Office of Tribal Justice
U.S. Department of Justice

Mission Statement

Tracy Toulou: Director

Lawrence Baca, R. Trent Shores, and Kyle Nayback: Deputy Directors

Office of Tribal Justice
Office of Tribal Justice
Room 2200 Main Justice Building
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Telephone: (202) 514-8812
Fax: (202) 514-9078

The mission of the Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ) is to coordinate and focus the Department's policies and positions on American Indian and Alaska Native issues, maintain liaison with the federally recognized Indian tribes, and work with appropriate federal, state, and local officials, professional associations, and public interest groups. The major functions of the Office are to:

• Communicate with tribal representatives on Department issues of concern to Indian tribes;

• Ensure that the Department clearly communicates policies and positions to tribal leaders;

• Maintain liaison between the Department and the various divisions and bureaus of the Department and the state, county, and local governments, professional organizations, special interest groups, and private entities with interests in, or responsibilities for, tribal matters;

• Promote internal uniformity of Department policies and litigating positions relating to Indian country; and,

• Coordinate, together with the Office of Legislative Affairs, the Department's legislative efforts relating to Indian country.

Within the Department, the Office coordinates the on-going work of Justice Divisions responsible for Indian issues. This coordination will allow the Department to ensure consistency in Indian policy, maximize limited resources, and better leverage expertise and experience in Indian legal issues.

Outside of the Department, the Office plays a major role in coordinating with federal agencies with responsibilities in Indian country, such as the Department of the Interior, the Indian Health Service at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency. OTJ serves as the primary means within the Department of coordinating federal Indian policy.

OTJ is responsible for coordinating relations with elected tribal officials. OTJ also serves as the clearinghouse for all correspondence relating to Indian matters.

Below is a representative list of some current Department of Justice activities for Indian country for which OTJ has coordination and liaison responsibilities.

1. Law Enforcement

2. Indian Grant Programs and Project Implementation

3. Litigation and Legislative Matters

4. Tribal Justice Systems and Public Law 280 Policy

5. Religious Freedom and the Protection of Sacred Sites and Resources

6. International Indigenous Peoples Rights

7. State and Federal Taxation of Indian Tribes

8. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Tribal Gaming Issues

OTJ enables the Department to address issues that are of importance to the Nation's first Americans with renewed effectiveness.

OTJ Home Page | Office of Tribal Justice Mission Statement | Department of Justice Sovereignty Policy
Remarks by Attorney General | Presidential Statements | Grants/Funding | Congressional Testimony
Indian Country Law Enforcement | Press Releases | Links to Other Sites | DOJ Home Page

Last Updated July 8, 2002
doj/jmd/ls/tvu