Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Provide legal guidance and advice to Navajo Board of Election Supervisors and Navajo Election Administration, Navajo Nation Council, standing Committees involving various areas of law, such as Title 11 Election Code and other codes as the need requires. Analyzes legal issues and advised accordingly, drafts legal pleadings, briefs, memoranda, resolutions and correspondence in representing the Nation, pursues negotiations to settle disputes. Review past court, Office of Hearing & Appeals, Ethics and Rule Office rulings. Interviews and prepares witnesses for testimonial court hearings; prepares court cases by drafting complaints, order to show cause, preliminary motions, indictments, briefs and supporting affidavits; all written work is thoroughly reviewed by a supervising attorney; makes court related appearances on behalf of the Nation.

SCOTUS Denies Cert in Wolfchild

November 7, 2016Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is today’s order list.

Cert stage briefs here.

Indian Country Grassroots Statement on Standing Rock

November 7, 2016November 7, 2016Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

STATEMENT IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX

November 3, 2016

Lands and waters, in our deeply held way of life, are not mere resources nor are they boundaried areas to be owned. They are the foundation of all relationships. Relationships, in a sense deeper than commonly understood, is the foundation of peace, happiness, law and order. Land, waters and human beings are mutual stewards. The tragic consequences of contamination to rivers and oceans has been repeatedly demonstrated by the mining at Black Mesa and Tar Creek, and by the Exxon Valdez and BP oil spills.

The Dakota Access Pipeline is now almost upon the Missouri River despite renewed calls from within the federal government itself for a stop until the environmental impact is formally assessed. Such calls were in existence since spring but were nevertheless ignored by the agencies responsible for such assessments. Instead, the pipeline was “fast tracked.”

The Pipeline directly threatens the Missouri River, which is the source of life for the Standing Rock Sioux. It is understood that the pipeline will carry one million gallons of crude oil an hour, and that any leak that is not quickly stopped will cause irrevocable environmental damage. There are news reports of nearly 300 oil pipeline spills in North Dakota in less than two years in remote areas where leaks are not readily known. Leaks are inevitable. Therefore, indigenous Americans from numerous tribes have gathered in protest to save the source of life; to save the Standing Rock Sioux people.

The gathered protesters are not merely scattered activists; they are representatives of their Indigenous Nations who have all endorsed the request of the People of the Missouri River for stoppage in order to dialog with the Nations. They are also representatives of the American people. They stand together asking that the laws of the United States be followed and honored – the laws establishing a duty to act on behalf of all Americans in managing our natural resources. We must all stand together to protect our limited and irreplaceable waters.

Indian Country Grassroots Support