Court Services

MISSION STATEMENT

The Pend Oreille Valley CASA Program is committed to providing every dependent child, within our jurisdictions, a voice through qualified Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litems (CASA/GAL) through recruitment, screening, supervision and cross-cultural training.  All of our CASA/GAL volunteers shall be well-trained and compassionate advocates for these children, who are our future.

VISION STATEMENT

Every child deserves a safe and loving home.  Our vision is to ensure that every child that comes before our courts, under either federal or state law, has a trained and dedicated Special Advocate to promote healthy outcomes for them by helping to secure a safe and permanent home in which they can thrive for a positive future.

CASA VOLUNTEERS

• Concerned community members with energy and compassion to address the needs of children and youth in the court system.
• Will receive training and support.
• Gather information and present a fact based report to the Judge, which reflects what is in the best interest of the child.
• Help the Judge make an informed decision about the child’s placement and future.
• Stay with a child’s case, supporting the child, until the case is closed.

With a CASA at their side, children know there is one special person who will be there for them that will help them find a safe, loving permanent home where their culture is honored.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, learning more about what CASAs do or want to donate to the Pend Oreille Valley CASA program, please contact the CASA Program Manager, Johnna Konkright.

To report your training or to report your mileage and volunteer hours, click here.

CONTACT

CASA Program Manager:
Johnna Konkright
casa@kalispeltribe.com
(509) 447-7150

MISSION STATEMENT

To help our youth become well and whole through family, culture and community.

VISION STATEMENT

To empower our youth now, so they can become Tribal leaders with cultural wisdom, integrity, strength and wellness for their future.

The Juvenile Justice Coordinator provides intervention and outreach services for Kalispel Tribal and Native American Community Members residing in Pend Oreille and Spokane Counties towards prevention of juvenile delinquent actions and potential criminal activity.

CONTACT

Community Programs Manager:
Allyson Bluff
anbluff@kalispeltribe.com
(509) 447-7126

Juvenile Justice Coordinator:
Renee Wynne
rwynne@kalispeltribe.com
(509) 447-7126

MISSION STATEMENT

Encourage individual responsibility for life choices and demanding respect for one another and the laws & code of the Kalispel Tribe People.

VISION STATEMENT

To empower court involved individuals so they will be positive role models in the Community and contribute to the Tribe’s future through cultural wisdom, strength and wellness.

CONTACT

Probation Officer:
Gunnar Watson
gwatson@kalispeltribe.com
(509) 447-7172

ABOUT

The Kalispel Records Division is a service offered as a result of the Tribe’s use of the FullCourt Case Management System. The records are kept separate from the Court’s records but are maintained to the same strict standards and are only accessible by authorized individuals. The Records Division was set up at no additional cost to the tribe’s limited resources and provides for a safe, secure, and neutral place to store your private personal documents so you can be sure that when you need them, you can find them.

We scan and preserve community records, including wills and estate documents, deeds, titles, marriage certificates, and other important documents.

CONTACT

(509) 445-1664

ABOUT

This resource consists of an inkless “livescan” Finger Print capture device and an FBI certified high definition Xerox laser printer. Currently, we offer the following fingerprint services:

• Criminal Justice Employment Fingerprint Background Checks
• FBI 10-Print
• ICW Child Placement Fingerprint Background Checks
• Tribal Housing Tenant Fingerprint Background Checks

CONTACT

Monday - Thursday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Call for an appointment: (509) 445-1664

ABOUT

Legal Clinic
The Justice System Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Kalispel Business Committee in 2014, identified several needs from the community and one of them was the need to expand the availability and accessibility of legal aid services for the benefit of Tribal and Community Members. In order to meet this objective, the Kalispel Tribal Court and Gonzaga Law School’s Clinical Legal Programs have partnered to offer free legal advice and services to Tribal and Community Members that are in need of assistance through the Kalispel Legal Advice Clinic. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with an attorney or supervised law student to discuss issues pertaining to non-criminal legal matters including (but not limited to): wills and estate planning, probate, family law and child support, housing issues, employment, and driver’s license restoration.

The Kalispel Legal Advice Clinic is held monthly in both Cusick and Airway Heights.

To make an appointment, or to request additional information, please call (509) 447-7126 or email anbluff@kalispeltribe.com.

CONTACT

Community Programs Manager:
Allyson Bluff

anbluff@kalispeltribe.com  
(509) 447-7126

RESOURCES

Cusick – Kalispel Legal Advice Flyer
Airway Heights – Kalispel Legal Advice Clinic Flyer
Kalispel Legal Advice Clinic Intake Form
GLS-CLP Legal Assistance Application
General Practice and Indian Law Clinic – Gonzaga University School of Law

Kalispel Tribe Strategic Plan

In the fall of 2012, the Kalispel Tribal Court received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice under the Consolidated Tribal Assistance Solicitation #2 to support a comprehensive planning effort for the tribal justice system, which the Kalispel Tribe defines as the Kalispel Tribal Court and the Department of Public Safety. A planning committee was formed comprised of members of the Planning Department, Kalispel Tribal Court, Kalispel Department of Public Safety and several members of the Kalispel Reservation community and tribal members. A consultant was hired to facilitate the planning process.

Seven separate trends were identified by the Kalispel Community which led to the emergence of eight distinct goals.

Those seven trends are:

1. The breakdown in family
2. The Tribal Court’s lack of responsiveness to the community
3. A strengthening community
4. Poor communication
5. The growing importance of culture
6. Positive trends in youth
7. Healing the wounds of historical trauma

The goals arising from those trends were identified as:

1. United, strong, committed, conflict free families that withstand peer pressure and have a strong sense of identity and belonging
2. United community
3. Kalispel Culture Committee is central to the Kalispel Tribal Court, and to all departments
4. Traditional Kalispel Culture is central to all aspects of community life
5. Improved intra-tribal communications/interpersonal communications
6. Women’s civil rights advocate
7. Youth are educated on a holistic approach and balance in the four areas of emotional, spiritual, mental and physical