St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Seskehko:wa/September 20, 2006

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 165
Fax: (518) 358-9675

TRIBAL COURTS RECEIVES $250,000 GRANT
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Funds will be used to Expand Tribal Court to include Family Court

Akwesasne – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is pleased to announce that the Tribal Courts has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP). The Tribal Council submitted an application in January 2006 and the resulting funds will be used to expand the current Tribal Court to include a Family Court.

“The TCAP funding will provide us the opportunity to move forward with the implementation of the Family Court component of the Tribal Court,” said Tribal Chief Barbara Lazore , “Once implemented our courts will be capable of hearing family court cases involving Akwesasne residents within our community instead of in outside courts. This has been a long time goal the Tribal Council has committed too.”

The Tribal Court Assistance Program is one of the US Department of Justice’s primary initiatives for providing court-related support to tribal justice systems. This discretionary grant provides federally recognized tribes with resources (funds, technical assistance, training, etc.) to develop, implement, enhance, and continue the operation of tribal judicial systems.

In October of 2005, the community approved a Family Court component of the Tribal Court in a referendum vote. The Family Court Task Force has since been working on the details surrounding the implementation of the family court component. Currently, all social and family related cases involving Mohawks are transferred to St. Lawrence County and Franklin County court systems. A tribal family court will give the Tribe an opportunity to hear its own cases and make decision in the best interest of Mohawk Families. The Tribal Court Assistance Program funds will support the costs associated with this needed expansion.

The Tribal Court will also see development of additional courts to be included in the tribal courts comprehensive system. Courts currently being considered are a civil court, drug court, and small claims court. Each additional court will be brought before the community in a tribal referendum before being implemented.

“The Tribal Courts will be hiring additional staff with the funds provided by TCAP,” said Tribal Court Administrator Rasennes Pembleton, “We are looking forward to implementing a fully functional family court in the coming year.”

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Seskehko:wa/September 20, 2006 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 165 Fax: (518) 358-9675 TRIBAL COURTS RECEIVES $250,000 GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Funds will be used to Expand Tribal Court to include Family Court Akwesasne – The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is pleased to announce that the Tribal Courts has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP). The Tribal Council submitted an application in January 2006 and the resulting funds will be used to expand the current Tribal Court to include a Family Court. “The TCAP funding will provide us the opportunity to move forward with the implementation of the Family Court component of the Tribal Court,” said Tribal Chief Barbara Lazore , “Once implemented our courts will be capable of hearing family court cases involving Akwesasne residents within our community instead of in outside courts. This has been a long time goal the Tribal Council has committed too.” The Tribal Court Assistance Program is one of the US Department of Justice’s primary initiatives for providing court-related support to tribal justice systems. This discretionary grant provides federally recognized tribes with resources (funds, technical assistance, training, etc.) to develop, implement, enhance, and continue the operation of tribal judicial systems. In October of 2005, the community approved a Family Court component of the Tribal Court in a referendum vote. The Family Court Task Force has since been working on the details surrounding the implementation of the family court component. Currently, all social and family related cases involving Mohawks are transferred to St. Lawrence County and Franklin County court systems. A tribal family court will give the Tribe an opportunity to hear its own cases and make decision in the best interest of Mohawk Families. The Tribal Court Assistance Program funds will support the costs associated with this needed expansion. The Tribal Court will also see development of additional courts to be included in the tribal courts comprehensive system. Courts currently being considered are a civil court, drug court, and small claims court. Each additional court will be brought before the community in a tribal referendum before being implemented. “The Tribal Courts will be hiring additional staff with the funds provided by TCAP,” said Tribal Court Administrator Rasennes Pembleton, “We are looking forward to implementing a fully functional family court in the coming year.” -30- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.