Skip to content
Back to top

Michigan

Other

Title: American Indian Law Committee
Parties: Michigan tribal courts, Michigan courts
Date enacted/published: ongoing

Description:

Review issues of American Indian law, focusing on the relationship between tribal courts, state courts, and federal courts, and on the promotion of positive relationships between the lawyers of Michigan and the American Indian Community. Their web page includes links to meeting minutes and annual reports. Their future goals include

  • Continue efforts to monitor drafting of revisions to Michigan Court Rules designed to implement responsibilities under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
  • Continue to develop relationships with other Committees/Sections within the Bar to raise the profile/familiarity with Indian Law and the role/jurisdiction of Indian tribes and tribal courts in the state.
For additional information contact:
William J. Brooks, Chair
William J. Brooks PLLC
359 River St # 206
PO Box 607
Manistee, MI 49660-0607
Phone: (231) 723-1101
Title: Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, A Court Resource Guide
Parties: Michigan tribal courts, Michigan courts
Date enacted/published: March 2011

Description:

This court resource guide was written by a special committee formed by the Michigan Supreme Court to help Michigan judges learn about the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, the need for states to comply with the Act, and discuss its implementation in Michigan. The committee consisted of tribal and state welfare directors, tribal and state judges, and other tribal community members.

For additional information contact:
ICWA Special Committee
State Court Administrative Offices
925 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 373-0130
Title: Michigan Bar Journal's Annual Directory
Parties: State of Michigan and Native nations located in that state
Date enacted/published: 1993

Description:

The directory issue, which is sent to more than 40,000 lawyers licensed in the state, contains a wealth of information about each tribe located in Michigan:

  • The nature and organization of the tribe’s government,
  • Tribal constitutions and other governing documents,
  • The structure of the tribe’s court system,
  • The territorial jurisdiction of the tribe,
  • Caseloads during the previous year,
  • Requirements for admission to practice before the tribal court,
  • The tribal court’s facilities,
  • Current personnel,
  • The extent to which the tribe has entered into intergovernmental agreements, and
  • The sources of tribal law and procedure. 

In addition, the Michigan Bar Journal periodically dedicates one of its monthly issues to Indian law and tribal law. Since 1986, the Michigan Bar Journal has published four issues that were specifically dedicated to exploring Indian law topics. Overall, the Michigan Bar Journal has published 25 articles on Indian law issues during the past 25 years, on topics ranging from ICWA to criminal jurisdiction, economic development, and state-tribal relations.

For additional information contact:
Michael Petoskey
Chief Judge
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
P.O. Box 355
Dowagiac, MI 49047
(269) 783-0505
michael.petoskey@gmail.com
Title: Tribal Courts in Michigan Web Page
Parties: Michigan tribal courts, Michigan courts
Date enacted/published: ongoing

Description:

The Michigan Supreme Court provides a webpage with the contact information and links to the websites of the 12 recognized tribes in Michigan, their tribal courts, and their statutes.

For additional information contact:
State Court Administrative Offices
925 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 373-0130