Author: Monica Williamson

University of Arizona Law Clinic Director, Student to Testify before Organization of American States

Monica Williamson

As the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) gathered for public hearings this week, two representatives from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law’s Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) program will were on hand to provide testimony.

Seanna Howard, director of the International Human Rights Advocacy Workshop and a professor of practice; and Michelle Cook, Doctor of Juridical Science candidate,  testified before the IACHR in a hearing on May 9 in Kingston, Jamaica about the criminalization of indigenous resistance to extractive industries in the United States.

Read the full article.

View a webcast and hearing details on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights website.

Friday Job Announcements

Monica Williamson

Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an open Indian law or leadership job, please send the following to indigenous@law.msu.edu:

  1. In the email body, a typed brief description of the position which includes position title, location, main duties, and closing date;
  2. An attached PDF job announcement.

 

Washington Indian Gaming Association

Deputy Director, Olympia, WA. The major area that the Deputy Director is involved in includes supporting the government to government relationship that tribes have with the state of Washington. For more information please see the job description.

University of Arkansas

Program Officer, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, Fayetteville, AR. The Program Officer is responsible for participating in the comprehensive development, execution, and maintenance of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s (IFAI) core work: developing strategies and solutions to empower Tribal governments and Native food producers in food and agriculture food system development. For more information please visit the link. Applications close May 6, 2019.

EarthJustice

Managing Attorney, Northeast Office, New York, NY. Provide litigation leadership by working collaboratively with attorneys to maximize the quality and impact of the office’s litigation. Manage, develop, and implement regional strategies that align with organization-wide strategic plans, core values, priorities, and other administrative policies and guidance. Oversee overall operations of the office, including budgets and facilities.  For more information please see the job description. Closing date of application is May 17th, 2019. Application email: applications@gumbspartners.com.

Dakota Plains Legal Services

Managing Attorney, Eagle Butte, SD. The Eagle Butte office serves Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota and Dewey, Haakon, Potter and Ziebach counties in South Dakota. For more information please see the job description.

Managing Attorney, Pine Ridge, SD. The Pine Ridge office serves the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and Oglala Lakota, Jackson and Bennett counties in South Dakota. For more information please see the job description.

Staff Attorney, Mission, SD. The Mission office serves the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation and Gregory, Jones, Mellette, Todd and Tripp counties in South Dakota. For more information please see the job description.

Staff Attorney, Sioux Falls, SD. The  Sioux Falls office serves primarily Native Americans in the vicinity of Sioux Falls and in the eastern half of South Dakota. This job requires at least two days of travel every week. For more information please see the job description.

Rosette, LLP

Transactional Attorney, Sacramento, CA. This position includes contract review and drafting, secured financing transactions, and in-house counsel work advising clients on material contracts. The firm specializes in representing federally recognized Indian tribes and their businesses. For more information please see the job description.

Litigation Attorney, Sacramento, CA. This position includes handling complex litigation in tribal, state and/or federal courts. The firm specializes in representing federally recognized Indian Tribes and their governmental agencies. For more information please see the job description.

National Indian Gaming Commission

Training Coordinator, Washington, DC. This position is in the Training Program under the supervision of the Training Manager within the Division of Compliance under the Office of the Chief of Staff and is responsible for collecting, organizing, monitoring, and distributing information related to training projects and initiatives. Application closes May 16, 2019. Please see the job description for more information.

Pueblo of Laguna

Attorney, Laguna, NM. Under the direct administrative supervision of the Government Affairs Director, serves as an in-house legal advisor, representative, and counselor. Ensures the adherence to applicable laws to protect and enhance tribal sovereignty, to avoid or prevent expensive legal disputes and litigation, and to protect the legal interests of the Pueblo government. For more information please see the job description. Note: the announcement states the closing date as May 3, but it will be extended for at least a couple of more weeks.

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Law Clerk PT, Onamia, MN. Seeking 2nd or 3rd year law students who may be interested in working in the field of federal Indian Law and tribal law. The Law Clerk is responsible for assisting the Tribal Court judiciary with legal research, drafting of court decisions and special court development projects.  For more information please see the description.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians

Tribal Attorney, Belcourt, ND. Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Tribal Attorney – represents the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in government matters, child protection matters, policy and law development. The position is also responsible for performing the duties of the Prosecutor’s Office related to child welfare and related cases in the absence of the Tribal Prosecutor. this position is open until filled. For more information please see the job description.

Tribal Attorney II, Belcourt, ND. Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Tribal Attorney – represents the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in government matters, child protection matters, policy and law development. The position is also responsible for performing the duties of the Prosecutor’s Office related to child welfare and related cases in the absence of the Tribal Prosecutor. This position is open until filled. For more information please see the job description.

