Carol Jackson is a proud member and Magistrate of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Her educational background consist of legal and Business Administration, Mid-Michigan Community College and Bay Mills Community College of Michigan and the Michigan Judicial Institute. She has also received numerous certifications and trainings that has assisted with the responsibilities needed for court operations and the Judicial. The various committees including the implementation of the National Domestic Violence and Personal Protection laws/orders from 1996-2003 that she was requested by the United States Attorney General Janet Reno’s office. Carol oversaw and implemented the developed of the Saginaw Chippewa Family Violence Code and The Tribal Action Plan (TAP) and is active with Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) to name a few.
Carol currently is on the Michigan Access to Justice Committee, Board Member of the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP), Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS), United Three Fires (VAWA), the Michigan Indian Judges Association (MIJA), along with the Tribal/State/ Federal/Judicial forum. Carol was recently appointed by the Governor of Michigan to participate on the Juvenile Justice task force.
As the Tribal Court provides a neutral forum for the resolution that arise within the six townships of the exterior boundaries of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. Carol implemented the jurisdictional boundaries signage for the Isabella County Reservation in 1997-1998. She has presided over cases which include civil, criminal, child welfare, juvenile, traffic matters, and served as the Clerk of the Court. She also assisted in the development of additional court programs, court upgrades and grant funding throughout the years within the tribal court which included in 2016 to current, the establishment of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe- Tribal Court Healing to Wellness, Family Healing to Wellness and Juvenile Healing to Wellness Courts. In 2018 Carol assisted in the development and the implementation of the Statewide Tribal Opioid Summit held yearly and currently chairs, along with hosting the Expungement Clinic for Tribal members and descendants.
As a mother of two beautiful daughters who unexpectedly passed away due to over-prescribing of Opioids that left 6 grandchildren without their mothers. Her personal and professional experiences led her to become a strong advocate on the overall opioid pandemic crises.