Tribal Courts Assistance Program

This award is made under the FY 2008 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 town of Happy Camp, located in the heart of the Karuk Tribe's ancestral territory of the Shasta Cascade Region on the California-Oregon border, is the community center for the 4,600 Karuk Tribe of California members. The Tribe will use grant funds to ensure its continuity of tribal traditions and culture while maintaining its sovereignty and self-determination by improving tribal court efficiency. The court will use funds to expand its legal, education, and information services to the towns of Yreka and Orleans; upgrade computer hardware and software; and provide advanced judicial training for its staff. The tribal court will implement this grant in collaboration with an advisory board which includes representatives from the Tribe's Offices of Self Governance, Finance, Administrative Program and Compliance, Behavioral Health and Human Services, Information Technology Department, Community Development Corporation, Peoples Center Museum, and Housing Authority. The tribal court will submit comprehensive written progress and fiscal reports as required and keep all parties apprised of their efforts to move forward toward the goal of having a modern, effective, and efficient tribal court system serving tribal members in the towns of Happy Camp, Yreka and Orleans.

CA/NCF