2.30.40 Maqa{si{ta{, Appointment, Powers, Limitations, Duties, Conduct.
(a) A sitting Tribal Court Judge shall appoint a Maqa{si{ta{ for every approved session of An’gim Tunuu. The individual selected as Maqa{si{ta{ must agree to serve under the direction of the St. Paul Island Tribal Court and work with the participants and invitees under the supervision of the Tribal Court.
(b) The individual selected to serve as Maqa{si{ta{ for any given session of An’gim Tunuu must be eighteen (18) years or older, must not be a sitting member of the Tribal Council, and must be knowledgeable of Unangan principles and values.
(c) Any duly appointed Tribal Court Judge may serve as a Maqa{si{ta{; provided, that such service is not in direct conflict with any active Tribal Court case over which that Judge is presiding.
(d) An appointment as Maqa{si{ta{ shall only be for the duration of the approved session of An’gim Tunuu, or related subsequent sessions; however, an individual serving as Maqa{si{ta{ may be appointed repeatedly, so long as that individual is willing to serve.
(e) Compensation for Maqa{si{ta{ service shall be set by the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Council and shall be the same for each Maqa{si{ta{ who serves.
(f) Maqa{si{ta{ shall have the power to use any reasonable means to obtain peaceful, cooperative, and voluntary resolution of a dispute subject to An’gim Tunuu. No force, violence, or the violation of rights secured under laws of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island will be permitted.
(g) Maqa{si{ta{ shall develop the rules governing each An’gim Tunuu session, with consideration of the needs of the participants and interested persons and the purpose of the session, and consistent with the principles of An’gim Tunuu and this chapter.
(h) Maqa{si{ta{ shall not have the authority to decide a disputed matter unless all parties to the dispute agree to such authority in writing.
(i) Maqa{si{ta{ services shall be consistent with Unangan principles and values and Maqa{si{ta{ shall strive to conduct sessions free of adversity, formal technicality, coercion, and force. The following principles should guide a Maqa{si{ta{’s conduct during An’gim Tunuu sessions:
(1) Maintain high standards of personal conduct, including honesty, integrity, and have respect for participants, interested persons, invitees, and the community;
(2) Commit to serving the best interests of those for whom the session is conducted and do not permit other interests, personal or otherwise, to interfere with the performance of Maqa{si{ta{ duties;
(3) Foster respect among the participants, interested parties, and invitees and ensure that everyone in the session displays dignity and civility toward one another;
(4) Ensure discussions are open and free of restraint;
(5) Do not impose personal beliefs, values, or preferences upon the participants;
(6) Seek to find common ground upon which to build resolution and restoration;
(7) Respect the privacy of the participants and invitees and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of the sessions; and
(8) Educate and counsel on Unangan traditions and culture during sessions. [Res. 2012-25; 2008 Code § 2.7.4]