Third Branch eNews

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Senior Staff Attorney Julie Derwinski has helped develop a new online resource to support Tribal Nations as they consider how artificial intelligence may be used within their governments, courts, schools, and other institutions.

The Tribal AI Governance Resource Hub provides practical, sovereignty-centered information for Tribal leaders, tribal courts, educators, and policymakers navigating artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Its resources address questions involving consent, oversight, data stewardship, cultural knowledge, and decision-making.

The hub is organized around two broad areas: learning about AI and protecting tribal data and sovereignty. It includes background information, governance frameworks, policy examples, implementation guidance, and other materials intended to help Tribal Nations evaluate AI systems before they are adopted or deployed.

Derwinski contributed to the project as a fellow with Emergence Circle, a national fellowship program that brings together participants from law, technology, education, public policy, and Tribal communities to develop projects addressing emerging challenges.

The theme of the 2026 fellowship was “Seven Generations Thinking & AI,” which encouraged participants to consider how decisions involving technology may affect communities well into the future. The three-month program began with an in-person institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed by collaborative project work in small teams.

“AI is arriving in courtrooms, government offices, schools, and health systems whether we are ready or not,” Derwinski said. “Tribal Nations, as sovereigns, deserve resources that let them adopt these tools on their own terms, consistent with their own laws and values. It has been a privilege to contribute to that work.”

For Tribal Nations, decisions about AI involve questions that extend beyond efficiency or technical performance. Tribal governments exercise sovereign authority over their institutions and data, but their perspectives and legal authority have often received limited attention in broader discussions about AI policy.

AI systems trained on large collections of publicly available information may also raise concerns about the use of Tribal data and cultural knowledge without permission. Other potential risks include inaccurate or incomplete depictions of Native cultures, languages, histories, and traditions.

The resource hub is intended to help Tribal Nations identify and address those concerns while also considering potential uses for AI, including streamlining administrative work, improving access to information, and expanding government and community services.

Derwinski’s participation in the fellowship complements the Wisconsin Court System’s work to promote responsible technology use and strengthen relationships between state and tribal courts.

The State-Tribal Justice Forum works to promote and sustain communication, education, and cooperation among Wisconsin’s tribal and state court systems. Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations, several of which operate their own tribal courts or other forums for resolving disputes.

The AI Governance Toolkit is intended to serve as a living resource that can grow alongside community needs and technological change. More information about Emergence Circle and its fellowship projects is available at joinemergence.org.