tribal courts – Page 101

Tribal District Judge The Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska has a vacancy in the position of Tribal District Judge. The Tribal District Judge is appointed to a six-year term by the Tribal Council and hears all cases brought in the Nation’s Tribal District Court, including but not limited to Juvenile, Criminal and Civil cases. The Tribal District Judge also provides administrative oversight to the Court and provides supervision to the Court Clerk, Administrator and Probation Officer. The Tribal District Judge conducts hearings at least one day per month, but possibly more depending on case load. Preferred Qualifications include experience as a Tribal Judge or practice of Indian law, familiarity with Federal Indian law and policy, and experience working with a tribal community. Minimum requirements for the position are that the Judge shall: (a) Be either: (1) An enrolled member of the Tribe; or (2) The parent, child or spouse of an enrolled member of the Tribe; or (3) Actually domiciled within the territorial jurisdiction of the Tribe; or (4) An attorney; or (5) A lay advocate who has regularly practiced before the Sac and Fox Tribal Court as a member of the Bar of the Court for a period of five (5) years or more; or (6) An Indian graduate of an American Bar Association approved Law School, or a Paralegal program approved by the Supreme Court. (b) Have demonstrated moral integrity and fairness in his or her business, public and private life. (c) Have never been convicted of a felony or an offense punishable by banishment, whether or not actually imprisoned or banished, and have not been convicted of any offense, except traffic offenses, for a period of two (2) years next preceding his or her appointment. (d) Have regularly abstained from the excessive use of alcohol and any use whatsoever of illegal drugs or psychotoxic chemical solvents. (e) Be not less than twenty-five (25) years of age. (f) Not be a member of the Tribal Council or the holder of any other elective Tribal Office of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, provided, that a candidate who is a member of the Tribal Council, or the holder of some other elective Tribal Office, may be confirmed as a Judge subject to his or her resignation. Tribal District Judge is a Contract/Exempt position. Compensation is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. To apply or nominate a candidate, submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three (3) references to: Gary Bahr gbahr@sacandfoxcasino.com, Tribal Secretary, 305 North Main Street, Reserve, Kansas 66434.

Associate Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court (Two Openings) The Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska has two vacancies for the position of Associate Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court. Associate Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed to staggered terms. Thus, one position is for an initial appointment to a term of four years and the other position is for an initial appointment to a term of six years. The Associate Justices of the Supreme Court hear appeals from the Tribal District Court, prepare appropriate orders, keep appropriate records and perform any of the duties and powers of a Tribal District Judge in appropriate cases. Hearings and arguments are held on an as-needed basis. Preferred Qualifications include experience as a Tribal Judge or practice of Indian law, familiarity with Federal Indian law and policy, and experience working with a tribal community. Minimum requirements for the position are that the an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court shall: (a) Be either: (1) An enrolled member of the Tribe; or (2) The parent, child or spouse of an enrolled member of the Tribe; or (3) Actually domiciled within the territorial jurisdiction of the Tribe; or (4) An attorney; or (5) A lay advocate who has regularly practiced before the Court as a member of the Bar of the Court for a period of seven (7) years; or (6) An Indian graduate of an American Bar Association approved law school, or a paralegal program approved by the Supreme Court; and (b) Have demonstrated moral integrity and fairness in his business, public and private life; and (c) Have never been convicted of a felony or an offense punishable by banishment or involving moral turpitude, whether or not actually imprisoned or banished, and have not been convicted of any offense, except traffic offenses, for a period of five (5) years next preceding his or her appointment.; and (d) Have regularly abstained from the excessive use of alcohol and any use whatsoever of illegal drugs or psychotoxic chemical solvents; and (e) Be not less than thirty (30) years of age; and (f) Not be a member of the Tribal Council or the holder of any other elective Tribal Office of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, provided, that a candidate who is a member of the Tribal Council, or the holder of some other elective Tribal Office, may be confirmed as a Judge subject to his or her resignation.; and (g) If less than fifty (50) years of age, have completed at least sixty (60) semester credit hours at an accredited college or university, or at least four (4) years of previous experience. Associate Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court is a Contract/Exempt position. Compensation is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. To apply or nominate a candidate, submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three (3) references to: Gary Bahr gbahr@sacandfoxcasino.com, Tribal Secretary, 305 North Main Street, Reserve, Kansas 66434.

