Consent Decree in Navajo Nation Recovery for Hazardous Substances at Abandoned Uranium Mines

Here are documents in the matter of Navajo Nation v. Cyprus Amax Minerals Company et al, 17-cv-00140 (D. Ariz. May 22, 2017):

Here are the documents in the related matter of United States v. Cyprus Amax Minerals Company et al, 17-cv-08007 (D. Ariz. May 22, 2017):

Link: Previously posted materials

DOI Consultation Notice on DOI Reorganization

Download(PDF): Tribal Listening Sessions on E.O. 13871: Reorganization of the Executive Branch

Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Michael S. Black, invites Tribal leaders to attend one of the listed listening sessions to provide input on improving “efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability” at the Department of the Interior.

DATES

Pipeline to Law Initiative: 5-Day Workshop in Seattle June 14-18

Download(PDF): Flyer

Application and additional information available at: law.asu.edu/pipelinetolaw

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Bora Lasking Faculty of Law at Lakehead University

(2) Limited Term Faculty, Ontario, CA. Term of 10 months to three years, dependent on qualifications and experience. The appointment(s) will commence August 1, 2017 at an academic rank commensurate with the qualifications of the successful candidate. Review of the applications will begin May 24, 2017 and will continue until the position(s) are filled.

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Alternate Judge (Pro Tem)/Appellate Court Judge, Mescalero, NM. Please submit an application, cover letter, resume and 3-5 page writing sample for employment to the Human Resources Department located at the Tribal Offices. Call 575-464-9273 for more information.

Public Defender. Shall work independently on all matters relating to the defense of any individual appearing before court.  The Public Defender shall be under the administrative supervision of the Chief Judge for budgetary and employee matters.

Frye Law Firm

Associate Attorney, Albuquerque, NM. The Frye Law Firm is seeking a seasoned associate attorney. We are a small firm in Albuquerque,New Mexico that focuses on Indian law. Three or more years’ experience in litigation, business development, and/or governmental law is preferred. The firm principally provides legal counsel and representation to Indian tribes, tribal business entities, and other tribal organizations, including schools and hospitals. The firm is an equal opportunity employer. A demonstrated history of providing high quality legal services and extraordinary accomplishments is required. To apply,please submit: (1) a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) a resumé, (3) three writing samples, (4) a list of three references, and (5) a law school transcript, to 10400 Academy Rd. NE, Suite 310, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111. For additional information about the firm, please visit our website at http://www.fryelaw.us.

Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Assistant Prosecutor, Rosebud, S.D. Those interested must fill out an Employment Application, a background check form entitled “Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions,” and a form called “Applicant Screening Questionnaire Indian Child Protection requirements” found at https://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/employment-listings.

Michigan Indian Legal Services

Staff Attorney, Tribal offices in southwest MI. The ideal applicant will be licensed to practice law in Michigan or eligible to be admitted by waiver and have three to five years relevant experience.

 

Press Release: Blackfeet Nation Ratifies Water Compact

It took 35 years for the Blackfeet Nation to control its own water

Terri Hansen • May 10, 2017

In what the Blackfeet Nation is calling their most important development in a century, a majority of tribal members approved the Blackfeet Water Compact and Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act with Montana and the federal government, by a vote of 1,894 to 631.

Harry Barnes, Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, called it a “historic day for the Blackfeet people,” and well worth the time that Blackfeet staff and leaders had put into the effort the past four decades.

“My faith in the wisdom of the people’s vote has come to reality,” he said in a statement.

The history of the struggle between the tribes in Montana, and the State of Montana, over water rights began in the 1970s, when the federal government filed court water rights cases on behalf of all Montana tribes.

Montana filed competing water rights cases in state court. The U.S. and the tribes challenged Montana’s assertion that it had jurisdiction over Indian water rights on the reservation. What ensued was a history of court battles, meetings and negotiations that eventually led to the compact agreed to by Montana and the federal government. The last step was an April 20 vote by the Blackfeet membership.

The compact confirms the Tribe’s water quantity and rights, the Tribe’s jurisdiction and its authority to manage those rights on the reservation. Montana’s legislature ratified it in 2009, Congress approved the bill, and it was signed by President Barack Obama in January 2017.

The compact provides $422 million in federal funding for water-related projects on the reservation. Montana contributed an additional $49 million. The money will become available to the Tribe over a number of years.

“The funding will pay for such projects as installing municipal water systems to all communities on the reservation,” Jerry Lunak, the Blackfeet Water Resources Director told Indian Country Media Network. “We expect upgrades to existing irrigation systems on the reservation, and cost sharing for tribal members and others to upgrade irrigation on tribal and allotted lands.”

The main community on the Blackfeet Reservation is Browning, Montana. It happens to be the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park, with its incredible landscapes, alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes and the glaciated mountain range—plus hordes of visitors. The park had about three million visitors last year, and although Browning hosts just one of four entrances, this presents opportunity for the Blackfeet Nation.