Ryerson University

Founding Dean, Toronto, ON. Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and part of Ryerson’s senior administration, the Founding Dean, Faculty of Law will be responsible for all academic, administrative, and external activities of Ontario’s newest law school. For more information please see the job description.

 

See posts from April 26, 2019.

Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Directors Seek Public Comment on Social Studies Standards

Monica Williamson

PUBLIC COMMENT IS OPEN FROM: APRIL 10, 2019-MAY 9, 2019

Announcement/guidance form here.

To comment online, use the online Social Studies Standard Survey. Scroll to the second paragraph and click “online survey.” For more information and suggestions, see pages 3-4 of the announcement.

Upcoming Listen & Learn Meetings

To comment in person, attend a meeting below and fill out a form requesting to speak. For more information, see page 2 of the announcement.

Lansing May 2 6:00-8:00pm today!
Michigan Historical Center and Library, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48915

Grand Rapids May 6 6:00-8:00pm
Kent Intermediate School District
2930 Knapp Road
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Gaylord May 7 6:00-8:00pm
University Center Gaylord
80 Livingston Blvd.
Gaylord, MI 49735

Sault Ste. Marie May 8 6:00-8:00pm
Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District
315 Armory Place
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Escanaba May 9 6:00-8:00pm
Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District
2525 3rd Avenue S.
Escanaba, MI 49829

Pre-Law Workshop in Los Angeles

Monica Williamson

Apply to the FREE Native Pre-Law Workshop co-hosted by California Indian Law Association and the National Native American Bar Association, June 7-8, 2019 in Los Angeles. Students who complete the workshop will receive an LSAT prep course scholarship, be paired with an attorney mentor, and will be welcomed into the California Indian Law community by receiving complementary registration to the 19th Annual California Indian Law Conference October 3-4, 2019 at Graton Resort and Casino.

Applications are due this Friday, May 3, 2019.

While this program is geared towards current undergraduates, others who are thinking of applying to law school are welcome to apply.

Friday Job Announcements

Monica Williamson

Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an open Indian law or leadership job, please send the following to indigenous@law.msu.edu:

  1. A typed brief description of the position which includes position title, location, main duties, and closing date;
  2. An attached PDF job announcement.

National Indian Health Board

Director of Congressional Relations, Washington D.C. – Capital Hill. Main responsibilities include advancing Tribal sovereignty and the Federal Government’s Trust Responsibility to Tribes for health care. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until a qualified candidate is secured. Send your application in one PDF to:  jobs@nihb.org. Please see the description for more information and to apply.

Sitka Tribe of Alaska

The Legal Director/Realty Officer, Sitka, AK. This position is responsible for serving as the Legal Director of the Legal Department and providing services as the Realty Officer. This position supervises legal staff, oversees the budget, and works with the Tribal Attorney on all legal issues the Tribe is involved in with the eventual goal of being the Tribal Attorney.  Please see the job description for more information.

Yavapai-Apache Nation

Associate Justice of the Appellate Court, Camp Verde, AZ. This position serves on a three-justice panel that hears appeals from the trial courts, will hear cases as part of the panel, and will write opinions as may be assigned by the Chief Justice. For more information please see the job description. Application closes May 10, 2019.

Prosecutor II, Camp Verde, AZ.  This position investigates, evaluates and prosecutes juveniles and adults accused of violating the criminal laws of the Yavapai-Apache Nation. The Prosecutor also represents the Nation in dependency and neglect proceedings, including Indian Child Welfare proceedings, before tribal and state courts. For more information please see the job description. Application closes May 10, 2019.

Lummi Indian Business Council

Staff Attorney I, Office of the Reservation Attorney, Bellingham, WA. Duties may include representing the Nation primarily in state court proceedings involving Lummi children and youth, prosecution, and other staff attorney duties as assigned. Application closes May 8, 2019. For more information please see the job description.

The Native American Heritage Commission

RFP. Soliciting proposals for a qualified Contractor to provide oversight of the CalNAGPRA implementation activates and to draft CalNAGPRA implementation plan, regulations, and a current state report. The Native American Heritage Commission invites qualified candidates to review and respond to this Request for Proposal (RFP) – Secondary – RFP 2018-19 California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA). The RFP documents are accessed through CaleProcure as Event ID: 0000012549.

 

Navajo Nation Department of Justice

Summer Law Clerk, Navajo Nation, AZ. Seeking energetic and motivated candidates for multiple funded summer law clerk positions in the following areas of practice: Natural Resources, Tax and Finance, Litigation, Employment, and more. For more information please see the position description. Complete application packets must be received no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Time on May 31, 2019.

