Intertribal Court of Southern California, Board of Directors Appointed and in Full Operation
by Theresa Rocha (Oneida/Ojibwe)

San Diego County is rich in American Indian heritage, population, and culture, and it holds the greatest number of federally recognized tribes in the nation at 18.  Many tribes, such as the La Posta Band of Kumeyaay Indians, are extremely small with an estimated tribal enrollment of 25, while others, such as the Pala Indian tribal community, boast an enrollment figure of nearly 1,000 enrolled members. These 18 tribes are unique both in their historical relationship to the region as well as in their contemporary exercise of tribal sovereignty and self determination through their participation in the recently created Intertribal Court of Southern California (ICSC).

Born from within the Chairman’s Association, the ICSC now operates as an independent judiciary funded by member tribes belonging to the consortium. During ICSC’s past year in official operation, the court has experienced its fair share of excitement, praise, scrutiny, and community appreciation in response to the wide variety of legal services offered to local residents. Recently, a momentous meeting took place on the morning of July 10, 2007 as seven tribal leaders from local communities convened with ICSC staff to inaugurate the recently appointed and independent board of directors cabinet. This governing body is responsible for leading the court into a new chapter of community service, determining admission for tribes wishing to join the court consortium, and overseeing the general operating functions of the court. From the vantage point of tribal court intern, I can wholeheartedly attest that this first meeting was a tremendous success! It was apparent that each tribal community sent their dedicated best to represent their unique perspectives on the qualities an effective judicial consortium must display to garner community validity and usefulness.

After a historical overview of the consortium’s development led by Tribal Court Administrator Temet Aguilar, this friendly and focused ICSC board quickly addressed the agenda. Dialogue covered a number of pertinent issues, ranging from determining sustainable funding avenues to be actively pursued to the formulation of a justice center model to foster effective communication among tribal, federal, state, county, and local governments to work together on concurrent and exclusive jurisdictional issues. What is particularly exciting about this model is the concentration of principal resources for American Indian peoples seeking legal assistance, as the Intertribal Court, tribal attorneys, law enforcement, educational materials, and public conferences could all be held in one centralized location.

Please feel free to contact me at theresa.ysabel@ucla.edu for updates on this exciting community development.