FY 07 Tribal Courts Assistance Program

This award is made under the FY 2007 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 Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also know as the Gun Lake Tribe, will use their Fiscal Year 2007 Tribal Courts Assistance Program grant funds to adopt and implement the necessary codes that will create a framework for Tribal Court implementation as well as future code development. This goal is comprised of three objectives: 1) research other tribal court systems; 2) staff training for key stakeholders on Tribal Court Systems and Tribal Code development; and 3) develop a Tribal Court Code and three other priority Codes as deemed necessary. This process will feature community participation and will be guided by a project advisory team comprised of a Tribal Council Member, the Tribal Administrator, a member of the Language/Cultural Department, an Elders Group member, an Environment Department member, a Health Department member, a Planning Department member, and two members from the general membership.

CA/NCF