Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2006, $175,696)
This award is made under the FY 2006 Tribal Courts Assistance Program and it supports the development, implementation, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal justice systems. Allowable elements under the program may include, but are not limited to: establishing a core structure for a tribal court, improving case management, training court personnel, acquiring additional equipment and/or software, enhancing prosecution and indigent defense, supporting probation diversion and alternative sentencing programs, accessing services, focusing on juvenile services and multi disciplinary protocols for child physical and sexual abuse, and structuring intertribal or tribal appellate systems.
The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will utilize grant funds to continue the development and implementation of a tribal judiciary. In general, the jurisdiction and this project's focus will be limited to the boundaries of the Wampanoag Tribe's trust lands. However, the Wampanoag Tribe envisions creating agreements with county courts, as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that may extend the Wampanoag Judiciary's sphere of influence. Certain aspects of this project may necessitate visiting other tribes with functioning judiciaries, as well as traveling to Boston for meetings and consultations. The first type of case priorities that the Wampanoag Judiciary will address include: Child Protection Cases, Tribal Constitutional Questions / Tribal Government challenges, Juvenile Delinquency/ Juvenile Status Cases, and Housing Cases.
CA/NCF