In January 2016, Tlingit & Haida’s Court Judges and Judiciary Committee launched a series of roundtable sessions throughout Southeast Alaska to increase awareness of Bureau of Indian Affairs funding opportunities that tribes can acquire to develop new tribal courts or enhance existing ones. Later on, they started providing educational trainings to the communities of Tlingit & Haida. The Court Development & Training Specialist works with an advisory team comprised of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indigenous justice experts who serve as advisors and guides to the project. Team members consult with and work closely with individual tribes to develop and deliver onsite trainings, curricula materials and provide follow-up assistance with code development customized to fit the varying needs of each community.

The Court Development and Training initiative provides technical assistance, training, and capacity-building services by distance or onsite to Southeast Alaska tribes interested in establishing single/intertribal/appellate courts and codes. Specific assistance includes, but is not limited to, accessing funding for court development and operation; drafting court codes and rules; delivering training for judicial and court personnel and community; justice system planning and strategy implementation and performing court assessments.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a tribe in Southeast Alaska.

Application Process:

Court Development & Training services are initiated by filing a technical assistance form with the program specialist. The program specialist will reply withing 48 hours.

Communities Served:

All Southeast Alaska communities.