Domestic Violence
Contact MILS
If you need assistance seeking a PPO through a tribal court, please contact MILS at 231-947-0122.
Starting August 1, 2023, MILS has an Equal Justice Works, Crime Victims Advocacy Program Fellow on staff for 2 years to work in the Tribal Court systems with victims of crime (with a focus on domestic violence).
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
In the state of Michigan there are 12 federally recognized tribes. Each tribal court has their own Tribal Codes, Court Rules, and internal procedures. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which was updated in 2022, tribes exercising VAWA 2013 Criminal Jurisdiction continue to have Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over non-Indian defendants who (1) violate a qualified Personal Protection Order within Indian country of that tribe; (2) violates a provision of a protection order that prohibits or provided protection against one or more of the following: (a) violent or threatening acts or harassment against, (b) sexual violence against, (c) contact or (d) communication with, or physical proximity to, another person; and (3) the PPO was issued against the defendant, and (6) is consistent with section 2265(b) of title 18, of the U.S. Code.
All tribes have “full civil jurisdiction” to issue and enforce protection orders involving any person, including non-Indians. However, when a person violates the PPO, the tribal government may only bring criminal charges against the non-Indian defendant if they are exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction in compliance with VAWA 2022. As of January 2023, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians are currently exercising Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction over non-Indians under VAWA 2022. While all tribes have a right to punish non-Indians using civil sanctions (e.g. exclude violators from Indian land, charging fines, etc.), those who comply with VAWA 2022, may hold non-Indian defendants criminally responsible for violating qualifying personal protection orders. 18 US Code 2265(e).
Firekeeper's Daughter Presentation
with Angeline Boulley & Special Legal Guests (Prof. Carlson, Hon. Fabry, Hon. Pope, & Jeff Davis)
Other Sources of Legal Help
CvLAP (statewide and on some reservations) (tribalsurvivorhelp@lsscm.org)
Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (statewide and on-reservation)
EVE (Lansing area)
Legal Aid and Defender (Detroit area)
Local legal aid offices (Call 888-783-8190 for the southern half of the state and visit LSNM to find the correct office to call for the northern half of the state)
For contact information for Indian Legal Services programs in other states, please visit the MILS NAILS page.
Sources of Non-Legal Assistance
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
National Teen Dating Violence Hotline: 1-866-331-9474
StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7 culturally appropriate, anonymous, and free service dedicated to serving Native Americans affected by domestic violence: 1-844-762-8483 (call or text) or strongheartshelpline.org (live chat). They offer many services for survivors of abuse at no cost.
1) Protections under Michigan law
Michigan Legal Help has information about Domestic Violence and Personal Protection Orders.
2) Protections afforded under the 12 Tribal Jurisdictions
(all the below know your rights pamphlets need to be updated in light of expanded juridiction under VAWA 2022)
Bay Mills Indian Community
PPO Forms
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
PPO Forms: Current forms can be obtained through the court clerks office or on this page.
GTB is in the process of updating their DV code and hope the code will be updated soon.
Hannahville Potawatomi Indian Community
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
PPO Forms: Current forms can be obtained through the court clerks office.
The Tribe is in the process of updating their PPO code.
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
PPO Forms: Current forms can be obtained through the court clerks office.
The tribal court is in the process of updating their court rules and updated forms are forthcoming.
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
The Tribe is working on an update to their PPO code and the forms will be updated within the next year or so.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Gun Lake Tribe
PPO Forms: The Tribal Court will provide MILS with their updated forms in the near future.
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians
Brochure: The NHBP Tribal Court will be providing a copy of a brochure created by the Tribe.
PPO Forms: Can be obtained through the tribal court or their DV advocate.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
PPO Forms: The Tribal Court will provide MILS with their updated forms in the near future.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
3) Military Protection Orders
WashingtonLawHelp.org provides a guide to military protection orders.
Additional Information
Prof. Kirsten Carlson, Norika Kida Betti, & Hon. Cameron Fraser, Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence in Indian Country: A Look at the Tools Afforded under the Federal Violence Against Women Act and the Current Landscape in Michigan, Michigan Family Law Journal (February 2020).
The Tribal Law and Policy Institute has information on VAWA and tribal criminal jurisdiction.
Uniting Three Fires Against Violence has additional resources available for Michigan Tribes.
WashingtonLawHelp provides more information on VAWA.
*The files linked below do not fully comply with all applicable guidelines for accessible digital documents. For alternative formats, contact us at 231-947-0122 or probono@mils3.org.