Enhancing the Operation of Fort Belknap Tribal Court

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 Fort Belknap Indian Community will use FY 08 Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP) Category III Enhancing the Operation of Tribal Courts funds to improve tribal court efficiency. The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located in north central Montana. The reservation is the homeland of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Nations. The goals of the project are to: improve not only tribal court efficiency, but also public confidence; coordinate tribal court operations with other tribal courts, county, and state courts; and, improve tribal court implementation, due process, and accountability. The major objectives of the project are to: update the code book; create a Memorandum of Agreement with other tribal courts, county, state, and federal entities; conduct a needs assessment in each community to gather input from the community; purchase case management software and ensure that staff receive in-depth training; and, hire a Court Clerk Assistant to complete data base entry, improving the accessibility of data.

CA/NCF