Past Projects
In AILC’s 35-year history, it is impossible to list every project we have completed. The following is a selected sample of some projects accomplished.
Model Tribal Research Code - The AILC developed a Model Tribal Research Code in 1994 to assist tribes in adopting appropriate protections for their members when medical or sociological research was proposed to study tribal members. The AILC has proposed to update this code and presently is seeking funding to accomplish this goal.
Revision of Felix Cohen’s HANDBOOK OF FEDERAL INDIAN LAW - (1982 edition and new edition in process). Two efforts to organize groups of scholars to revise and update the sole treatise in the field of Federal Indian law; published by the Michie Company (soon to be online).
Survey of Tribal Justice Systems (1995 -2000). Congressionally-mandated survey under the Indian Tribal Justice Act of Tribal Justice Systems throughout the nation, to determine needs and resources and form the basis for formula funding for tribal justice systems.
Head Start Analysis (1997). Subcontract with Walter R. MacDonald & Associates to determine unmet Indian Head Start needs and to identify special Indian and native learning style and parenting style practices, especially those which might be unrecognized in standard Head Start practice.
Training of Newly-Appointed Tribal Judges - Curriculum Development (1991-93).
Study of Tribal and Alaska Native Juvenile Justice Systems (1990 to 1992). Congressionally-mandated study, in a cooperative agreement with the Department of Justice, to analyze tribal juvenile justice systems, determine the resources available to provide services to delinquent juveniles and the extent to which tribal juvenile justice systems are consistent with the mandates of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, identify promising approaches for intervening with juvenile offenders, and prepare recommendations for improvements in tribal and Alaska Native juvenile justice systems.
Legal Needs of American Indian Elders Research Project (1988 - 1990) was a study of the legal needs of Indian elders vis-a-vis the non-Indian elder population. It entailed instrument design, sampling, data collection, and data analysis. A report and a model tribal elder protection code was developed.
Project INTACT: Indian Teams Acting for Families (1987-90).
Michigan Indian Health Needs Assessment (1989) assisted the state of Michigan and its advisory committee in understanding needs assessments, developing a strategy to conduct an assessment covering the scope of a study, instrumentation, sampling strategies, methodology, and developing the instrument.
Marketing Social Services Innovations (1987-89).
Effective Prosecution of Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Among New Mexico’s Northern Pueblos (1987-88) developed a prosecution unit among the eight northern Pueblos to prosecute abuse cases in tribal court; developed protocols; provided assistance as requested in developing children’s codes and/or community child protection teams.
Model Cross Deputization Agreement (1987) was developed to provide guidance to tribes and states on developing law enforcement agreements. It included pertinent legal research and commentary.
Improving Practitioner Decisionmaking (1986-1987). Child Welfare Training.
Commission on State-Tribal Relations (1976-87). A continuing project funded by multiple sources to study and improve the non-federal intergovernmental relations of American Indian tribes and Alaska Native organizations, with an emphasis on intergovernmental cooperation and alternatives to litigation.
Indian Child Welfare Impact and Improvements under P.L. 95-606 and P.L. 96-272 (1985) was a qualitative and quantitative study of state implementation of ICWA. It required a survey design (four separate surveys), data collection from state and tribal agencies, as well as from BIA Social Services, and analysis of the results. A report was published.
Law Enforcement Conference (1985) was a national conference attended by more than 300 law enforcement representatives from tribes, the federal government and states to discuss the law enforcement problems on trust land.
Enhancing Permanency Outcomes of Indian Children Under Tribal Jurisdiction (1985) entailed a personal review, analysis, and development of recommendations for improvements of each of 25 tribal children’s codes; collection of a comprehensive repository of tribal children’s codes; topical computer analysis of the codes in the repository; training of tribal officials including judges on ICWA, permanency planning and children codes; drafting of six children’s codes, including delinquency sections, for specific tribes. As part of a follow-up project, we also developed a Model Child Welfare Tribal-State Agreement which was published.
Effective Program Management Systems to Tribal Organizations (1985) is one of a series of projects since 1981 on management information systems to improve tribal response to child abuse and neglect.
Tribal Evaluation of Bureau Programs (1981-83) was a study of BIA programs, including law enforcement and judicial programs. The project required the development of questionnaires and guides, included data collection and surveys. An evaluation handbook was developed.
The Relationship of Tribal Governments and Tribal Courts (1981) was a study which concentrated on the place tribal courts have in tribal government and dealt with the issue of tribal separation of powers. A text and curriculum was produced. The study included all federal and state recognized tribes and conducted samples in large urban communities and other areas of the state.
Paralegal Training Program (1978-79) was designed to train governmental paralegals who would work primarily for tribal governments, but also could work for the federal government.
Formation of World Council of Indigenous Peoples (1974-77). Participated in world-wide effort to organize indigenous peoples, culminating in the first international conference organized by indigenous peoples, the formation of the World Council, and accreditation as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations.
