Supporting Tribal Justice Systems

The BJA Tribal Justice CTAS Training and Technical Assistance Solicitation supports BJA’s comprehensive approach to deliver training and technical assistance (TTA) to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The TTA will provide tribal jurisdictions with assistance to: (1) develop strategies to address crimes relating to substance abuse and other controlled substances; and (2) implement and enhance tribal justice systems including tribal law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and pretrial; (3) conduct comprehensive justice system-wide strategic planning and develop written justice system-wide strategic plans; (4) address violent crime in tribal communities; (5) address the tribal justice needs of Alaska Native Villages; and (6) develop and foster intergovernmental collaboration among tribal-federal-state-local governments in order to improve public safety and victims’ services. The main focus of the TTA will be with tribes who receive funding under CTAS Purpose Areas 2 (Strategic Planning), 3 (Tribal Justice Systems), and 10 (Violent Crime) The National Tribal Judicial Center (NTJC) at the National Judicial College, the Tribal Judicial Institute (TJI) at the University of North Dakota, and the Tribal Justice Exchange at the Center for Court Innovation (CCI) will offer training and technical assistance (TTA) for tribes who receive funding under CTAS purpose area 3, focused on tribal courts, prosecution, pretrial, traditional dispute resolution and peacemaking, and implementation of enhanced authorities under TLOA jurisdiction. The products and services for CTAS grantees will be specifically designed to help them reach the goals and objectives of their grants. The partners will offer TTA that assists all tribes working to improve their justice system through webinars, publications, and telling the stories of tribal justice innovation through the Tribal Access to Justice Innovation website. CA/NCF

The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides a comprehensive array of training and technical assistance (TTA) to assist federally recognized Indian tribes' ability to implement and enhance programs to reduce alcohol, substance abuse, and related crimes; and strengthens tribes' ability to implement and enhance tribal justice systems through training and technical assistance to increase their knowledge of emerging technology, evidence-based practices, and new models of service. The TTA offered will increase the knowledge of criminal and tribal justice practitioners through in-person training, web-based learning, distance learning using webinars, teleconferences, and developing or revising training curricula; increase a tribal justice agency's ability to solve problems and/or modify policies or practices; and increase the information provided to BJA and the criminal and tribal justice communities.

The National Judicial College and its partners will continue the Enhancing Tribal Courts and Tribal Justice Systems TTA project to provide individualized TTA to FY 2020 CTAS PA 3 grantees focused on implementing and enhancing tribal courts and tribal justice systems. The focus of the TTA will be on tribal courts, prosecution, pretrial, traditional dispute resolution and peacemaking, and implementation of enhanced authorities under TLOA jurisdiction.

NCA/NCF

The BJA Tribal Justice CTAS Training and Technical Assistance Solicitation supports BJA’s comprehensive approach to deliver training and technical assistance (TTA) to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The TTA will provide tribal jurisdictions with assistance to: (1) develop strategies to address crimes relating to substance abuse and other controlled substances; and (2) implement and enhance tribal justice systems including tribal law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and pretrial; (3) conduct comprehensive justice system-wide strategic planning and develop written justice system-wide strategic plans; (4) address violent crime in tribal communities; (5) address the tribal justice needs of Alaska Native Villages; and (6) develop and foster intergovernmental collaboration among tribal-federal-state-local governments in order to improve public safety and victims’ services. The main focus of the TTA will be with tribes who receive funding under CTAS Purpose Areas 2 (Strategic Planning), 3 (Tribal Justice Systems), and 10 (Violent Crime)

The National Tribal Judicial Center (NTJC) at the National Judicial College, the Tribal Judicial Institute (TJI) at the University of North Dakota, and the Tribal Justice Exchange at the Center for Court Innovation (CCI) will offer training and technical assistance (TTA) for tribes who receive funding under CTAS purpose area 3, focused on tribal courts, prosecution, pretrial, traditional dispute resolution and peacemaking, and implementation of enhanced authorities under TLOA jurisdiction. The products and services for CTAS grantees will be specifically designed to help them reach the goals and objectives of their grants. The partners will offer TTA that assists all tribes working to improve their justice system through webinars, publications, and telling the stories of tribal justice innovation through the Tribal Access to Justice Innovation website.
CA/NCF

This proposal is submitted under the FY21 BJA Tribal Justice CTAS Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program. The grant proposal is for $1,000,000 and will extend the FY19 CTAS TTA grant period to end September 30, 2024.

Tribal justice systems are diverse and unique. Of the 574 federally-recognized Indian tribes and Alaskan native villages, about 270 have some form of justice system. The majority of Indian tribes currently operate their courts with limited funding from the Department of Interior augmented with DOJ grant funds. Many tribal courts are the only courts available for tribal citizens and others to obtain civil judgments, domestic violence protection and other legal orders necessary to maintain civil order.  Some tribal courts also assert criminal jurisdiction over members, non-member Indians and even non-Indians in both misdemeanor and felony prosecutions.

Tribal justice systems often struggle to provide their communities with their own unique concept of tribal justice.  This proposal is submitted by an experienced team comprised of three entities: The National Tribal Judicial Center (NTJC) of The National Judicial College, the Tribal Judicial Institute (TJI) at the University of North Dakota, and the Tribal Justice Exchange at the Center for Court Innovation (CCI). We propose to continue to provide TTA for CTAS grantee and non-grantee tribes. With more than 50 years of combined experience working in Indian country, the three partners all have proven ability to provide culturally competent, interactive TTA, customized responses to assessed needs, educational resources based on adult learning theory, and to use technology to ensure the greatest reach of information.

The focus will be on tribal courts, prosecution, pretrial, traditional dispute resolution and peacemaking, and implementation of enhanced authorities under TLOA jurisdiction. Our products and services for CTAS grantees will be specifically designed to help them reach the goals and objectives of their grants. We can offer culturally competent TTA to assists all tribes working to improve their justice system through webinars, publications, and resources available on the Tribal Access to Justice Innovation website. We propose to offer webinars and other distance learning opportunities over the project period.  We will attend and participate in allied conferences throughout Indian Country. Throughout our work, we will be guided by the principles of listening, valuing the experience of tribal communities, collaborating with all organizations working in Indian Country, delivering high-quality, user-friendly TTA, and telling the stories of innovation in tribal justice.