Intertribal Court A Tribal Court System Serving The Native American Community

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Judge Brandenburg’s Speech at Dedication Ceremony on August 1, 2008 Rincon, California

“Thank you...thank you all for so graciously taking the time from your busy schedules to come to this place… once far removed from the mainstream. Thank you for joining us in this dedication of the new tribal court justice center.

But I do hope you realize this is more than…so much more than a simple structure, it is more than just brick and mortar …What you see here today represents over a half century of effort, of dreams and hope by the men and women of our Native communities here in Southern California. While some of them are no longer with us like Chairman Wright of Rincon and Chairman Mesa of Jamul we know they and those who came before them are with us in spirit.

Today is about History…. it is about Justice, it is about Native people bringing THE RULE OF law to their tribal nations

The true of story of Native Americans is more than just a quaint footnote in the full Context of American History…it is a history within a history one of suppression, struggle, separation and survival …and while there is no great monument to this let today be part of the foundation which we shall build one.

YES…History speaks for itself with regard to the treatment of Native Americans in the United States. There is no dispute----a timeline of events chronicling the relationship between the Indian and the United States Government at the Federal, State and Local levels is replete with atrocities committed upon tribal people… from the stealing our children, land and natural recourses to out and out genocide. Yet the people continue to endure.

Taking from a recent article I read in a newspaper…this has bred a culture of skepticism, cynicism, fear and distrust of the law and the American Judicial system among Native Americans.

But today by the Grace of our Creator we pray this is behind us While unacceptable ……IT IS HISTORY... And yet we know there is much to heal…. not just in our relationships but within our selves.

While the inherent trauma may never be erased and forgiveness is difficult we shall and must move forward

Just a few short years ago the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association under the direction of the leadership of men like Mr. Dennis Turner and Chairman Robert Smith revived the long-standing dream of a Tribal Court System. Together with the energy and ability of a young recent American native law school graduate, our Court Administrator Temet Aguilar, they began building on that dream

And now less than three years after that dream came to fruition we are here today. Beginning with 3 member tribes in this short period of time the Intertribal Court System has grown to 10 tribes and continues to grow!

As a FULL SERVICE SYSTEM our court now handles a variety of types of cases.

From workers compensation to personal injury, dependency, ICWA, domestic violence, environmental, hunting and fishing, complete peace and security codes, arbitration and mediation services, attorney referral and much more...WE ARE SO FAR A SUCCESS.

However we are well aware …our tribal justice system cannot stand alone in today’s world. Encroaching urbanization, tribal enterprising and much more continue to bring our tribes closer and closer to the non-native population.

Establishing and enforcing the rule of law within tribal lands, promoting the health, safety and welfare of our tribal people and ALL those who live, work and play in Indian Country is a difficult and often legally intricate task.

Continued success of our Judicial System is dependent on a communicative equation…we need the help of our state and local officials…. and they need ours.

The final cause of the Law is the welfare of Society--- the law is logic and history and custom and utility and accepted standards of right conduct…NO, THESE ARE NOT THE MY WORDS NOR ARE THEY THE WORDS OF ONE OF OUR GREAT CHIEFS …these are the words of Justice Bengiman Cardozo of the United States Supreme court.

This is not a fools errand we are on...make no mistake, we are steadfast in this journey yet beyond history and the pain of intergenerational trauma we know working together in an open, honest threat free environment, coveted with mutual mutual respect we can and will continue to succeed in this all important endeavor.

On a personal level this is not some abstract concept. Like many here today I know of the struggle and the search for identity, the need to allow ones self to be who you truly are …and in the face of all odds it does not come easy…there so much noise in the way. But today with thanks to His grace we have been blessed and for me...I have found my destiny for who I am no longer matters but how I can be of service to the people is the answer.

There is no greater compliment to the sovereignty and autonomy of our tribal nations than in independent judicial system

As difficult as it may be…we must move beyond the past We must allow ourselves on both sides to heal
We must walk as equal partners in JUSTICE sharing our concerns for the benefit of all
We must respect who we are, those we serve and those who serve us
We must continue to build strong trusting relationships where once there was only distrust


AS DIFFICULT AS IT MAY BE, given time and with the support of each of you here today we shall continue to succeed. FOR THIS WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS IS OUR DREAM! THANK YOU”

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