In early 2000, I was tasked with a few other people to start drafting a Judicial Code for our Tribe with the help of the UCLA Tribal Law Institute. This project took a few years but that University was very instrumental with the help of Pat, Addy and a few others who became friends.
Since time immemorial , the Inupiat people have resolved disputes and conflicts, maintained peace in their communities, and administered justice through the use of customary law, and traditional practices and processes. In order to affirm our sovereign powers of self-government and self-determination, to preserve, protect and build upon our unique and distinctive culture and traditions, we the members of the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government.
The purpose of the Code is to establish a judicial system for the resolution of disputes in order to: Provide for the fair, efficient and culturally appropriate administration of justice whereby conflicts are resolved consistent with tribal traditions and customs; Exercise Jurisdiction over all matters to ensure that the sovereignty of the NVB Tribe is recognized and to protect the welfare of tribal members and; Provide all affected persons with a fair, prompt, and impartial hearing so as to afford all persons who appear before NVB Tribal Court all rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the NVB Tribe.
The Tribal Court of hte NVB Tribe has the inherent jurisdiction of a federally recognized tribal government as may be further specified in its constitution, this chapter, its other laws, and any amendments to the same. The Tribal Court may also exercise any jurisdiction delegated to the Tribe by any state or federal law or agency. The Tribal Court’s inherent jurisdiction includes, but is not limited to the following subjects arising within the Tribe’s territory.
- Disputes between two or more members of, or persons eligible for membership in the tribe.
- disputes arising out of consensual relationship either between a non-member and the tribe or between a non-member and a member of, or person eligible for membership, in the tribe.
- Domestic relations
- Matters involving members whose conduct threatens or has some direct effect on the political integrity, economic security, or health or welfare of the tribe as may now or hereafter be defined by a statute, resolution, or ordinance of the Tribe, and
- Violation of any criminal law of the Tribe by a member, person eligible for membership or other Native American.
There is so much more that our Tribal Members should know….educate yourselves on your laws, your rights on the Codes.