2024 American Indian Justice Conference

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute has archived the training materials from the 2024 American Indian Justice Conference as part of our Tribal Justice Systems resource library.

Day One – July 30, 2024

  • Plenary 1: Our Sacred Trust: How Tribal-State Collaboration led to Greater Protections for Native American Children (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Veronica Krupnick (Hopi/Jemez), National Child Welfare Youth & Tribal Advocate, and Leadership Analyst, Office of NM House Majority Leader, Representative Gail Chasey
    • Judge Tammi Lambert (Jicarilla Apache), Pueblo of Santa Ana, Co-chair of the New Mexico Tribal State Judicial Consortium
    • Judge William Thorne, Jr. (Pomo/Coast Miwok), Utah Court of Appeals
    • Jacqueline Yalch (Isleta), Social Services Director, Pueblo of Isleta
    • Justice Briana Zamora, New Mexico Supreme Court, Liaison to the New Mexico Tribal State Judicial Consortium
    • Session Description: Join us for an insightful session focused on enhancing tribal-state intergovernmental collaboration. This session will spotlight New Mexico’s landmark achievement: the passage of the Indian Family Protection Act (IFPA), which offers greater protections than its federal counterpart, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).We will begin with powerful testimony from an individual with lived experience, sharing her story to highlight the challenges and issues that previously plagued the adoption system in New Mexico. This personal narrative will set the stage for a deeper understanding of the necessity and impact of the IFPA. Following this, we will discuss the collaborative process undertaken by New Mexico’s Tribal State Judicial Consortium, detailing the innovative and forward-thinking efforts that culminated in the enactment of the IFPA. The panel will provide insights into the strategies, challenges, and successes encountered during this groundbreaking initiative. To conclude, we will present national resources and guidelines available to jurisdictions aiming to enhance their tribal-state intergovernmental collaboration. This comprehensive overview will equip participants with practical tools and knowledge to foster similar advancements in their respective regions.

Workshop 1 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Track: Santa Clara Pueblo: Community Based and Culturally Driven Prevention and Intervention Programs

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Overview of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2022: Successes and Challenges (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Kelly Stoner, Victim Advocacy Legal Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
    • Chia Halpern Beetso, Tribal Courts Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
    • Session Description: As of October 2022, Tribes have begun to exercise additional criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians under the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022).This includes jurisdiction over covered crimes including: assault of Tribal justice personnel; child violence; dating violence; domestic violence; obstruction of justice; sexual violence; sex trafficking; stalking; and a violation of a protection order. Tribes have also utilized the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program. This session will examine the successes and challenges that Tribes have had in the past year and a half. The session will also discuss the assistance, guidance and benefits from the Intertribal Technical Assistance Working Group (ITWG) on VAWA tribal provisions

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: Exploring Law Enforcement Collaborations to Improve Community Safety and Foster Effective Reentry Programs (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Tony Fish (Muscogee Creek Nation) Manager, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program
    • Mark Harjo, Outreach Specialist, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program
    • BJ Jones, Executive Director, Tribal Judicial Institute, University of North Dakota, School of Law
    • Session Description: This session will explore how multi-jurisdictional law enforcement collaborations can benefit tribal communities and help improve overall community safety. This session will also include discussion on the Muscogee reintegration program and the development of effective law enforcement programs and collaborations

 Workshop 2 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Exploring Individual Rights in Criminal Cases Under the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)(PowerPoint PDF)
    • Stephan Pevar, Former Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union, Consultant, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Dan Lewerenz, Associate Professor, University of North Dakota, School of Law, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Session Description: Exploring sentencing implications. This session will include discussion on tribal court enhanced sentencing authority, collateral consequences when classifying tribal court convictions and the need to consider inmate rights and safety through tribal laws and policies relevant to long term sentencing.

