38th Annual Meeting and Conference

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.