In a bid to attract those tourists to Blackfeet country, another project is slated to further develop and upgrade several campgrounds on the reservation. The settlement will also provide funding to upgrade their recreational lakes and improve their fisheries.

These projects mean jobs and benefits for tribal members on the rural reservation.

“The benefits of the water compact will be seen for generations to come,” Barnes said.

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Congressional Advocate on Native American Policy, Washington, D.C. This is a 27-month professional fellowship that begins in October 2017. Application deadline is June 1, 2017.

Open Society Foundations

Leadership in Government Fellowship. Founded to support former senior-level government staff in the United States and its territories who have recently left public service and have played a significant role in advancing social change from within government in the United States and its territories at the local, state, or federal levels.

Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians

Summer Law Clerks, Harbor Springs, MI. LTBB Tribal Court is seeking two unpaid summer law clerks funded through your school or other external sources. Harbor Springs is a resort community on the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan. The Tribal Court is a court of general jurisdiction hearing cases including, but not limited to: criminal, civil, drug court, domestic violence, eviction and children’s cases. The Tribal Court is looking for applications from students interested in working on a huge variety of legal issues. No prior Indian law classes are required, but a genuine interest in Indian law and strong legal research and writing skills are necessary. The following are examples of projects and work to be done by LTBB’s summer clerks:

-Participating on the Drug Court Team,
-Researching Domestic Violence programs that can be integrated into the Tribal Court;
-Research and writing for the Tribal Court;
-Research and writing for the Appellate Court;
-Reviewing novel procedural and constitutional issues;
-Assessing, reviewing, and writing Court Rules and Procedures;
-Working with other units of Tribal Government;
-Working with the Court on establishing special protocol for juvenile cases;
-Working on Indian Child Welfare matters and cases.

Due to the significant cultural events and activities occurring on the reservation the Tribal Court allows time for and encourages our summer clerks to be involved in Tribal functions, events, and activities, as well as activities in the outlying community. Our clerks attend sacred fires and feasts, learn how to cut sweet grass and birch bark and participate in a variety of traditional activities. We assist students in locating appropriate and affordable summer housing. We are a family-friendly employer. Please email cover letters and resumes to Yvonne Brown at ybrown@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov and state your GPA in your cover letter.  We will request transcripts and writing samples for people we are interested in interviewing.

Rothstein Law Firm

Indian Law Associate, Tempe, AZ. Rothstein Donatelli is accepting applications for an Indian law associate position in its Tempe, Arizona office. The position is for an attorney with a minimum of 2 years of Indian law or general legal experience. Candidates should possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Rothstein Donatelli, with offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM and Tempe, AZ, focuses its practice on federal Indian law, civil rights, white collar criminal defense, and personal injury. Rothstein Donatelli is committed to advancing the sovereign rights of Native American tribes. Please send a cover letter, resume, writing samples and three professional references to Joseph Meserve, Executive Director, P.O. Box 8180, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87504-8180. E-mail responses may be submitted to jmeserve@rothsteinlaw.com. http://www.rothsteinlaw.com

Ho-Chunk Nation

Legislative Attorney, Black River Falls, WI. Works directly with the Nation’s Legislature to assist in drafting tribal laws and resolutions, while also generally providing guidance and advice to the Legislature on issues of Ho-Chunk, Federal, and State law.  This could cover a broad range of issues, including tax, finance, business, gaming, criminal law, jurisdiction, constitutional interpretation, litigation, family law, housing, real estate, employment, environmental, and leasing.  Attorneys for the Nation may also be called upon to advocate for the Nation in judicial, administrative, or political settings.  This position may require some travel as well. The tribe is organized under a Constitution that includes four Branches of government, including the General Council, Legislature, President and Judiciary.  The Legislature’s legal needs are served by the Legislative Counsel and three Legislative Attorneys (who are supervised by the Legislative Counsel).

The Legislature seeks a candidate with a law degree from an accredited law school, with zero to five years of experience, who is (or will become) a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.  The Ho-Chunk Nation provides a competitive salary with benefits.  See attached job description. Interested persons can send a cover letter and resume to the following: Michael Murphy, Legislative Counsel, Ho-Chunk Nation, P.O. Box 667, Black River Falls, WI 54615.

National American Indian Housing Council

Deputy Director, Washington, D.C. This high-level position serves as a senior leader on organizational operations and reports directly to the Executive Director. The position directs all aspects of the organization’s administrative services and operations in support of NAIHC. This position supervises administrative personnel and coordinates departmental administrative personnel for general clerical, financial and administrative support activities; assures that good customer service is provided from support staff through proper training and mentoring; works closely with the Executive Director for planning, budgeting, member services, management and grant management. The Deputy Director is responsible for procurement and contracting services and for the development, implementation and monitoring of written policies governing NAIHC. The Deputy Director works closely with the Executive Director to ensure that the program, events and financial objectives of NAIHC’s strategic plan are met. This position provides support in the areas of grant writing, program compliance, statistical analysis, project/program development, technical assistance, and facilitates collection and analysis of membership data including periodic membership needs assessment.

