Tribal courts conference brings together tribal, state, and federal representatives

Dr. Brad Myrstol and Dr. Cory Lepage, Justice faculty. and Barbara Armstrong, editor of the Alaska Justice Forum, attended the 29th Annual Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference, August 7-9, in Fairbanks.

Over 175 tribal court judges, court clerks, tribal administrators, Native village representatives, as well federal and state agency representatives participated.  The agenda included presentations on tribal court procedures, restorative justice, state/tribal relations, domestic violence, and juvenile cases.

 "Domestic Violence: What Can Tribes Do?" panel members present to the attendees.

 The conference is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Tribal Management Program.

Premiere of documentary at conference
A highlight of the conference was the premiere of  the documentary film, "The Story of Federal Indian Law in Alaska." The film was produced by Lisa Jaeger, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Kevin Illingworth, University of Alaska Fairbanks Interior Aleutian Campus, with funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Tribal Services. Copies of the film will be made available statewide.

L to r: Dr. Cory Lepage and Dr. Brad Myrstol, UAA Justice Center,
and  Prof. Kevin Illingworth, UAF Tribal Management Program.

2012 National Survey of Tribal Court Systems announced at conference
The 2012 National Survey of Tribal Court Systems to be conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) was announced at the conference. Survey materials will be sent in early 2013 to tribal courts. 

Donna Folger, Tanana Tribal Family Youth Specialist (at podium), addresses participants
during the "Circle Sentencing, Restorative Justice" panel.

L to r: Dr. Brad Myrstol, UAA Justice Center, and Lisa Jaeger,
Tanana Chiefs Conference.

 Mishal Gaede, Tanana Chiefs Conference, (at podium) opens the "Alaska Tribal Court" panel.
Immediately to left of the podium is Elder Tribal Court Judge MaryAhkivgak from the
Native Village of Barrow.