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: Motivational Interviewing & Case Planning Using the Good Lives Model (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Anjali Nandi, PhD, MAC, LAC, Associate, National Criminal Justice Training Center
    • Greg Brown, Program Manager, Associate, National Criminal Justice Training Center
    • Session Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a technique focused on meaningful, strategic conversations with someone that reliably facilitates behavior change. The Good Lives Model (GLM) is a strength based rehabilitation theory that builds on the risk/need/responsivity model by helping clients create meaningful life plans. The GLM identifies 11 human needs that if not met in healthy, prosocial ways contribute to criminal conduct. This session will first provide the context of evidence based practices within which to have these conversations and will leave the participants with practical skills to engage in short and effective conversations to initiate, or facilitate, the process of behavior change, even with challenging clients. Integrating the 11 human needs into our case planning can significantly enhance client engagement and improve outcomes for individuals who have caused harm.

Workshop 3 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Track: Addressing Violent Crimes and Substance Misuse in Tribal Communities (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Michelle Rivard Parks, Associate Director, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Session Description: This session will include discussion on violent crimes commonly linked to substance misuse and the trafficking of unlawful substances. The session will also include information relevant to effective law enforcement and community responses to address and reduce violent crimes related to substance misuse and the trafficking of unlawful substances.

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Collaborative Solutions: Strengthening Legal Support for Communities (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Johanna Farmer, Program Attorney, National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA)
    • Stephanie Hudson, Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (OILS)
    • Rodolfo D. Sanchez, Executive Director, DNA People’s Legal Services
    • Session Description: In today’s complex societal landscape, individuals and families often face various legal challenges, ranging from housing and employment issues to family disputes and access to justice barriers. Effective collaboration among legal professionals, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders is essential to ensuring that everyone has access to the legal resources and support they need. In this session, participants will explore strategies for building and sustaining partnerships to meet the diverse legal needs of their communities. This session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for harnessing the power of partnerships to support the legal needs of your community.

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: Innovative and Culturally Based Approaches to Tribal Law Enforcement Intervention and Prevention (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Brian Dubray, Chief of Police, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians Police Department
    • Robert Snyder, Community Services Officer, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians Police Department
    • Session Description: This session will describe the successes of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians Tribal Law Enforcement programs and identify best practices that can be replicated in other communities. This session will also discuss the importance and benefits of culturally based law enforcement interventions.
  • Plenary 2: Promising Strategies for Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts: Peer to Peer Learning through Mentor Courts (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Alyssa Harold, Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
    • Judge Renee Torres, Associate Judge,  Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court
    • Kristina Pacheco, Tribal Healing to Wellness Court Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
    • Session Description: Judge Renee Torres will present on the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court, which has a mission to create an atmosphere of healing through best practices and traditional methods in pursuit of spiritual and physical recovery for Native Americans with two or more DWI convictions. The presentation will be moderated by Tribal Law and Policy Institute Wellness Court Specialist Alyssa Harrold on maintaining the balance of best practices, cultural connectedness, and empowering the participant to succeed through skill building. The Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court has been recognized as a TLPI Mentor Court for its innovative practices, adherence to the 10Key Components and national best practice standards, and team engagement. Attendees at this session will hear a Judge’s perspective on balancing best practice standards in a cultural frame work and how this promotes participant healing.

Day Two – July 31, 2024

  • Plenary 3: RezRIDERS: Innovation by Tradition
    • Rebecca Rae (Jicarilla Apache), Research Lecturer, College of Population Health and Associate Director of Indigenous Research, Evaluation, and Strategic Planning, Center for Participatory Research, University of New Mexico.
    • Session Description: With more than 45% of New Mexico’s American Indian (AI) high school students reporting alcohol use—including binge drinking—substance abuse prevention among AI youth needs urgent attention. Manyexisting mainstream programs come up short by failing to speak to high-risk AI youth on their ownterms. Not so with RezRIDERS (Reducing Risk through Interpersonal Development, Empowerment,Resiliency and Self Determination). Tailored to high-risk AI youth, RezRIDERS fills a gap in substanceabuse prevention by recapturing a key historic tradition and addressing the lived experience within AIculture. Traditionally, youth tested themselves in nature under elders’ mentorship, as elders taughtthem the relevant stories and cultural practices. Youth applied their new knowledge—gained in acontext of extreme physical challenge—toward empowerment and community participation. RezRIDERSpairs rebel extreme-sports (ES) with an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral curriculum, communityresponsibility, and adult cultural mentors; the result is an indigenized year-round—and life changing—program that speaks loud and clear to high-risk AI youth.

