AN OPEN INVITATION TO JOIN
THE NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION

Benefits of NAICJA Membership

Why should a Tribal Judge join the National American Indian Court Judges Association (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 all are 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 U.S. Supreme Court and it’s recent decisions regarding Indian Country. NAICJA is doing something pro-active about it. In the summer of 2001, Indian Country, with a grant developed by NAICJA, took Supreme Court Justices O’Connor 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 view 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 an 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 the 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. In October 2003, the Conference will be in New Orleans. Make your reservations early.

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 you are reading contains news beneficial to Tribal justice systems and is published quarterly. The NAICJA News is an e-mail alert system which communicates news and information to Tribal Judges and Court personnel as it becomes available, sometimes several times a day.

Other benefits for joining:

· NAICJA Membership Card & Certificate
· NAICJA T-Shirt
· NAICJA Email address
· Webspace for your tribal court on the NAICJA server
· FREE Online Training Programs & copy of NAICJA/NTJRC Publications
· Quarterly NTJRC/NAICJA Newsletter
· Members only area on the new NAICJA website (coming soon)
· Participate on NAICJA/NTJRC’s Listserv
· Event Calendar and Message Board.
· Free VersusLaw Legal Research Access
· Free NTJRC Legal Documents, Tribal Case Law Research, Model Codes
· Locate Software Vendors and T.A. Providers on NAICJA/NTJRC’s Website

So, why should a Judge join NAICJA? Because its your organization and its your best way to improve the status of Tribal justice systems throughout Indian Country. Should you join? A better question might be; How can you not be a part of this effort? Our strength lies in our membership. We need you to join us to better serve you and your people. Tribal justice strengthens tribal sovereignty.