RFP, (2) ICWA Attorney, AZ. Seeking to contract with two attorneys licensed in the State of Arizona to represent the Navajo Nation in state child custody proceedings, commonly referred to as Indian Child Welfare Act (“ICWA”) cases. One attorney for the northern region of Arizona and one for the southern region. Proposal due Friday, May 17, 2019 at 5pm MT. For more information please see the proposal. Find the demographic form here.

Kalispel Tribe of Indians

Staff Attorney, Usk, WA. This position provides legal, general, and specific case management and assists the Senior Tribal Attorney, and other designated attorneys, with issues and activities concerning Tribal legal rights, obligations, and privileges with an emphasis in Health, Welfare, and Education issues including Indian Child Welfare and related issues.

Paralegal, Usk, WA. The paralegal will have a broad range of responsibilities including, but not limited to, managing various types of litigation (for example employment, contract and tort), assisting in the subpoena and discovery process, file and database management. For more information please see the job description.

Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP)

Associate General Counsel, Bethel, AK. This position is responsible for in-house counsel duties, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and advising departments in the area of human resource management, compliance, and risk management. The start date for this position is August 1, 2019. For more information please see the position description.

Midwest Environmental Advocates

Staff Attorney, Madison, WI.  Seeking an experienced attorney to further our community-based approach to lawyering which involves collaboration with organizational partners as well as providing technical and legal assistance to community-based organizations and coalitions. Application deadline is May 14, 2019. Find more details here or see the job description.

Spirit Lake Tribe

Guardian Ad Litem, Fort Totten, ND. Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care. Please see the job description for more information.

Victim Witness Coordinator, Fort Totten, ND. The Coordinator is responsible for managing, coordinating, monitoring and providing case assistance for Juvenile Court and Adult Criminal Court cases within the Spirit Lake Tribal Prosecutor(s) and Juvenile Presenting Attorney(s) Offices. For more information please see the position description.

Juvenile Court Public Defender, Fort Totten, ND. Seeking a qualified attorney to carry out, on a contractor basis, the duties of the Juvenile Court Public Defender for the Spirit Lake Tribal Court.  In addition to considering applications from individual attorneys, the Tribe is interested in and will consider proposals from law firms that would have one or more attorneys available to provide such services. For more information please see the position description.

EarthJustice

Associate Attorney, Bozeman, MT. Main responsibilities: Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda on issues relating to ongoing or potential litigation projects; Drafting motions, briefs and other pleadings; Preparing comments on proposed agency actions and environmental impact statements; Engaging with a variety of news and social media regarding our work; and more. The application is open until filled. Apply here and see the job description for more information.

DNA-People’s Legal Services, Inc.

• Managing Attorney, Public Defender, Keams Canyon, AZ
• Staff Attorney, Public Defender, Keams Canyon, AZ
• Managing Attorney (Civil), Keams Canyon, AZ
• Staff Attorney (Civil), Keams Canyon, AZ
• MLP Attorney, Tuba City, AZ
• Staff Attorney, Flagstaff, AZ
• (2) Staff Attorney, Farmington, NM
• MLP Managing Attorney, Farmington, NM
• Executive Assistant, Window Rock, AZ

Apply here or email Hresources@dnalegalservices.org. Address is: P.O. Box 765, Tuba City, AZ 86045, and business phone is: (928) 283-3206.

 

See posts from April 19, 2019.

 

 

 

Call for Proposals: Edweying Naabing // Looking at the Past and Present Symposium at MSU

Monica Williamson

Edweying Naabing // Looking at the Past and Present Symposium

Michigan State University

September 20-21, 2019

Proposals due May 30, 2019

PDF version here.

MSUTreatyComm2019_call_web

Marking the 200th commemoration of the Treaty of Saginaw, MSU’s American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program, Indigenous Law and Policy Center, and Native American Institute invite proposals for Edweying Naabing // Looking at the Past and Present Symposium.

All are welcome to submit proposals and can refer to the list of possible topics for presentation ideas.

Those interested should submit a 250-word proposal and 100-word biography to indigenous@law.msu.edu by May 30, 2019.

About the Symposium: The inaugural symposium addresses the history of the Treaty 1819 and its ongoing effects for Indigenous-settler relationships at Land-Grant institutions, such as MSU. More generally, this conference focuses on Indigenous histories, presence, and futures on Anishinaabewaki and across Turtle Island.

The event is free and open to the public. Youth are highly encouraged to attend, especially those interested in becoming familiar with opportunities at MSU.

Friday Job Announcements

Monica Williamson

Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an open Indian law or leadership job, please send the following to indigenous@law.msu.edu:

  1. A typed brief description of the position which includes position title, location, main duties, and closing date;
  2. An attached PDF job announcement.

