Resources
The page contains publications, resources, and other materials to support development and enhancement of tribal justice systems.
Alaska Tribal Justice Resource Center
Providing Training and Technical Assistance to Alaska Tribal Justice Systems
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Publications & Articles
NILL and NARF
The National Indian Law Library (NILL)
The National Indian Law Library (NILL) is a law library devoted to American Indian law. It serves both the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the public. NILL serves the public by developing and making accessible a unique and valuable collection of Indian law resources and by providing direct research assistance and delivery of information.
2022 Tribal Court Directory
Prepared by Alaska Legal Services Corporation
For the first time, the 2022 version includes information on all 229 Tribes in Alaska. Information was gathered in collaboration with incredible efforts by Richard Garcia, Kelsey Potdevin, and Jeffrey Egoak at the Alaska Native Justice Center, and Denise Nerby and Andrea Wuya at the Association of Village Council Presidents
Federal Acts
The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (ICRA)
Full text and definitions
The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (ICRA) (see Federal Laws ), 25 U.S.C.§§ 1301-1304 (ICRA), provides as follows: § 1301. Definitions: For purposes of this subchapter, the term ” Indian tribe ” means any tribe, band, or other group of Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and recognized as possessing powers of self-government.
Tribal Law and Order Act
What is the Tribal Law and Order Act?
The Tribal Law and Order Act (P.L. 111-211) (codified in scattered sections of 25 U.S.C, and 18 U.S.C, TLOA) is a comprehensive statute focused on all aspects of investigating and prosecuting crime in Indian country with a primary purpose of reducing crime in Indian country and increasing public safety. The statute attempts to systematically address a wide variety of problems from data collection to housing prisoners.
Congress passed the TLOA in 2010 and it became law on July 29, 2010. Reports such as Amnesty International’s Maze of Injustice: the Failure to Protect Indigenous Women from Sexual Violence in the USA ignited public interest in the high rates of violence in Indian country and motivated systemic changes. Additionally, the TLOA Senate Report of 2009, indicated that police presence was lacking in Indian Country and tribal court’s limited sentencing power both greatly contributed to the proliferation of crime in Indian Country.
ICWA Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978
United States Code Title 25 - Indians Chapter 21 - Indian Child Welfare
Congressional declaration of policy: The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of this Nation to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of such children in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture, and by providing for assistance to Indian
tribes in the operation of child and family service programs.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Tribal Court Clearinghouse
INTRODUCTION: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed in 1994, is a collection of funding programs, initiatives, and actions designed to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to violence against women, including sexual violence, in the United States. This page discusses the extent to which VAWA pertains to American Indians, including specifically tribal courts.
229 Federally Recognized Tribes
Alaska Tribal Listing
In alphabetical order by city name, visit 229 of the Federally recognized tribes in Alaska.
Tribal Court Clearing
Full listing of Federal Laws
This page contains general background information on how federal laws are codified, with highlights and commentaries on specific chapters of the United States Code which contains federal laws effecting Indian Nations.
Multimedia
Training: Tribal Responses to Alcohol Substance Abuse Webinar Recording Library: https://www.ncjtc.org/iasapwebinars
Other TTA:
Victim Assistance to Support Tribes: https://victimsofcrime.org/vast-tta/
Tribal Law and Policy Institute: https://www.home.tlpi.org/
Tribal Youth Resources Center Website: https://tribalyouth.org
Wellness Court: http://www.wellnesscourts.org/
Films
Click on the following titles for more description and viewing access:
Part 1 of 2: Building Better and Stronger Tribal Justice Systems
Sovereignty Considerations - Part 1
National Criminal Justice Training Center
Become more mindful of the need to implement and sustain tribal sovereignty, unique to your nation, into all aspects of your tribal justice system. During the webinar series, you will learn more about tribal sovereignty, how it might be exercised or how it is exercised in your own community, and what to consider as you begin your tribal justice system planning process. You will also learn a process to take steps to identify opportunities for the inclusion of customs, traditions, and values into your tribal justice systems.
Resource Handout – Sovereignty Considerations – Part 1
Part 2 of 2: Building Better and Stronger Tribal Justice Systems
Customs, Traditions and Values as Part of Planning - Part 2
National Criminal Justice Training Center
Become more mindful of the need to implement and sustain tribal sovereignty, unique to your nation, into all aspects of your tribal justice system. During the webinar series, you will learn more about tribal sovereignty, how it might be exercised or how it is exercised in your own community, and what to consider as you begin your tribal justice system planning process. You will also learn a process to take steps to identify opportunities for the inclusion of customs, traditions, and values into your tribal justice systems.
Resource Handout – Custom, Tradition, and Values Webinar Handout – Part 2
Animal Songs
Chief Peter John, Traditional Chief of Interior Alaska
Chief Peter John, Traditional Chief of Interior Alaska, sang and discussed these ancient Animal Songs of the Athabascan people at his log home in the Village of Minto during a snow storm on November 9, 1993. He was 94 years old at the time, singing songs that are maybe 5 or 6 hundred years old. He requested that these teachings of the traditional law be recorded for his people and for all others who might benefit from hearing them. Chief John was an eloquent, spiritual man who lived the traditional Athabascan lifestyle in Alaska’s Interior for 102 years.
Alaska Tribes
The Story of Federal Indian Law in Alaska
Alaska Tribes journeyed on a unique path in the settlement of their aboriginal claims. This 55-minute documentary illustrates the history of that path and the impacts federal laws and policies have had on Alaska Native people.
Tribal Nations
The Story of Federal Indian Law
This 60-minute documentary is a beautifully illustrated introductory history of how federal Indian law has developed in the United States and the impacts federal Policies have had on American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Tribal Courts
Opportunities For Healing
Tribal courts are an invaluable tool for addressing problems affecting Alaska Native people in healing and culturally relevant ways. The film presents the application of restorative justice concepts in relation to tribal youth courts. Both panel and circle style hearings are modeled. The people interviewed in this film are extensively involved with tribal court development throughout Alaska.
Tribal Court Clerks
The Backbone of Tribal Justice Systems!
This 35-minute training film covers tribal court development from the perspective of the tribal court clerk. It has a wealth of practical information for the roles and duties of clerks. Viewer audiences include clerks, judges, tribal staff, and those who interface with tribal justice systems.
Circle Peacemaking
Kake Film on Peace Making
The video — produced by the Organized Village of Kake — depicts the restoration of traditional methods of dispute resolution the Organized Village of Kake adopted Circle Peacemaking as its tribal court in 1999.
Access resources and tips on running a circle.
Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact
Indian Child Welfare
The State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services (DHSS), Office of Children’s Services (OCS) strongly supports the Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) and continues to build federal ICWA mandates into all levels of OCS Child Welfare. We continue to develop positive collaborative and communicative partnerships with all Native organizations and Alaska Native Tribal organizations.
Alaska Tribal Justice Resource Center
Training & Technical Assistance Support
731 East 8th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501
This is a RurAL CAP affiliated program.
Dena’inaq ełnen’aq’ gheshtnu ch’q’u yeshdu: I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina people
This project was supported by Grant No. 2019-IC-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, The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office.
Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.