Mary Ferguson
Sdi.shaa
Tribal Court
Resolving Community Problems in Keeping With Our Culture
Alaska Tribes retain the inherent sovereignty to resolve disputes and administer justice as they have since time immemorial. The Tlingit people have a complex network of traditional laws and peacemaking practices that were traditionally reinforced through clan leadership, ceremony, and deep relationships.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska began developing its current Tribal Court system in the 1980s. The Tribal Council approved a Code Governing Tribal Court Rules and Civil Procedure for a Tribal trial court in 1983, and an Appellate Code establishing the Tribal Council as the appellate court in 1987. A Children’s Code was enacted in 2002 and revised in 2020.
The Tribe currently exercises civil (i.e., non-criminal) jurisdiction primarily in four areas: child protection; family safety/domestic violence protection; civil diversion/restorative justice; and internal Tribal governance. The Sitka Tribal Court also offers Mediation and Peacemaking services.
A Court Built Around Our Values
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska of Alaska Tribal Court has jurisdiction in family law issues that involve Tribal citizens, primarily including child protection, guardianship and adoption, and domestic violence. It provides an alternative to the state court system and is structured to be user-friendly and oriented to solving problems. Typically participants are not represented by an attorney. The Tribal Court aims to achieve culturally appropriate, trauma-informed remedies for individuals and families.
Tribal Court also provides a venue for resolving problems in Tribal governance, including but not limited to issues around elections, Tribal housing, and contracts.
Tribal judges hear cases and make decisions in accordance with STA Tribal law. Tribal Court decisions are recognized and enforced by other jurisdictions, including the State of Alaska.
Contact Tribal Court
Please email us, or call the Tribal Court Administrator directly at (907) 966-9627.
Tribal Court Forms
Healing to Wellness Court
A restorative justice approach to substance abuse-related offenses
Substance abuse is a primary path into the criminal justice system. Often, individuals misuse drugs and alcohol to address untreated trauma and other mental health issues. The criminal justice system is poorly equipped to resolve the issues that result in substance abuse. All too often, drinking and drug use contribute to repeated or long-term incarceration that devastates individuals and families.
Haa Toowóo Latseen – the Sitka Healing to Wellness Court – was created as an alternative to the criminal justice system for eligible individuals convicted of misdemeanors, and limited felonies* where alcohol or substance abuse is a factor. HTWC is a partnership between Sheet’ká Ḵwáan Tribe/Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the Alaska Court System, and the Alaska Department of Law, with funding from the US Department of Justice.
The mission of Haa Toowóo Latseen is to provide alternative solutions to substance use and reduce crime among community members through strong community partnerships that use treatment and culturally relevant approaches to empower participants to achieve sobriety, employment, and life-long recovery, creating an overall safer and healthier community, wherein individuals and families can thrive and take their rightful place in society.
Participation in HTWC is open to eligible Tribal citizens and other members of the community with approval from project partners. The program offers substance abuse treatment and culturally-informed programming to help participants recognize and change unhealthy and unproductive behaviors, make amends for past conduct, and pursue wellness and productivity.
For more information about Healing to Wellness Court, including eligibility, please email us or contact the Healing to Wellness Court Coordinator at (907) 966-7178.
*Offenders convicted of B or C felonies that do not fall under Alaska Statute 11.41, offenses against a person or involving the distribution, manufacturer or delivery of a controlled substance, may also be eligible for participation at the option of the project partners.
Our Judges
Chosen for compassion, trained in Tribal law
The STA Trial Court and Healing to Wellness Court are administered by a chief judge, with associate judges as needed. All judges are appointed by the SKT/STA Tribal Council.
David Voluck
Aan S’aati
Judge
Pam Steffes
Waakisteen