 Workshop 4 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Track: Investing in Fatherhood: Supporting Native Fathers Struggling with Addiction
    • Kevin Poleyumptewa, Project Coordinator, National Criminal Justice Training Center
    • Session Description: Enhancing Successful Reentry by Supporting Engaged and Healthy Fatherhood Practices. Reentry from a jail, prison or a residential treatment experience can be challenging for fathers and can often be a critical point in their lives. Growing into a good father can be a powerful motivation, supporting prosocial change. Fathers are a critical necessity for the future of our children and communities. Healthy, engaged fathers are safer in our communities and can significantly impact the successful, healthy development of their children. This session will provide a general overview of fatherhood programs and how they can be an effective means to the engagement of fathers in the change process and the reduction of reoffending, recidivism, and violence in addition to creating healthy families and communities. Additionally, discussion will focus on how addiction is one of the key contributing factors to fatherlessness. Strategies for working with fathers who suffer from addiction will be explored, focusing on how fatherhood programming can provide support in their journey to recovery

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Promising Practices in Peacemaking and Peace Circles: Lessons from Chickasaw Nation Peacekeepers (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Moderators: Catherine Retana, Tribal Law Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute | Grace Carson, Skadden Fellow, Tribal Law and Policy Institute | Chantel Cloud, Tribal Court Collaboration Specialist, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
    • Presenters: Edward Stillwell, Chickasaw Peacemaking Court Coordinator | Tewana Edwards, Chickasaw Nation Peacemaker | Wayne Edgar, Chickasaw Nation Peacemaker | Linda Sue Edgar Chickasaw Nation Peacemaker
    • Session Description: The Chickasaw Nation Peacemaking Court is a forum for resolving conflicts using Chickasaw traditions, customs and culture as the basis for finding peace in the resolution. Peacemaking is a process that requires the parties to agree to peacemaking and to the selection of the peacemakers in order to participate in the peacemaking process and resolve their differences. This session will explore the philosophy, values, concepts, and framework of the Chickasaw Nation Peacemaking Court and their practices; and engage attendees in a discussion about how these practices are being implemented by the Chickasaw Nation. Participants will be able to gain an understanding of the Chickasaw peacemaking process.

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: Incorporating Tradition and Culture into Reentry Programs
    • Mark Dyea, Tribal Grants Manager, American Probation and Parole Association
    • Session Description: This workshop will discuss the importance of incorporating traditional and cultural practices into Tribal Reentry programs and engage the attendees to provide information on the role tradition and culture plays in their reentry programs. This workshop will also provide examples of how programs have successfully incorporated tradition and culture into their reentry programs.

Workshop 5 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Track: The Good Road of Life: A Trauma Informed, Culture and Resilience-Based Alternative to Incarceration and Reentry
    • Clayton Small, PhD, CEO, NativePRIDE
    • Session Description: The Good Road of Life curriculum was developed by Clayton Small, PhD, Native PRIDE and is appropriate for Native youth, men, women, communities and organizations. It is endorsed by federal and state agencies and tribal leaders as an effective prevention and intervention approach for alternatives to incarceration and reentry for men, women and families. It is delivered in a comprehensive 3 day retreat and 1 day training of trainers (4 days) and follow-up cultural activities including talking circles, sweat lodge, naming ceremonies, visiting sacred sites and mentoring (peer counseling). The training addresses multiple risk factors including substance abuse, violence prevention, suicide prevention, grief-loss, forgiveness, spirituality, healthy relationships, family preservation and communication skills. This is an opportunity for tribal courts, law enforcement, schools, mental health, social services and treatment programs to collaborate on a less punitive approach in the healing of their communities

