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National American Indian Court Judges Association
The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) is a non-profit organization primarily devoted to the support of American Indian and Alaska Native justice systems through education, information sharing and advocacy. The Association adopted Articles of Incorporation in 1969 and received federal non-profit tax status under section 501(c)(3) in 1973. Its membership is primarily judges, justices and peacemakers serving in tribal justice systems. NAICJA is governed by written Association By-Laws. Management and direction of the Association is carried out by an elected Board of Directors. The Association periodically issues Annual Reports.
The mission of the Association, as a national representative membership organization, is to strengthen and enhance tribal justice systems. NAICJA's objectives and purposes include the following:
- To foster the continued development, enrichment and funding of tribal justice systems as a visible exercise of tribal sovereignty and self-government.
- To provide continuing education for tribal judges and tribal justice staff members in order to promote and enhance the operation of the tribal judiciary.
- To further the public knowledge and understanding of tribal justice systems.
- To establish and maintain a forum for the dissemination of information concerning issues impacting tribal justice systems throughout the United States.
- To encourage and assist Tribal officials to support educational programs in an effort to serve the purposes and objectives of the Association.
- To conduct generally any and all research and educational activities for the purposes of promoting the affairs and achieving the purposes and objectives of the Association.
- To secure financial assistance and support for the advancement of said purposes and objectives.
NAICJA's 2007 Conference
Honoring Justice, Respecting Tradition
The National American Indian Court Judge's Association held its 38th Annual Meeting and Tribal Judicial Conference. The conference was held at the Silver Star Hotel and Casino, Pearl River Resort, Choctaw, Mississippi. This conference is the only conference of its kind dedicated to enhancing tribal courts and judges.
This year the conference theme is "Honoring Justice, Respecting Tradition". Many tribal courts have adopted the style and form of mainstream courts but retained their unique tribal law and traditions. We have made tremendous strides in administering to the needs of our tribal citizens but much remains to be done in retaining our traditions of justice. This year's conference continued our traditions.
In conjunction with the Annual Conference, NAICJA hosted sessions for tribal court clerks as well. Tribal court clerks are a vital part of the tribal justice system. It is important for clerks to remain informed of developments in judicial decisions, ethics, and be highly trained and professional. NAICJA welcomed the tribal court clerks to our Annual Conference for the second year in a row. We strongly encouraged our member tribal judges to bring along their court clerks.
The NAICJA conference hosted a vendor exposition to allow NAICJA members the opportunity to learn about the latest in court technology and spend time meeting with vendors to explore possible courtroom solutions. Our Resource Center is sponsoring this part of the conference as it has become very popular with our attendees.
NAICJA chose Mississippi as the conference site for your enjoyment and pleasure. With world-class casinos, live entertainment and international cuisine, championship golf and one of the South's largest water theme park s, Pearl River Resort turns every conference into a family vacation. Many came early and enjoy a weekend exploring the hotel and casino', visiting the spa, playing a round of golf and just relaxing.
Our hosts have also planned an exciting and full evening of entertainment each night that you do not want to miss.
- National American Indian Court Judges Association
- National Tribal Justice Resource Center
- Pearl River Resort - Silver Star Casino
- Choctaw, Mississippi: Visitors Guide
- Previous NAICJA Conferences
- Conference Program
NAICJA 2007/2008 Membership
Why Should a Tribal Judge Join NAICJA?
NAICJA is your organization. No other organization is specifically dedicated to the issues and interests of Tribal Justice Systems and Tribal Court Judges. Items of interest, policy, and law updates and changes, and proposed events having to do with Tribal justice systems are all part of what NAICJA does.
NAICJA develops Indian Policy regarding Tribal Justice systems. Perhaps the most important thing NAICJA does, is be there when a Senator's office or an Administration official has an idea or needs advice about Tribal Justice Systems. Federal law and policy changes for Tribal Courts flow through NAICJA and benefit from NAICJA comment.
NAICJA is an information resource. When a interested individual or member of the general public calls, faxes, or e-mails with questions about Tribal Courts, they call NAICJA. Indian Country is fighting a public relations battle over the perception of Indian matters. We can win this battle, as far as Tribal Courts are concerned, by being there when questions arise.
NAICJA testifies and works with congress every year on funding benefiting Tribal Courts in the annual Federal Budget. The Federal Budget process funds Tribal Courts, the Indian Tribal Justice Act, the Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative, the Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal assistance act of 2000 and other federal laws benefiting Tribal Justice systems. Each year, NAICJA is there to provide funding recommendations and information in the form of testimony to Congressional Budget Committees.
NAICJA works to pass pro-Tribal Court legislation. Three years ago the Indian Tribal Justice Act needed reauthorization. NAICJA was there to step in and do the heavy lifting needed to reauthorize the Act for Indian Country. Other proposed legislation, now or in the future, (including the Sovereignty protection initiative) will benefit from the participation of NAICJA.
NAICJA coordinates the Indian Country Supreme Court Project. Everyone knows there is a problem with the US Supreme Court and it's recent decisions regarding Indian Country. NAICJA is doing something proactive about it. In the summer of 2001, Indian Country, with a grant developed by NAICJA, took Supreme Court Justices O'Conner and Breyer on a tour of Tribal Courts. The justices saw Tribal Courts and Tribal Judicial training in action. More visits are planned in the future with the hope that a first hand veiw of the competency of Tribal Courts will help the Supreme Court with a better view of Tribal Sovereignty.
NAICJA operates programs that benefit Tribal Courts. The National Tribal Justice Resource Center, which provides assistance to thousands of Tribes, Tribal Courts and Tribal Court Judges each year, is a NAICJA program. The NAICJA Violence Against Women's Act Project is completing development of a model domestic violence code which will be made available to all of Indian Country. NAICJA operates grant projects which benefit Tribal Justice Systems.
NAICJA conducts and Annual Conference for benefit of NAICJA membership. What are the pressing issues for Tribal Justice Systems? What sort of training is needed? Who has information that would benefit Tribal Judges? Where can Tribal Judges go and meet with other Tribal Judges on matters important to Tribal Courts? These are questions responded to at the NAICJA Annual Conference. Often from isolated areas, Tribal Judges have their time to compare and update notes and strategies for improving their Tribal Court Systems.
NAICJA conducts seminars. Sometimes, the important issues of the day can't wait for the next Conference. Some information needs to get into the hands and heads of Tribal Judges right away. In such cases, NAICJA offers low cost or no cost Seminars for Tribal Court Personnel. NAICJA recently conducted a seminar on the Sovereignty Protection Initiative which rated 90% positive responses from attendees. An added benefit, NAICJA does not limit seminars to only NAICJA members. Information important to Tribal Justice Systems should not be exclusively doled out.
NAICJA provides information to Judges and Court Personnel throughout the year. The NTJRC newsletter contains news beneficial to Tribal Justice Systems and is published quarterly. The NAICJA News is an e-mail alert systems which communicates news and information to Tribal Judges and Court Personnel as it becomes available.