The Tulalip Tribes FY22 Tribal Justice Systems Program

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington (pronounced Tuh’-lay-lup) is a federally recognized, sovereign Tribal government. The Tulalip Tribes are successors in interest to the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Stillaguamish, Skagit, Suiattle, Swinomish, Skykomish, Duwamish, Samish and other allied bands signatory to the Point Elliott Treaty of January 22, 1855 and by Executive Order of December 23, 1873. The modern Tribal Government was organized under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The Tulalip Constitution and Bylaws were approved on January 24, 1936, and a charter ratified October 3, 1936. As a sovereign nation, Tulalip Tribes’ governing principles, responsibilities and structure mirror that of any other sovereign governments.

    Tulalip Tribes has worked hard to create a robust community informed justice system that is culturally based and built upon a cornerstone of interdepartmental coordination.  However, recidivism remains a pervasive and increasing problem. The high failure rate of probationers as they transition out of jail results in a high level of criminal activity, increased illicit drug use, compromised community safety, and ultimately undermines community confidence in the tribal justice system. At any given time, one in four Tulalip probationers are on warrants status. When these individuals are brought back into the criminal justice system, it is almost always with new law violations.

    The Goal of this year’s FY 2022 Tribal Justice Systems (BJA) will help improve the justice system’s ability to reduce recidivism by reentry program. The mission of the Tulalip Tribes Probation Office is to serve the needs of the Tulalip community with care and compassion; to identify and respond to the individual risks and needs presented by each client; and to engage sound and culturally competent strategies that promote the best interests of the client. By focusing our resources and efforts towards the needs of our probationers, Tulalip Tribes will be able to address the community’s concerns surrounding recidivism.  The Tulalip Probation Department will provide aid to clients to address lack of housing, transportation, and communication disparities. With the addition of a Cultural and Recovery Specialists, Probationers will have increased access to tool to help them reconnect with their culture, change behavior, prevent recidivism, and heal the broader community.