The Alaska Department of Law launched a new Tribal Relations Webpage to enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination between the Department and Alaska Native communities, tribes, and corporations. The webpage is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen communication with Alaska Native communities.
In 2024, two Tribal Liaison positions were established, one each in the Civil and Criminal Divisions.
Sharla Mylar is the Civil Division’s Tribal Liaison, and Anne Bruno is the Criminal Division’s Tribal Liaison.
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor said at the Alaska Department of Law that they are trying to improve communications and collaborations on all subjects, whether they’re on the same side of the issue or opposing sides, and trying to understand one another better. “It’s all about communication.”
The Civil Division is collaborating with tribes on a new Education Compact to create tribally led public schools and the ongoing Child Welfare Compact. Other opportunities for partnership this year have included amicus briefs on issues of nationwide and statewide importance that especially impact Alaska Native communities.
The Criminal Division has been participating in tribal community meetings and presenting at tribal justice trainings. They are establishing Civil Diversion Agreements with several tribal courts to address misdemeanor cases arising in their communities and increasing coordination between state, federal, and tribal partners to help further address the cases of Missing, Murdered, and Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) statewide. Bruno has recently traveled to Shungnak, Mountain Village, Tanacross, Klawock, and other communities.
Attorney General Taylor has personally met with several tribal leaders and engaged in panel discussions around the state. They continue to seek out additional areas of collaboration and look forward to increased and improved communications with Alaska Native entities.
The website lists resources, including Civil Diversion Agreements, State Tribal Compacts, and contact resources for MMIP, Missing Murdered Indigenous Peoples. The Department of Law can also provide information sessions on additional topics on request by tribal governments.
For more information on the new Tribal Relations Webpage visit law.alaska.gov.