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Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak made news around Alaska with the establishment of our tribal court. Thanks to a 24-month grant, we are developing a formal tribal court system to deal with our most compelling concern-the safety and well-being of our children. Focused exclusively on children's cases, specifically child protection and delinquency matters, our tribal court will address child protection cases where the state is involved due to allegations of parental neglect or abuse and delinquency cases where the state is involved because of the child's conduct and actions. Our tribal court will not handle general criminal or civil law cases, including divorce and custody disputes between biological parents, regardless of either parent's tribal status.
Tribal Court Advisory Team
With the creation of a tribal court system, the Tribal Council has restructured our ICWA department under our new tribal court administrator. Our tribal court advisory team is helping the administrator design and implement a court structure and system from the ground up.
Tribal Court Judge
Our tribal court judge also is involved in the process of planning and implementing the tribal court. Once the court is operational, the judge will hear cases and render decisions. We have yet to decide whether we will establish a court system that is adversarial or peacemaking in nature.
Foster Families
Tribal members can have a big impact on child protection and well-being by becoming foster families for Alaska Native children. Relatives are the tribe's first choice as placements for Native children, regardless of whether the family has a foster license. However, obtaining a foster care license through the state of Alaska provides monthly financial assistance to offset the cost of taking a child into your home. The tribe is considering establishing a tribal foster care licensing system, rather than channeling all potential caregivers through the state. If you would like to be considered as a potential placement for tribal member children, or other Alaska Native children in Kodiak, please contact out tribal court administrator.
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