Thursday, August 18, 2011

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

Justice Center Director Dr. André Rosay, faculty member Dr. Cory Lepage, and Alaska Justice Forum editor Barbara Armstrong attended the 27th Annual Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference in Fairbanks, August 9-11, 2011. Over 90 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, and  state/tribal relations.

This event is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Indian Affairs through Tanana Chiefs Conference, the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Interior Aleutians Campus, and the University of North Dakota School of Law Tribal Judicial Institute.

Due Process and Essential Practices for Tribal Courts panel (l to r): Tribal Court Chief Judge Ingrid Cumberlidge, Sand Point; Natasha Singh, Tanana Chiefs Conference General Counsel; Natalie Landreth, Native American Rights Fund Staff Attorney; and Kevin Illingworth, UAF Tribal Management Program Director. 

Mock Circle Sentencing participants (l to r): Tribal Program Specialist David Raasch, Fox Valley Technical College, WI; Sue Hollingsworth, former Tribal Court Facilitator, Tanana Chiefs Conference; Jackie Wholecheese, Native leader, Huslia; Kathy Morgan, Nenana tribal member; State of Alaska District Court Magistrate Christopher McLain, Galena; Kevin Illingworth, UAF Tribal Management Program Director; and Mishal Gaede, Tribal Court Facilitator, Tanana Chiefs Conference.  Tribal Government Specialist Lisa Jaeger, Tanana Chiefs Conference (seated in chair off stage to far left) acted as recorder for the group.
Alaska Court System panel (l to r): District Court Magistrate Christopher McLain, Galena; District Court Magistrate Dacho Alexander, Fort Yukon; District Court Magistrate Alicemary Rasley, Fairbanks; Superior Court Judge Randy Olsen, Fairbanks; and Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree, Fairbanks.