How a Tribal Nation Transformed Evidence Sharing and Built a Sovereign-First Model for Collaboration
When fragmented systems stand in the way of protecting children and supporting families, something has to change. That was the reality for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Ahni Family Justice Center. With investigations spread across vast distances, multiple jurisdictions, and countless agencies, collaboration was difficult — and victims risked falling through the cracks.
In our Tech Trailblazing webinar, Program Director and MDT Coordinator Kari Hurst shared how the Choctaw Nation overcame these challenges by embracing technology, partnerships, and a sovereignty-first approach.
Inside the Conversation
Rather than walking through slides, Kari told the story of what it took to reimagine evidence sharing and build a true ecosystem of collaboration. A few themes stood out:
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From endless drives to instant access: Before technology, investigators spent hours ferrying forensic interviews and reports across the state. Today, sharing is nearly real-time.
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Collaboration without compromise: Multiple jurisdictions — tribal, state, and federal — all needed to work together. The Choctaw Nation’s model respects sovereignty while making evidence sharing simple and secure.
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More than tech — a safe space: The Family Justice Center was designed as a calming, supportive environment for children, families, and frontline professionals. From interview rooms to therapy spaces, every detail was intentional.
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Lessons others can adapt: Kari shared what made this approach successful for the Choctaw Nation and offered candid advice for other communities considering a similar path.
Why Watch the Webinar
Those are just glimpses of the conversation. The full webinar dives deeper into:
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How Kari and her team made the leap from siloed systems to a centralized ecosystem.
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The role of funding and partnerships in bringing the Family Justice Center to life.
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What surprised her most about the transition — and what she’d do differently.
If you’re exploring how to strengthen collaboration, respect sovereignty, or modernize evidence sharing, this is a story you won’t want to miss.