 

Michigan Indian Legal Services

Attorney, Traverse City, MI. The position will have an emphasis on will drafting, simple estate planning, and handling probate issues in communities in northern Michigan and in the upper peninsula. Please see the job description for more information.

The Suquamish Tribe

Realty Officer, Office of Community Development, Suquamish, WA. The Realty Officer position is responsible for performing trust realty functions for the tribal government. The Realty Officer will also assist Tribal Council in the acquisition of fee properties and maintaining all tribal land records, not only trust records. Application closes April 26, 2019. Please see the job description.

South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center

New Mexico Tribal Liaison, Albuquerque, NM. The liaison will be responsible for working closely with partners from a variety of Tribes and inter-tribal organizations in New Mexico to develop and deliver trainings on climate adaptation and related topics, provide support to communities seeking or engaged in adaptation activities, and work to identify and reduce barriers to implementing Tribal adaptation activities. Please see the job description for more information.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Public Defender for Criminal Cases in the Tribal Court, soliciting contractual-service proposals for a Public Defender to represent criminal defendants in in the Tribal Court for three (3) years. The Attorney must be familiar with Tribal laws and State of Michigan laws governing criminal laws. Deadline for Submission is 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Public Defender for Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction (SDVCJ) Cases in the Tribal Court. SDVCJ recognizes and reaffirms the inherent sovereign authority of the Tribe to exercise criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians who violate personal protection orders or commit domestic violence crimes against Indian victims within the Tribe’s Indian County. Deadline for Submission is 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Little River Holdings, LLC

Assistant Director, Manistee, MI. Working under the direction of the Board of Directors, this position is responsible for learning all aspects of the Economic Development Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Assistant Director will develop and promote economic initiatives and provide services to support entrepreneurship. The Assistant Director will also contribute to strengthening the tribal economy, and advancing the broader economic and community development goals of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians as it aligns to the economic development strategy of the EDC. Application is open until filled. Please see the job description for more information.

Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson, & Perry LLP

Summer Associate, Washington, D.C. We are currently recruiting incoming 2L students for 2020 summer associate positions.   Interested applicants should contact Will Stephens, Partner at wstephens@sonosky.com (please also copy kwray@sonosky.com). Please send this information no later than Thursday, August 31, 2019.  More detail about the firm is available at www.sonosky.com. Please see the job description for more information.

Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

Attorney, Oakhurst, CA. The tribal attorney serves as an in-house legal advisor, representative, and counselor. Ensures the adherence to applicable laws to protect and enhance tribal sovereignty, to avoid or prevent expensive legal disputes and litigation, and to protect the legal interests of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians (PRCI) tribal government. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information. This position is open until filled. Please see the job description for more information.

Puyallup Tribe of Indians

Associate Judge, Tacoma, WA. Serves as hearing judge for the Puyallup Tribal Court in accordance with the tribal Judicial Administrative Code. The term of the Associate Judge shall be three (3) years from the date of appointment by the Tribal Council. A judge may be reappointed at the expiration of a term in the discretion of the Tribal Council. Application closes May 17, 2019. Please see the job description for more information.

Judicial Branch of the The Navajo Nation

Staff Attorney, Chinle Judicial District, Chinle AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Associate Attorney, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position provides a variety of legal advice, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as researching and recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

Court Solicitor, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ.  This position provides a variety of legal advice, counseling, research and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch; assists with judicial administrative functions, such as recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch; shall supervise and oversee all licensed attorneys, law clerk, hearing officers, supreme court clerk, and law clerk interns of the Judicial Branch.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

District Court Judge, Judicial District Court, Navajo Nation Wide. The District Court Judge is responsible in presiding over civil, criminal and family court cases; provides policy direction and guidance in the operation of the Judicial District.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position shall perform work of unusual difficulty, hear arguments, read briefs and conduct research necessary to pass judgment and issue rulings on cases brought before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

See posts from April 12, 2019.

Maurisa Bell, NNALSA 3L of the Year

Monica Williamson

 

Bell
National NALSA 3L of the Year Award recipient, Maurisa Bell (right).

Maurisa Bell grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Riverton, Wyoming. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and was also raised around her Northern Arapaho family. In 2015, she graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and completed the Pre-Law Summer Institute program during the summer of 2016. While in law school, Maurisa served as Vice President and Treasurer for the MSU-NALSA, an Area representative for National-NALSA, and volunteered as a student mentor for the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.

She spent her summers in Washington, D.C. working for the Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice; the National Indian Gaming Commission; and Dentons, US LLP in their Native American Law and Policy practice group. She is a dedicated and driven leader who, in just a few weeks, will graduate from the Michigan State University College of Law.

Maurisa will work for Dentons upon graduation, pursuing her passion in helping tribes and tribal communities.

Congratulations, Maurisa!