Mission Statement:

The mission of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court is to fully implement the constitutional delegation of general jurisdiction judicial power from the people of the Band consistent with self-determination and the sovereign powers of the Nation.

Goals:

• To develop a judicial system which meets the judicial needs of both the tribal community and its government.
• To provide a forum for the resolution of all disputes under tribal law arising in law and equity.
• To provide due process and equal protection to all persons.
• To promote Tribal self-government, community development and the human potential of all persons.
• To develop judicial institutions and judicial tools which reflect the Band’s culture, traditions and values.

• Click here to download the Tribal Court Mission Statement as a PDF

Requirements for Practicing Before Tribal Courts:

The Tribal Courts allow attorneys, who are admitted to practice in any state and who are in good standing, to practice before the Tribal Courts. Each applicant for admission must complete an Application for Admission, Oath of Admission, and must be duly admitted to practice.

• Application for Admission to Practice
• Oath of Admission

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Court Rules:

• Chapter 1 - Procedures for Adoption of Court Rules
• Adopted on February 25, 2008
• Chapter 2 - Court Rules for Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Court Judgments, Warrants, and Subpoenas
• Posted for review and comment May 12, 2008
• Chapter 3 - Court Rules of Ethics for Tribal Court Personnel
• Posted for review and comment July 27, 2008

Administrative Orders:

• 08-001-CJ: Order for Interim Adoption of the State of Michigan Rules for Practice, Procedure and Evidence
• Adopted on February 26, 2008
• 08-002-CJ: Order for Adoption of a Schedule of Court Fees
• Adopted on April 22, 2008
• 08-003-CJ: Order for Admission to Practice Before the Tribal Courts
• Adopted on February 26, 2008

Schedule of Court Fees:

• Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court - Schedule of Court Fees

Chief Judge: Michael Petoskey

I am a Grand Traverse Band member and licensed Michigan attorney. I was the Chief Judge for my Tribe for over fourteen (14) years until retirement from the position. I recently was sworn in as the Chief Judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe. I am also Chief Judge of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Associate Justice of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Court of Appeals and Chief Appellate Court Judge of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Appellate Court.

In 2000 I was honored by the American Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan with the Section’s annual “Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award” for leadership in moving Michigan state courts and tribal courts away from conflict toward cooperation.

I received my undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in Economics in 1975 and my Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico in 1983. I am a Vietnam veteran having served as an infantry medic.

Contact Information:
Michael Petoskey
Chief Judge

Court Administrator: R. Scott Ryder

I have recently been selected for the position of Court Administrator. I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan since 1975. I began my legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Shiawassee County handling a wide variety of civil and criminal cases with an emphasis on the juvenile court. In 1979 I was appointed to the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Court. In the 25 years I served in that position I presided over more than 20,000 cases involving neglected and delinquent children and divorce and custody matters.

For the last 2 ½ years I have been the juvenile court administrator for St. Joseph county Michigan. I have been on adjunct assistant professor at Western Michigan University and an instructor at Glenn Oaks Community College teaching courses in Criminal Law and Procedure and Juvenile Justice. I have co-authored a college level text book titled “Juvenile Justice: A Social, Historical, and Legal Perspective.” I am married and my wife Denise and I live in Kalamazoo with our stepdaughter. I also have 3 grown sons.

Contact Information:
R. Scott Ryder
Court Administrator
269-729-5151
sryder@nhbpi.com