J.W. v. R.J.

OPINION

EASTAUGH, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

The father and stepfather of a minor child are Alaska Natives who each seek custody of the child following her mother’s death. The superior court awarded joint legal custody to the contestants, primary physical custody to the stepfather, and visitation to the father. While the father’s appeal from that judgment was pending, the superior court modified the judgment and awarded physical and legal custody to the father. Because the child’s tribe was not given an opportunity to intervene and the initial judgment was not supported by fact findings satisfying…