The Organized Village of Kake Tribal Court Project

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.

This application is processed under FY 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program Category III: Enhancing the Operation of Tribal Courts ~ Tier 1. The Organized Village of Kake (OVK) will partner with the Tribal Government, Kake District Court Magistrate (State of Alaska), and the Tribal Health Consortium. In addition to these three core partners, the Court will be working with the Kake Police Department, Kake City School District, State Juvenile and Adult Probation Services, OVK Social Services, and local church elders. An Advisory Team will consist of Kake Healing Heart Council, a local voluntary group representing all entities in Kake, as well as community members who have a stake in the health and well-being of Kake. The main goals of this project are: 1) refine codes/ordinances to bring them into compliance with the 1947 Tribal Constitution; 2) finalize inter-governmental and inter-agency agreements to strengthen the Court's effectiveness; and 3) develop a core structure for the Court, including enhanced case management and information sharing systems for sharing access across Tribal, State, and Federal jurisdictions. OVK will also purchase a computer system that will handle the database and associated programs of the Tribal Court.

CA/NCF