University of Alaska Fairbanks

Tribal Management Program

College of Rural and Community Development

Interior – Aleutians Campus

Harper Building P.O. Box 756720 Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-6720

(907) 474-5710 toll-free 866-474-5710 FAX # (907) 474-5561

TM 111 Children’s Topics in Tribal Justice

1 Credit

Course Outline and Syllabus

Instructor:

Kevin M. Illingworth, JD

907-474-5710 907-474-5561(fax) 1-866-474-5710(toll free)

Course Description:

Overview of children’s cases in tribal justice. Preparation for informed participation in the tribal justice system as it affects children and families. Topics such as the Indian Child Welfare Act, child protection, child custody and tribal adoptions will be addressed.

Course Goal:

Students will be able to effectively participate in their tribal justice system as it affects children and families.

Student Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

1)  Demonstrate an understanding of Federal Indian Law as it applies to children’s subjects in Alaska.

2)  Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

3)  Demonstrate an understanding of tribal jurisdiction as it applies to children’s subjects in Alaska.

4)  Demonstrate a basic understanding of the role of tribal courts and tribal councils in adoptions, child custody and child protection.

5)  Describe the significance of Due Process in tribal justice systems.

6)  Conduct a Tribal Court Hearing.

Instructional Methods: Instructional methods will include a combination of lecture, individual and small group discussion.

Course Policies: Attendance at all three days is mandatory. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and to contribute to group activities.

Text: Tribal Court Development Alaska Tribes. Jaeger, Lisa TCC 2002, 3rd Ed.

Film: “Tribal Courts: Opportunity for Healing”

Coursepack and other materials will be distributed in class

Office Hours: Since this is a 3 day intensive course, no office hours are scheduled. However, instructor will attend all sessions of the course and will be available via phone and fax for student contact after course contact period.

The Tribal Management Program can be reached toll-free at 1-866-474-5710

Evaluation and Grading:

This course will be graded pass/fail. In order to receive a passing grade, participants must receive a 70% or higher grade. Participants are expected to attend and actively participate in all sessions of this course. Participants will be assessed based upon practical application of skills and demonstration of course objectives.

Effective Participation and Leadership 30%

In-class exercise and demonstration of skills 40%

1)  Child Protection Exercise

2)  Child Custody Exercise

3)  Tribal Adoptions Exercise

4)  Practice Hearing

Course Notebook/Journal 30%

Effective Participation and Leadership (30%): Active participation during the entire 3-day classroom session is required to pass this course. Students are expected to actively participate in all group discussions, and demonstrate leadership ability.

In-class Exercise and Demonstration of Skills (40%): Participants are required to participate in all in-class exercises and to demonstrate application of course objectives.

Course Notebook/Journal (30%): Participants are required to keep a course notebook for the session. The course notebook should include notes on the presentations and reflections on how the information presented could affect the students’ village. The notebook will be presented to the instructor at the end of the workshop, and then returned to the student.

Support Services: The instructor is available upon appointment for additional assistance outside session hours.

Disability Services: UAF Disability Services for Distance Students

Disability Services provide a variety of services to assure equal access for all students. Interpreting services, educational assistants, note taking, and exam accommodations for students are the most frequently provided accommodations.

The staff of Disability Services works with faculty in arranging appropriate services in the classroom. Questions should be directed to the Director of Disability Services at (907)-474-5655.

http://www.uaf.edu/disability/

TM 111 Children’s Topics in Tribal Justice

Daily Schedule

Day 1

Morning:

9:00 am Introductions

Þ  Introduce yourself

Þ  Discuss your work in the community

Þ  Explain what you want to learn most in this class

View Video: “Tribal Courts: Opportunity for Healing”

Presentation and discussion: Children’s Cases in Tribal Court

Noon - Lunch

Afternoon:

1:00 pm Presentation and discussion: Jurisdiction and Federal Indian Law

Due Process

4:00 pm Done for the day

Homework: Read “Protecting Children Through Tribal Court”

Day 2

Morning:

9:00 am Presentation and discussion: Tribal Child Protections Cases / ICWA

Child Protection Exercise

Noon - Lunch

Afternoon:

1:00 pm Presentation and discussion: Tribal Child Custody and Adoptions

Child Custody Exercise

Tribal Adoptions Exercise

4:00 pm Done for the day

Homework: Read “Tribal Court Procedures and Due Process”

Day 3

Morning:

9:00 am Practice Tribal Court Hearing

1:00 pm Done for the day:

If you have any questions, feel free to can me at 1-866-474-5710