BOZEMAN (AP) -- Gov. Brian Schweitzer has asked corrections officials to explore the idea of having the state's tribes oversee their own justice system for some crimes.

Such programs already exist in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and they've markedly improved corrections systems in both Canadian provinces, Schweitzer told the Montana Correctional Association at a meeting here Wednesday.

Schweitzer said Montana needs ''a system that is more culturally appropriate for corrections in Indian country." he said Corrections officials met with Blackfoot Nation representatives in Lethbridge, Alberta on Tuesday to learn about the system they use in Canada. Under it, some offenders are sent to ''healing circles" composed of tribal elders who sentence them to community service instead of going to court.

When American Indians do end up in court, there are native court workers to help them understand the legal process and to help the court understand the socio-economic factors on the reservation.

Schweitzer said he'd also like to see prerelease centers on the reservations tailored to the cultural needs in those areas.

''We're going try to find a hybrid between the (American Indian and European) cultures that is more successful than the models we're using today," he said.

The Blackfoot system does not handle murder or drunken driving cases, or any crime that could result in more than two years in prison, said Jim Mason, Native American liaison for the state Corrections Department.

He said the victim has to agree to have the case heard before a healing circle and the offender must admit guilt. Offenders can be sentenced to community service appropriate to the crime.

------ Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com