Indian Law Week
Weeklong event examines critical issues
in Indian Law and Indian Country
Missoula, MT, March 18, 2011 — Nationally-renowned leaders and educators in Indian Country will gather at the University of Montana School of Law on Monday, April 11, to Thursday, April 14, as part of the annual University of Montana, School of Law Indian Law Week, hosted by the University of Montana Native American Law Student Association (NALSA). In a weeklong series of events, Indian Law experts will examine critical legal issues affecting Indian Country in 2011. The speaker series is free and open to the public.
On Monday, April 11, at noon, Indian Law Week will kick off with an hour-long panel discussion “Expansion of Montana v. U.S: A 30-year Reflection.” The panel, which will feature University of Montana Law School Professor Raymond Cross and attorney Urban Bear Don’t Walk Sr., will examine the United States Supreme Court decision that significantly limited tribal jurisdiction, how the decision has been used and interpreted the past three decades, and how the decision continues to impact Indian law today.
On Tuesday, April 12 at noon, the panel, “Comparative Law in Indian Country,” will examine the different and unique laws that exist within individual American Indian Tribes in the state of Montana. This panel, which will feature Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Attorney John Harrison, University of Montana Law School Professor Elizabeth Kronk, and Crow Joint Lead Executive Counsel Heather Whiteman Runs Him, will examine what every Montanan should know when dealing with individual tribes; what every Montanan should know when doing business with individual tribes; and what every Montanan should know when entering tribal land.
On Wednesday, April 13, at noon, United States Attorney Michael Cotter will discuss the “Tribal Law and Order Act,” signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 29, 2010. The law has been touted as an important step forward by the federal government in addressing public safety challenges unique to tribal communities.
The Native American Law Student Association will host “An Evening with NALSA,” on Thursday, April 14. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Payne Family Native American Center on the University of Montana campus. This special event recognizes the work done throughout the past year by Native American Law Student Association members, instructors, and leaders in Indian Country. The Ray Cross Award recipient will also be announced at this event. Tickets are $10.
Contact:
Dennis Bear Don’t Walk, Club President
Native American Law Student Association – University of Montana School of Law
406-214-5294
dennis.beardontwalk@umontana.edu
Turtle Talk 