The united keetoowah band of cherokee indians in oklahoma (UKB) through their established tribal court, proposes to enhance the existing court by hiring staff to model tribal justice system for…

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma will enhance their tribal justice system through a $893,293 project grant from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funding supports the Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Program for Indian Tribes, which aims to strengthen tribal justice capacity through physical infrastructure improvements.

Specifically, the grant will support the expansion of the Tribe's existing tribal court through the hiring of staff, development of a dedicated court space, and community outreach efforts to increase access to justice for UKB members. Funding will also cover the salaries of a court administrator and deputy clerk, expansion of the tribal code, and the creation of court policy manuals. The project grant period spans five years from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2027 with all work taking place in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the headquarters of the United Keetoowah Band.

The united keetoowah band of cherokee indians in oklahoma (UKB) through their established tribal court, proposes to enhance the existing court by hiring staff to model tribal justice system for impacting access to justice for the UKB members. Providing a designated space for the court to operate and accommodate not only tribal members, but also those who work within the justice system. The courts' central role is in buttressing and legitimizing the tribal justice system of the UKB tribe. The court is in tahlequah, oklahoma, the headquarters of the united keetoowah band. A strong and effective tribal court advances the UKB's tribal sovereignty. Funding will support a website, regarding essential court information, access to useful forms, and community outreach to educate the community, ensure that the court administrator and deputy clerk salaries are paid, expand the tribe's code development and create manuals setting forth court policy.