FourStar Receives National Justice Honor
When Fort Peck Tribal Court Chief Judge Stacie FourStar was notified that she was selected the Guardian of Justice Award winner, the news received from the National Native American Bar Association wasn’t expected at all.
“I was completely surprised,” FourStar said.
The National Native American Bar Association serves as the national organization for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. The association strives for justice and effective legal representation for all American indigenous peoples; fosters the development of Native American lawyers and judges; and addresses social, cultural and legal issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
The award received by FourStar was for her judicial work.
“Once they do nominations, they take a vote of all the board of directors,” she explained.
She has served as the chief judge for the Fort Peck Tribes since 2015. Previously, she was an associate judge and a prosecutor.
FourStar said one of the reasons that she was nominated was because of her positive work in tribal court and promoting an access to justice.
Since she became chief judge, an estimated $12 million in grants for direct services have come to the Fort Peck Reservation.
One target area deals with partner or family member assault incidents. A curriculum was developed for offender accountability.
Instructor Stephanie Knowlton offers a 14-session instruction to address the problem. FourStar said close to 400 individuals have completed the course. Once the offenders finishes the course, it goes toward their completion of sentence.
Another positive program has been the family healing to wellness course which addresses addiction issues. The families could be dealing with court or social services complaints.
FourStar said Gwen Gourneau, court family case coordinator, works effectively with clients dealing with meth addiction. A parental course is offered.
The judge noted that nationally treatment courts are becoming healing pieces and alternatives to sentencing. The DUI court and juvenile healthy to wellness programs have also been successful.
“We want to better our communities,” FourStar said.
