The National Center on Restorative Justice’s (NCORJ) Tribal Restorative Justice Laws Database was created as a resource for restorative justice advocates, practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers—both for tribes and throughout other jurisdictions in the United States. Our aim is to organize and display in an easily navigated format the ways in which tribes have codified the use of restorative justice approaches. This database expands upon NCORJ’s Restorative Justice Laws Database, which lists state restorative justice laws.
The expansion of the Restorative Justice Laws Database to include tribal laws was a natural one. Contemporary restorative justice has roots in Indigenous cultures and practices, both in the United States and globally, and tribes continue to be leaders in restorative justice practice and systems today. This Tribal Restorative Justice Laws Database shows the many codified restorative justice practices that exist in tribal law and is, to our knowledge, the first time this data has been collected and presented in a public and easily accessible format.
Thank you to Grace Carson for her leadership and expertise in the creation of this database. Thank you also to the research assistants who helped on this project: Kylie Belt, Anna VanRoy, and Jonathan Eagle.
The NCORJ is committed to continuing to update this database. This database was last updated in January 2026. If you see something that is missing or a correction is required, please be in touch. For more information about the development of the database, to get assistance navigating it, or to request a copy of the raw data for research purposes, please contact Lindsey Pointer (lpointer@vermontlaw.edu).
NOTES REGARDING THE TRIBAL CODES AND TRIBES INCLUDED IN THE DATABASE
Tribal Code Accessibility
Many tribes’ legal codes are not included in this database due to the fact that those tribes do not have their code published and/or do not wish to share their code with the public. The codes in this database should not be considered the only tribal restorative justice laws to exist.
Tribes Included
The tribes included in the Tribal Restorative Justice Laws Database are those who are federally recognized. Federally recognized tribes are those that are formally acknowledged by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs as holding a government-to-government relationship with the federal government. As such, these tribes have recognized tribal sovereignty. With recognized tribal sovereignty comes the right to tax, make and enforce laws, and regulate activities. Important for this database, federal recognition comes with established tribal criminal jurisdiction (though, this jurisdiction is dependent on where the tribe is located, among other factors). Tribes that are not federally recognized (i.e., are only state recognized) lack the ability to exercise the same rights and powers that tribes whose sovereignty is formally acknowledged by the federal government, and as such, lack tribal criminal jurisdiction (though, tribes that are not federally recognized may be able to establish restorative justice practices and efforts through other means, such as through social services, grant funded projects, and intergovernmental agreements with the state). Because of this, we decided to limit the tribes included in this database to those that are federally recognized. We acknowledge that the recognition process for tribes is a product of settler colonialism, and purposefully exclusionary. We do not view tribes that are not federally recognized as any less valid than those that are.
Additional Information
§ 4.01.220 Disposition (1) Pre-dispositional Report-Purpose. The Indian Child Welfare case manager, in consultation with the other social services professionals, shall prepare a written report describing all reasonable and appropriate actions and services that are necessary for the parent(s) to…
§ 2.03.270 Alternative Sentencing. The Court may, with approval of the Hoh Tribal Business Committee (HTBC), impose a more traditional sentence than a straight fine and/or jail. It shall be the responsibility of the Defendant to request alternative sentencing and…
§ 4.01.230 Family Group Conference. (1) The Family Group Conference may be held at any time prior to or following court involvement when a decision must be made about where a child should live. Family Group Conference otherwise known as…
§ 4.06.150 Preventative Measures The Tribe may attempt the following listed below in lieu of filing a petition with the Court to ensure safety of the elder or vulnerable adult when not at risk of imminent harm. The Tribe is…
§ 4.02.060 Criminal Remedy – Crime of Domestic Violence. (4) In addition to or in lieu of the imposition of such confinement and/or fine, the Court shall order the convicted person to participate in the Hoh Tribe’s Family Services’ certified…
§ 4.02.070 Criminal Remedy – Crime of Stalking. (c) In addition to or in lieu of the imposition of such confinement and/or fine, the Court shall order the convicted person to participate in the Hoh Tribe’s Family Services certified domestic…
§ 4.02.100 Special Court Rules for Domestic Violence Crimes. (3) If the alleged perpetrator pleads guilty, a pre-sentence report may be ordered at the discretion of the Court prior to sentencing. (4) If it appears to the Court that alcohol…
§8.8.7 Remedies. In determining the appropriate remedies when a compulsory school attendance — truancy violation is found, the Tribal Court may impose one or more of the following: (a) Mandatory school attendance, with proof of attendance and submission of grades…
§8.8.4(f) Any youth who is the subject of a truancy report and his or her parent(s), custodian, or legal guardian may be referred to remedial services. The parties may also utilize alternative mechanisms for resolving the matter, including mechanisms recognized…
7-11.100 Relief – Protection Order. (A) Upon notice and after hearing, if the Tribal Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent has committed an act of domestic violence against the petitioner, regardless of whether the respondent…