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Planning and Implementing Multiple Venue Tribal Court Systems
    • Marvin Youpee, Associate Judge, Oglala Sioux Tribal Court
    • Joann Jayne, Chief Justice, Navajo Nation Supreme Court
    • BJ Jones, Executive Director, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Session Description: This facilitated discussion will delve into tribal approaches to multiple venue tribal courts, examining their potential components and integration into tribal justice systems. Key considerations for planning and implementing multiple venues, including tribal code provisions and rules, will be highlighted. The session will feature field examples with invited representatives from the Navajo Nation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Through a moderated discussion, these tribal representatives will share their experiences and strategies in planning, implementing, and administering multiple venue courts

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: Arrest Authority of Probation Officers and Rights of Individuals on Probation (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Dan Lewerenz, Associate Professor, University of North Dakota, School of Law, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Stephen L. Pevar, Former Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union, Consultant, Tribal Judicial Institute
    • Session Description: This session will help participants gain an understanding of probation and its role within a tribal criminal justice system. This workshop will also highlight probationers’ rights under the U.S. Constitution and the Indian Civil Rights Act. Finally, the workshop will focus on the arrest authority of tribal probation officers with examples of tribal codes that define such authority

Workshop 6 (Concurrent Sessions)

  • Alcohol and Substance Misuse Track: Understanding the Intergenerational Transmission of Substance Misuse and Breaking the Cycle (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Dr. Julia Gunthner DBH, LPC, Associate, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College
    • Session Description: It is well known that many adults accessing drugs and alcohol have observed substance use and experienced trauma within their own childhood. Unfortunately, support, education, and the stigmas families have towards addiction, fail to support positive changes toward sobriety. These intergenerational beliefs end up perpetuating intergenerational trauma and substance abuse. Current societal acceptance of alcohol consumption and the legalization of marijuana in many states, also provides hurdles to those trying to live sober lives. Although breaking the cycle of substance misuse can feel impossible it is possible to grow healthy familial habits that lead to strong healthy family legacies. This session will traverse current trends in cyclical substance abuse and review a story of hope and success on changing a familial narrative of substance abuse into health and intergenerational success in sobriety

  • Courts and Traditional Justice Track: Tribal Risk-Need Responsivity Tools: Understanding Risk Tools (PowerPoint PDF)
    • Adelle Fontanet, Esq., Director, Tribal Justice Exchange
    • Melanie Fritzche, Esq., Senior Program Manager, Tribal Justice Exchange
    • Session Description: Adapting Risk Needs Assessment tools to address the adjudication of violent crimes in tribal communities. Center for Justice Innovation will present on its tribal specific risk assessment tools and the benefits of incorporating risk needs assessments. We will also discuss how risk needs assessments can improve outcomes from court involved individuals

  • Policing, Probation, and Reentry Track: STOP School Violence: A Critical Discussion for JPO’s
    • Mark Dyea, Tribal Grants Manager, American Probation and Parole Association
    • Rhonda Shaw, Sr Research Associate, Institute for Intergovernmental Research
    • Sterling Strmel, Senior Program Specialist, Institute for Intergovernmental Research
    • Session Description: This forum will convene juvenile probation officers, community supervision professionals, and other professionals that work with school age populations and provide them with an opportunity for an open exchange of information on emerging trends related to school safety. The goal of the forum is to identify challenges, gaps, and needs for training and resources that enhance the knowledge of juvenile probation officers to recognize ,respond to, and prevent acts of violence and ensure a safe climate. Information shared during this forum will be used to support the development of specialized trainings, and practical tools and resources to prevent K-12 school violence.

Plenary 4: Working with Mental Health Issues in Tribal Justice Systems (PowerPoint PDF)
Anjali Nandi, PhD, MAC, LAC, Associate, National Criminal Justice Training Center

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