The Tollowa Dee-ni Nation has opened a new Tribal court and much needed office space.
The completion of the new wing to the Nation’s headquarters at Mouth of the Smith River Road is a milestone in Tribal history. For years, the Nation’s Tribal Court operated in a building on non-trust land in Smith River that was too small and lacked adequate lobby and meeting space.
The new two-story Justice Center is approximately 8,000 square feet, located on Tribal Trust land and provides a safer and more secure venue for Tribal Court for the Tollowa Dee-ni Nation, Elk Valley Rancheria and Hoopa Valley tribe.
The facility was built using grant funds from the U.S. Dept. of Justice and Tribal discretionary dollars. The building is fully ADA accessible a large lobby, Law library, judge’s chamber and a large courtroom. It provides space for justice-related victim services and drug and alcohol counseling. The building was designed with safety in mind, ensuring the security of court staff absences citizens.
The addition nearly doubles the size of the main Tribal campus and serves as the permanent venue for Tribal Council meetings and business. It includes much needed office spaces, meeting and training rooms and a sub-station open 24 hours hours, seven days a week for local Tribal and non-Tribal law enforcement agencies.