Kaw Nation Judicial Branch
The Kaw Nation Court System is located inside the tribal headquarters located at 698 Grandview Drive, Kaw City, Oklahoma. Business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.
Kaw Nation is a federally-recognized Indian tribe, organized pursuant to the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936, ch. 831, 49 Stat. 1967, codified in 25 U.S.C. 501 er seq., and operating under a constitution adopted by the Nation and approved by Interior on August 4, 1990.
Under its constitution, the Tribe has two legislative bodies: a seven-member Executive Council and a General Council composed of all adult tribal members. The Executive Council is empowered to act by majority vote. The constitution also provides for a judicial branch, composed of a Supreme Court consisting of three judges and such inferior courts as may be established by tribal law. The constitution provides that judges of the Kaw Supreme Court and judges of the inferior courts are selected by the Executive Council and confirmed by the General Council.
At the time the Tribe's constitution was approved, the Kaw Nation did not have an operating court system, and judicial power was then vested in the Interior Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs ('BIA') Court of Indian Offenses. The Kaw Nation's court system was established in 1991.
On April 9th, 1992 the Kaw Nation Tribal District and Supreme Courts had a Court dedication, blessing, and swearing in of Chief Justice, District Court Judges and Supreme Judges.
To find out more about the Kaw Nation Judicial System, click here:
www.kawnationjudicialbranch.com
