United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Justice Systems (BJA)

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB) through their established Tribal Court, proposes to enhance the existing court by hiring staff to model tribal justice system for impacting access to justice for the UKB members.  Providing a designated space for the Court to operate and accommodate not only tribal members, but also those who work within the justice system.  The Courts’ central role is in buttressing and legitimizing the tribal justice system of the UKB tribe.  The Court is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the headquarters of the United Keetoowah Band.  A strong and effective tribal court advances the UKB’s tribal sovereignty.  Funding will support a website, regarding essential court information, access to useful forms, and community outreach to educate the community, ensure that the Court Administrator and Deputy Clerk salaries are paid, expand the Tribe’s Code development and create manuals setting forth Court policy.