Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc.



SEEKING NATIVE JUSTICE

Guide to Pro Se Form Pleadings
Available in Tribal Courts






Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc.
4200 Perimeter Center Drive, Suite 222
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405/943-OILS
1/800-658-1497
FAX: 405/917-7060





Introduction to Tribal Courts

Oklahoma is the home of 39 tribal governments. As sovereign independent nations, each tribe has the inherent authority to operate it's own tribal court. These courts decide matters involving tribal members and within a Tribe's area of land defined as "Indian Country".

Oklahoma Tribes use two different types of courts; Tribal Courts and CFR(Court of Indian Offenses) Courts (Courts of Federal Regulations). Tribal courts are operated by the Tribe itself and may choose to hear only certain types of cases. Other tribes have chosen to rely upon CFR courts established and operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Generally, Tribal and CFR courts and their court clerks are accustomed to tribal members coming to them for assistance in filling out simple legal documents for the court to consider. Many of the Tribal Courts have form pleadings which only require blanks to be filled in and can be completed by non-attorneys.

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services has developed this directory listing the types of cases for which each Tribal and CFR Court has form pleadings available. You may contact your Tribe's court clerk to request the needed forms. In many instances the Clerk can assist you in filling out the information. Filing fees vary among courts; however, Tribal court fees are consistently lower than state or federal court costs.

Tribal and CFR courts are a valuable resource to Oklahoma Indian citizens. They frequently provide a less expensive and more timely resolution to a legal problem.



ABSENTEE-SHAWNEE TRIBAL COURT
Absentee-Shawnee Reserve
2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801
405/275-4030, Ext. 120
FAX: 405/273-7193

Court Clerk: Debbie Onzahwah

SPECIAL NOTE: Applicant is referred to a legal counsel for other legal matters.



ALABAMA-QUASSARTE TRIBAL TOWN (CREEK)
P.O. Box 537
Henryetta, Oklahoma 74437
918/247-8708
FAX: 918/247-8708

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town (Creek) to obtain current information.



APACHE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs P.O. Box 309 Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309 405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



CADDO TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



CHEROKEE NATION DISTRICT COURT
100 S. Muskogee Ave.
P.O. Box 1097
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465-1097
918/458-9447
FAX: 918/458-9572

Court Clerk: Lisa Fields

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



CHEYENNE-ARAPAHO TRIBES DISTRICT COURT
P.O. Box 102
Concho, Oklahoma 73002
405/262-7330

Court Clerk: Patricia A. White



CHICKASAW NATION COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs CFR Court
P.O. Box 2240
Ada, OK 74821
580/436-5150
FAX: 580/436-4948

Court Clerk: Linda Stewart



CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
CFR Court
HC-64 Box 3270
Tuskahoma, OK 74574-9758
918/569-4465
FAX: 918/569-4465

Court Clerk: Donna Heflin

SPECIAL NOTE: Court Clerk's telephone answers "Museum". Court Clerk is museum curator as well.



CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION DISTRICT COURT
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Complex
1601 S. Gordon Cooper Drive
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801
405/273-3216
FAX: 405/878-4845

Court Clerk: Robin Lash

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



COMANCHE NATION CHILDRENS COURT
Comanche Nation Complex
P.O. Box 908
Lawton, Oklahoma 73501
405/492-3770
FAX: 405/492-4981

Court Clerk: Dwight Pocowatchit

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



COMANCHE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



DELAWARE TRIBE OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA
108 S. Seneca
Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003
918/336-5272
FAX: 918/336-5513

Court Clerk: Marilyn Cole

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Delaware Tribe of Eastern Oklahoma to obtain current information.



DELAWARE TRIBE OF WESTERN OKLA. COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



EASTERN SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, Oklahoma 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



IOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA DISTRICT COURT
Route 1, Box 721
Perkins, Oklahoma 74059
405/547-2402
FAX: 405/547-5294

Court Clerk: Diane Jobe

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



KAW NATION DISTRICT COURT
Drawer 50
Kaw City, Oklahoma 74641
405/269-2552
FAX: 405/269-2301

Court Clerk: Lila Tah

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



KIALEGEE TRIBAL TOWN
P.O. Box 332
Wetumka, OK 74883
405/452-3413
FAX: 405/452-3413

SPECIAL NOTE: Please contact the Kialegee Tribal Town directly to obtain current information.



