Sun'aq Tribal Court Enhancement 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.

The Sun'aq Tribal Court will use fiscal year 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Category III Enhancing the Operation of Tribal Courts funds to promote healthy families and safe children by providing a culturally appropriate justice system that uses a traditional model of youth discipline and traditional support system for tribal families. The tribal court project goals are as follows: 1) build capacity to sustain the tribal court; 2) prevent delinquency by improving the successes of Native students in school; 3) establish Sun'aq tribal court as a youth services provider in Kodiak; and 4) and coordinate services with other tribal and community based resources. The tribal court will focus exclusively on juvenile delinquency cases with an emphasis on early intervention for at-risk tribal youth, as identified through the school district and tribal families. The tribal court will only accept cases of juveniles that have not yet entered the state juvenile justice systems. Sun'aq Tribal Court will be known as a youth services provider in Kodiak by basing their services on restorative justice principles, rather than on a punitive model. The tribal court will develop policies, rules, and procedures; finalize tribal court code and standard forms; develop the tribal court docket; and conduct juvenile hearings. The tribal court will also offer tutoring, mentoring, and individual work plans for those students identified as at-risk.

CA/NCF