Minimum candidate qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or related field; Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profits, including experience in non-profit finance, internal controls, policy, human resource management, program development, and event planning. Must possess excellent supervisory and planning skills; strong written and oral communication skills. Candidates should send their resume and cover letter to careers@naihc.net. Please place “Deputy Director” in the subject line. For more information on NAIHC visit http://www.naihc.net. Position will be open until filled.

Register Now for Upcoming Free Webinar on Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts

Download(PDF): Announcement

Link: Registration

NCJFCJ’s Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts: Key Components & Standards is Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 3PM ET.

Line 5 Water Protectors Symposium Friday, May 19th, 2017

Download(PDF): Flyer

For Immediate Release:
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to Host
‘Line 5 Water Protectors Symposium’ on May 19th

April 19, 2017

Peshawbestown, MI- The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will be hosting a ‘Line 5 Water Protectors Symposium’ on May 19th at the Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown, MI. The event will bring together a number of Tribal Leaders, First Nation Chiefs, State Legislators, nonprofits, youth and business leaders who have been fighting the 64-year-old Great Lakes oil pipeline in recent years. The event is intended to spark public action; attendees will receive a calendar of upcoming Line 5 events and a list of recommended actions. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and the program will begin at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to all.

Line 5 moves 23 million gallons of crude oil through twin pipelines that sits on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac for 4.5 miles. University of Michigan scientists have called the Straits “the worst possible place for an oil spill”. Public calls for the decommissioning of the pipeline have been increasing since 2010 when Enbridge, the same company that operates Line 5, allowed the second-largest inland oil spill in US history from their Line 6b in the Kalamazoo River in 2010. The Grand Traverse Band’s Tribal Council passed a resolution calling on the State of Michigan to decommission Line 5 in 2015.

Michigan’s Pipeline Safety Advisory Board will be releasing its long awaited “Alternatives Analysis” and “Risk Analysis” reports in June, which the State will use as a guide to take action on the pipeline. In 2015, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said that the pipeline’s “days are numbered” and that the State probably would not allow its construction were approval sought today.

What: Line 5 Water Protectors Symposium, hosted by the Grand Traverse Band
When: Friday, May 19th, Doors at 5:30, Program starts at 6:30
Where: Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom, 2521 N West Bay Shore Dr, Peshawbestown, MI
Cost: Free, Open to All
Contact: Desmond Berry, Department Manager, Grand Traverse Band Natural Resources Department 231-534-7363

Agenda

Friday, May 19, 2017
Leelanau Sands Casino – Showroom
5:30-6:30 p.m. Doors Open for Local Environmental Group Information Booth Displays
6:35 p.m. Program begins:

– Welcome and Introductions by GTB Tribal Chairman Thurlow “Sam” McClellan
– Water Ceremony- Anishinabek Kwewok
– Youth Speaker(s) Kristen Berry, Sonny Haworth and Annie Lively
– First Nation Representative- Canada
– Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairman, Aaron Payment
– Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe Tribal Chairman, Robert Blanchard
– Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians Tribal Councilor, Percy Bird
– Michigan State Senator, Rick Jones (R-24th District)
– Michigan State Representative, Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor)
– Great Lakes Business Network, Jim Lively & Workshop Brewing Company Owner, Pete Kirkwood
– Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Eric Keller
– Michigan Environmental Council, Kate Madigan
– Water Protectors Legal Collective, Holly T. Bird
– Executive Director FLOW, Liz Kirkwood
– Executive Director Spark the Change, Kevin Gilbert
– Michigan Canoe Cold Water Rescue Team Founder, Lee Sprague

Friday Job Announcements

Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Guardian Ad Litem. Soliciting contractual-service proposals for Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to work in the Family Healing to Wellness Court (FHTWC). The contractual services will start upon completion of contract negotiations and end on 9/30/19. This contractual position is paid from Grant Number #4030 (Grant) from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Squaxin Island Tribe

Staff Attorney (previously posted 4/7/17). The Legal Department advises and represents the Squaxin Island Tribe in federal, Tribal and state courts and in administrative proceedings. The work environment is collegial, collaborative and dynamic, and with an emphasis on creative problem-solving. We seek qualified individuals with top-notch skills. UPDATE: The position will remain open until filled.

Interior Secretary Meets With Ute Indian Tribe Leaders

 

Statement from the Department:

Today Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke met with leaders of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray. The Tribal leaders and the Secretary discussed several issues including energy development, the nature of sovereignty, public lands, and the Bears Ears National Monument. The meeting was the first of many conversations. The Secretary and the Tribal leaders committed to maintaining an ongoing open and positive dialogue.