KICKAPOO TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA DISTRICT COURT
P.O. Box 70
McLoud, Oklahoma 74851-0070
405/964-2075
FAX: 405/964-2744

Court Clerk: Muriel Wheeler

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



KIOWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



LOYAL SHAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
P.O. Box 893
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465
918/253-4219
FAX: 918/456-6485

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Loyal Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to obtain current information.



MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, OK 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



MODOC TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, Oklahoma 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton

MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION DISTRICT COURT
P.O. Box 652
Okmulgee, Oklahoma 74447-6052
918/758-1412
FAX: 918/758-1413

Court Clerk: Nancy Jukich

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court to obtain current information.



OSAGE NATION DISTRICT COURT
627 Grandview
Pawhuska, OK 74056
918/287-2496

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Osage Nation District Court to obtain current information.



OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA TRIBAL COURT
Route 1, Box 62
Red Rock, Oklahoma 74651
404/723-4426
FAX: 405: 405/723-4579

Court Clerk: Timmi Huber Howe



OTTAWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, OK 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



PAWNEE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA DISTRICT COURT
P.O. Box 466
Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058
918/762-3011
FAX: 918/762-3032

Court Clerk: Helen Norris

SPECIAL NOTE: Refers all applicants to legal counsel.



PEORIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, Oklahoma 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



PONCA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs
609 E. Hartford Ave.
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601
405/247-9864, ext. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Terry Love



QUAPAW TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, Oklahoma 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton




SAC & FOX NATION DISTRICT COURT
Sac & Fox Reservation Tribal Courthouse
Route 2, Box 246
Stroud, Oklahoma 74079
918/968-2031
FAX: 918/968-3781

Court Clerk: Jeannie Pound




SEMINOLE NATION COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Wewoka Agency
P.O. Box 632
Seminole, Oklahoma 74818-0632
405/382-0091
FAX: 405/382-0091

Court Clerk: Loisetta Nix



SENECA-CAYUGA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, OK 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



THLOPTHLOCCO TRIBAL TOWN (CREEK)
P.O. Box 706
Okemah, Oklahoma 74859
918/623-2620
FAX: 918/623-0419

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town (Creek) to obtain current information.



TONKAWA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs
609 E. Hartford Ave.
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601
405/247-9864, EXT.231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Terry Love



UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND OF CHEROKEE
P.O. Box 746
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465
918/456-5491
FAX: 918/456-9601

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee to obtain current information.



WICHITA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES ANADARKO AREA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 309
Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005-0309
405/247-9864, EXT. 231
FAX: 405/247-7240

Court Clerk: Margaret L. Komalty



WYANDOTTE TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES
Bureau of Indian Affairs Miami Office
P.O. Box 391
Miami, Oklahoma 74355
918/542-6021
FAX: 918/542-7603

Court Clerk: Penny Sexton



YUCHI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
P.O. Box 1990
Sapulpa, Oklahoma 74087
918/227-3898
FAX: 918/227-3898

SPECIAL NOTE: Contact the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma to obtain current information.



Oklahoma Indian Legal Services would like to thank the Dewey County Publishing Company for their contributions which have helped make this Guide available.

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc.

Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (OILS) is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to low income Native Americans in Oklahoma. OILS represents Indian people in civil cases connected with their Indian status. OILS also provides community education programs about legal issues to Native American groups.

OILS deals with five general areas of Indian law. The first is Indian Child Welfare. This includes ICWA cases, adoptions and guardianships. The second area of law is Indian Housing. This includes MHO eviction and habitability issues. The third area is Natural Resources. This includes trust or restricted land problems, mineral interests, probates, wills, and determination of heirships. The next area of concentration is Tribal Sovereignty. The final area is Individual Rights. This includes education, access to health care, discrimination, and Indian Civil Rights Act issues.

To be eligible for services you must be low income. OILS does not handle criminal cases.

If you would like to apply for services, call OILS on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. An intake person will ask you questions about your legal problem and get needed information for your application. If OILS is unable to assist you, their attorneys will try and give you advice or refer you to an agency who may be able to help.