The Chippewa Cree Tribe Judical Commission adopted a process for the Tribal Court to implement an Administrative Citizen Customer Complaint Process so that any complaint against staff members, Judges or members of the Judicial Commission will be handled uniformly and expeditiously.
All Lay Advocates/Attorneys must renew their certificate and sit for a new bar exam prior to their $100 annual fee expiration date, and pay a $50 bar exam fee. All lay advocates/attorneys must sit for a new bar exam on site. The new bar exam consists of 100 questions and 75 questions must be answered correctly. Answers are found in the adopted Title I & VI law & order codes. It is procedure for each lay advocate/attorney to submit an application to sit for the bar exam on site, pay $50 bar exam fee and $100 annual fee, sign a consent form to conduct tribal criminal history, submit a fingerprint criminal history check with a local police department where they reside for a state and federal records check. Lay Advocates/Attorneys cannot have a federal crime conviction. According to Lay Advocate/Attorney code, lay advocates/attorneys must be in good standing in any jurisdiction licensed/admitted to practice law. Once criminal history is obtained and it is determined lay advocate/attorney is in good standing, fees are paid and the bar exam is completed, graded with a passing 75% score, a certificate is awarded for one year.
This list is current as of August 5, 2026.
Call the court for more information @ 406-395-4735.
Posted July 29, 2025
Posted June 2025
The Chippewa Cree Tribal Court, through the visionary leadership from the Judicial Commission, hold strategic planning meetings with the Tribal Court, stakeholders, members of the Judicial Commission and elected Business Committee members.
ABOUT
The CCTC is devoted to the support of tribal community members’ justice system through education, information, sharing and advocacy. The Chippewa Cree Tribal Court will strive to provide traditional means of resolving disputes in all facets of the justice system. In a concerted effort to strengthen the court’s ability to evolve its shift toward culturally relevant and appropriate justice, the CCTC developed a Mission statement to reflect the enhancement of the tribal justice system.
MISSION
THE CHIPPEWA CREE TRIBAL COURT, GUIDED BY CULTURE AND TRADITION, WILL PROVIDE EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.
VISION
The Chippewa Cree Tribal Court’s vision is to provide fair and equitable justice for all with respect to tradition and culture as a full-functioning independent Judicial branch of government in collaboration with our community; and, to incorporate Chief Rocky Boy’s vision to “Love one another and take care of each other.”
The Chippewa Cree Tribal Court recognizes that to be successful in the accomplishment of the mission an integral value and belief system is needed. The CCTC strategic planning sessions spurred discussion and the result is the development of Guiding Principles.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The foundation of organizational culture lies with the values and beliefs that reflect the way in which the organization conducts carrying out its mission. The CCTC defined these principles to define and reinforce the values and beliefs of the organization for the long-term success of the Tribal Court.
LONG-TERM GOALS
The purpose of long-term goals is to accomplish the Mission. Long term goals identified through the strategic planning process are as followed:
To become the most competent Tribal Court in Montana;
To become a knowledgeable court that facilitates activities and processes that promote a holistically healthy community, and;
To honor, preserve and maintain our culture.
Five strategic directions have been identified through a strategic planning process. These will guide the actions to be taken to achieve the “Vision of Success for 2019”. Each major strategic direction represents a specific category around which goals, objectives, outcome measures, and actions will be developed.
The five strategic directions are:
All parties will be guaranteed due process and treated in a fair and just manner regardless of race, culture, age, gender, disability, and religious preference. The judicial branch will be responsive to the needs of the public and shall enhance the public’s understanding of and confidence in the tribal courts.
The judiciary shall be an independent branch of government that seeks, uses and accounts for Tribal/Federal/State and private sector funding necessary for its support. The independence of judicial decision-making shall be protected.
The Tribal Court recognizes the importance and will provide culture/community/family values and beliefs into the Tribal Court System.
Management of operations shall be administered utilizing best practices, innovative ideas, competent judges, judicial officers, and staff within appropriate facilities.
The effectiveness of judges and other judicial branch staff shall be enhanced through continuing education and training.