Chief Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court The Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska seeks applicants for the position of Chief Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court. The position is for an initial appointment to a term of two years. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court hears appeals from the Tribal District Court, prepares appropriate orders, keeps appropriate records, provides administrative oversight and performs any of the duties and powers of a Tribal District Judge in appropriate cases. Hearings and arguments are held on an as-needed basis. Preferred Qualifications include experience as a Tribal Judge or Justice, practice of Indian law, familiarity with Federal Indian law and policy, and experience working with a tribal community. Minimum requirements for the position are that the an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court shall: (a) Be either: (1) An enrolled member of the Tribe; or (2) The parent, child or spouse of an enrolled member of the Tribe; or (3) Actually domiciled within the territorial jurisdiction of the Tribe; or (4) An attorney; or (5) A lay advocate who has regularly practiced before the Court as a member of the Bar of the Court for a period of seven (7) years; or (6) An Indian graduate of an American Bar Association approved law school, or a paralegal program approved by the Supreme Court; and (b) Have demonstrated moral integrity and fairness in his business, public and private life; and (c) Have never been convicted of a felony or an offense punishable by banishment or involving moral turpitude, whether or not actually imprisoned or banished, and have not been convicted of any offense, except traffic offenses, for a period of five (5) years next preceding his or her appointment.; and (d) Have regularly abstained from the excessive use of alcohol and any use whatsoever of illegal drugs or psychotoxic chemical solvents; and (e) Be not less than thirty (30) years of age; and (f) Not be a member of the Tribal Council or the holder of any other elective Tribal Office of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, provided, that a candidate who is a member of the Tribal Council, or the holder of some other elective Tribal Office, may be confirmed as a Judge subject to his or her resignation.; and (g) If less than fifty (50) years of age, have completed at least sixty (60) semester credit hours at an accredited college or university, or at least four (4) years of previous experience. Chief Justice of the Tribal Supreme Court is a Contract/Exempt position. Compensation is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. To apply or nominate a candidate, submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample and three (3) references to: Gary Bahr gbahr@sacandfoxcasino.com, Tribal Secretary, 305 North Main Street, Reserve, Kansas 66434.

The Tribal Court Positions are also held to the Tribal Code Sections, they can be downloaded for review here:
Tribal Code – District Judge
Tribal Code – Supreme Court Justice

These are full time positions with benefits, generally working a 4 day work week Monday through Thursday (unless otherwise noted). Compensation DOE. Open until filled. More information and applications can be obtained at the Sac and Fox Tribal Office, 305 N. Main, Reserve KS (Mon.-Thurs.) or call 785-742-7471, ext. 2500. Provide cover letter, resume and completed employment application addressed to Human Resources Dept. at above address or fax to 785-742-3785.

Tribal News Profile of Tulalip Judge Gary Bass

July 7, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here is “Leaving a legacy: Judge Gary Bass discusses his career
at Tulalip Tribal Court”:

Judge_Bass_SYSJuly22014

An excerpt:

Honorable Judge Gary Bass, a Colville tribal citizen, has been a staple at the Tulalip Tribal Court for over a decade. He has witnessed the growth in staff, programs, and the selection of the court as one of three chosen as a pilot project to exercise special criminal jurisdiction as authorized by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 over non-Indians regarding domestic violence.

Recently Judge Bass received a lifetime achievement award from the Northwest Indian Bar Association in recognition for his long-term work in Indian country. The award recognizes his 49 years of law practice and work with Native communities. See-Yaht-Sub was able to sit down with Judge Bass and discuss his work in Indian country and his retirement from Tulalip Tribal Court at the end of this year.

Judge Voluck Op-Ed on Alaska Native Tribal First Response to Violence

July 7, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Judge David Voluck has published an op-ed “Peace in the home and the tribal first response to violence” in two versions: (1) the Alaska Daily News; and (2) the Alaska Dispatch.

The Author’s Note at the end of the Dispatch version is helpful:

Author’s note: For people interested in learning more about safety and justice in Alaska Native communities, please see Indian Law Order & Order Commission Report to Congress and U.S. President: Roadmap to a Safer Native America; Chapter 2 “The Time for Reforming Justice for Alaska Natives: The Time is Now.” ;U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Committee on American Indian / Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence: Alaska Hearings June 12, 2014. “Joint Statement on Eliminating Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls.” Alaska Natives Commission final report, 1994. Alaska Commission on Rural Governance and Empowerment: Final Report to the Governor (1999).

Grand Traverse Band Chief Judge Job Posting

July 3, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the job description.

Here are the posting dates (they most certainly will be extended).

Complaint Filed re: Control of Navajo Nation Oil & Gas Company — UPDATED

June 30, 2014July 1, 2014Matthew L.M. Fletcher4 Comments

UPDATE — Navajo Nation Judicial Branch press release:

NN Judicial Branch Press Release

And a clean copy of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court decision:

NNSC Opinion

Here are the materials so far in Begay v. Begay (D. Ariz.):

1 Complaint

An excerpt:

This is an action for declaratory and injunctive relief arising out of a Navajo Supreme Court decision that violates due process and vitiates a federally issued and approved corporate charter providing for shareholder governance of a corporation formed under federal law.

1-1 Exhibit

3 Plaintiffs Motion for TRO

3-1 Exhibits [NNSC Opinion in Navajo Nation Oil & Gas Company v. Window Rock District Court begins at page 139]

4 Motion for Order to Show Cause