are especially interested in presentations that focus on promising Indian child welfare practices. We expected a conference attendance of approximately 300 persons from across the U.S.

This is your opportunity to share your expertise and display your creativity by developing an original program for presentation. Proposals specifically tailored to meet the needs of the NAICJA audience are strongly preferred. Proposals are due on or before

Important Dates:
March 25, 2015–proposals due
April 3, 2015—all applicants will be notified about the status of their proposals.

Tribal Court Access to Protection Order Registries Could Have Prevented Gun Tragedy

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:25:11 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2015

TRIBAL COURT ACCESS TO PROTECTION ORDER REGISTRIES COULD HAVE PREVENTED GUN TRAGEDY

Boulder, Colorado, April 6, 2015– Tribal Courts Call for Immediate Direct Access to Federal and State Protection Order Registries.

As Raymond Lee Fryberg, the father of 15-year-old Jaylen Fryberg awaits arraignment on federal charges relating to his son’s use of a gun Fryberg purchased illegally, tribal courts across the country are calling for immediate access to state and federal protection order registries to prevent further tragedy. Jaylen Fryberg killed four students and himself and injured one other student on October 24, 2014 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington.

Fryberg was prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of a permanent protection order issued by the Tulalip Tribal Court in 2002. The Tulalip Tribes are an American Indian nation that neighbors Marysville, the small Washington town where the shooting tragedy occurred. A federal investigation revealed that Fryberg lied on forms when he purchased the gun stating that he was not subject to a protection order. The instant background check of state and national protection order registries did not reveal the existence of the Tulalip order. Currently, there is no national tribal registry for protection orders. Additionally, many, if not most, tribal protection orders are not entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Protection Order File (POF), a federal registry for protection orders. The Tulalip Tribes are a sovereign Indian nation and the Tribal Court exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction pursuant to the Tribes’ powers of self-government. It is because of this separate sovereignty that state protection order registries are closed to tribal courts. This results in the failure of state-wide registration of tribal court protection orders, including the 2002 order issued against Fryberg by the Tulalip Tribal Court.

In the State of Washington, the Washington State Police controls access to the protection order registry. In 2004, pursuant to a state audit, tribal police departments were restricted from accessing the system because the language of state law does not include tribes as approved agencies. Following the decision to bar tribes from entering tribal protection orders in the state database, some tribes in Washington developed a protocol with local county superior courts by which the county court clerk enters the tribal orders into the state system. This system is not flawless and can result in misses and delays in the registration of tribal protection orders. Elsewhere in the country, some tribes have entered into memoranda of understanding or other cooperative agreements with neighboring state jurisdictions so that the tribal protection orders are entered into the state and federal registries.

“This problem is not a local problem or unique to the Tulalip Tribes. The issue of lack of entry of tribal protection orders in state and federal databases is a national crisis,” said Judge Richard Blake, President of the Board of Directors of the National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA). Tribal courts and tribal court judges have been working for decades to gain direct access to state and federal protection order registries in order to enter their orders. “We had hoped that with the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 which mandated the federal government to provide access to federal databases that this critical gap in public safety would be closed. But here we are five years later and the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are still in violation of the statutory requirement that tribes be given direct access to the NCIC system. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families of the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting at this very difficult time. Our sincere hope is that immediate direct access is granted to tribal courts to enter protection orders to prevent further harm and loss of life,” said Blake.

NAICJA, established in 1969 and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides a national voice for the more than 332 American Indian and Alaska Native tribal justice systems in the United States and supports those systems by providing resource materials, information, technical assistance, and training.

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Judge Richard Blake, President, NAICJA Board of Directors at (530) 515-6245 or email at:

Judge Richard Blake, President
NAICJA Board of Directors
Telephone: (530) 515-6245
Email: president@naicja.org
Website: www.naicja.org

NAICJA News

Join our team! NAICJA is seeking a Program Attorney

Introduction to Peacemaking Training

American Indian Justice Conference

December 7-8, 2017Renaissance Palm Springsagua caliente reservation, CA

UPDATE: This conference has received final approval by the Department of Justice.

Register Now for a Tribal Court Tour of Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court (In association with the 2017 NAICJA National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference)

Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Location:

Who Should Attend: NAICJA Members

Cost: Free

New Free Webinar - Register Now! Opioid Addiction & Treatment in Tribal Communities

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Planning the Healing to Wellness Court: Inspiration and Vision to Get Started

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts: Key Components & Standards

Webinar Recording is Now Posted Online! Peace Circles Models A Virtual Circle on Peacemaking April 24, 2017

RFPs for NAICJA Annual Conference - Due May 1, 2017

Save the Date - 2017 NAICJA Conference

NAICJA Conference Scholarships

RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION FUND RAISING EVENT

2016 NAICJA Award Nominations Now Open

NAICJA Joins Forces with the National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges

RFP: 2016 National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

Download the RFP Application

Northwest Regional Peacemaking Training

Save the Date for the 2016 NAICJA National Tribal Judicial & Court Personnel Conference

Renew Your 2016 NAICJA Membership Now!

Notice Of 2015 Naicja Annual Meeting

NAICJA Seeks Presentation Proposals for the 46th Annual National Tribal Judicial and Court Personnel Conference

Tribal Court Access to Protection Order Registries Could Have Prevented Gun Tragedy

December 7-8, 2017
Renaissance Palm Springs
agua caliente reservation, CA