NAICJA 2003 Annual Meeting and Conference

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National American Indian Court Judges Association
Announces it’s 34th Annual Conference in New Orleans

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) held its 34th Annual Conference in New Orleans on October 6-8, 2003. The conference was held at the Chateau Sonesta*, in the heart of the French Quarter. The Chateau Sonesta, recently renovated, has old New Orleans style rooms, architecture and amenities.

“We were very excited about going to New Orleans,” said Eugene White-Fish, NAICJA President and Chief Judge of the Forrest County Potawatomi. “There was a lot to do both inside and outside the Conference walls. It wasn’t exactly ‘Judges gone wild’, but it was an enjoyable experience for everyone.”

The theme of the 2003 conference was, “Enhancing Governance through Tribal Justice Systems.”

“We were very serious about the 2003’s theme,” said White-Fish. “Nationwide, Tribal Court’s were the focus of everyone’s attention and at the forefront of Indian Country’s agenda. Tribes and tribal sovereignty were under attack from non-Indian Federal courts. Some have even claimed we were in a period of ‘Judicial Termination.’ NAICJA felt a strong obligation to address these problems.”

The Conference was aimed at Tribal Judges, Tribal Prosecutors and Attorneys/Lay Council who practice in Tribal Courts, Court Clerks and other Court personnel, and Tribal leaders and legislators.

“We’re all part of the solution to issues effecting Tribal Courts,” said White-Fish. “We might as well begin by working together to realize those solutions.”

Seminars were held addressing a variety of topics, including the Sovereignty Protection Initiative, current case law updates, Tribal Court resources, Computers for Judges, Appellate Courts, Tribal Court Statistical Trends, the Supreme Court Project and Dealing with Judicial Firings. NAICJA held it’s Annual Membership Meeting and luncheon during the Conference.

“We had an ambitious agenda,” said White-Fish. “We looked to the membership to make plans for the coming year and help Indian Country with all the heavy lifting Tribal Courts would be expected to do. We can no longer say, We’re Judges and we can’t get involved. We view it as that we’re already involved in the serious issues facing Tribes and Tribal Courts. The question is, Are we going to do something about that involvement? I guess we’ll see.”

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) is the largest organization representing Tribal Judges and Tribal Courts. NAICJA was incorporated in 1969, making it one of the oldest Indian organizations in existence. NAICJA has member Judges from Tribes throughout the United States. The mission of NAICJA is to strengthen and enhance all Tribal justice systems through improvement and development of Tribal Courts and Tribal Court Judges.