Judge in Alaska recognizes tribal court authority

Tuesday, March 11, 2008  

A federal judge in Alaska has ordered the state to recognize tribal court authority over adoptions and child welfare proceedings.

The decision to tribal court authority over tribal members. But n essentially restores the state to a position it held before the administration of former governor Frank Murkowski (R).

Former governor Tony Knowles (D) sought to improve tribal relations and recognized tribal court adoptions. But in October 2004, Murkowki's attorney genera issued a legal opinion that said tribal courts can't be recognized unless they apply through the state.

Get the Story:
Federal judge says tribal courts can supervise child adoptions (The Anchorage Daily News 3/11)
pwlat

Alaska opinion backs away from tribal courts (11/1)
Alaska wants to reduce tribal powers in child welfare (9/9)