The Michigan Tribal State Federal Judicial Forum will convene October 10-11 in Brimley to further its work in the area of Indian child welfare and domestic violence crimes.
"This Forum is so valuable in bringing our respective communities together to address shared issues of importance, such as child health and welfare," said Justice Bridget M. McCormack, who serves as the Michigan Supreme Court liaison on tribal issues. "By working together, we gain a better understanding of different legal, cultural and historical perspectives on these issues, making us all better jurists."
Created by Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2014-12, the Forum will be meeting for the sixth time since adopting its charter in 2014 in Petoskey. The Forum will be hosted by the Bay Mills Indian Community, and will be co-chaired by 22nd Circuit Court Judge Timothy Connors and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Chief Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado.
At its upcoming meeting, the Forum will engage in strategic planning and goal setting with retired Utah Judge William Thorne, now a consultant with the Casey Family Programs Foundation, address current issues surrounding Indian child welfare, discuss the changing of tribal custody orders in state courts, hear an update on Pro Hac Vice proposed court rule change, and more.
The Forum consists of the chief tribal judges of each of Michigan's 12 federally recognized tribes, or their designated alternate judges, and 10 state court judges, who are appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court from among a pool of currently serving or retired Michigan judges or justices. Retired Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh continues to serve as a member.
In addition to conducting its regular business, Forum members will receive a tour of the Bay Mills Indian Community Tribal Court with Chief Judge Bryan Newland. As part of its national tribal and child welfare initiatives, the Casey Family Programs Foundation will sponsor the meeting.
For additional information, visit www.courts.mi.gov/tribalcourts
Published: Mon, Oct 10, 2016
