Wenona T. Singel

Gov. Whitmer Attends State-Tribal Summit in Sault Ste. Marie, Appoints First Tribal Citizen Ever to Michigan Court of Appeals

December 6, 2022Wenona T. Singel

Michigan Executive Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 12/06/2022 04:04 PM EST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

December 6, 2022 

Gov. Whitmer Attends State-Tribal Summit in Sault Ste. Marie, Appoints First Tribal Citizen Ever to Michigan Court of Appeals

Governor meets leaders from every tribe to continue collaboration on shared priorities, makes historic appointment to second-highest court in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer attended the Tribal Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. She met with Tribal leaders to address shared priorities and continue an open dialogue between the State of Michigan and sovereign tribal governments. She also announced her appointment of Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Judge Maldonado will be the first Tribal citizen ever appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

“It was an honor to attend the Tribal Summit in the Sault,” said Governor Whitmer. “The State of Michigan and sovereign tribal nations must continue working together on our shared priorities and maintain an open, productive dialogue to get things done on the kitchen-table issues. I am committed to working alongside Tribal leaders to make a real difference in people’s lives and continue growing our economies. Our fortunes are linked, and we must collaborate to move our nations forward.”  

“We are pleased to host today’s summit between the state’s tribal communities and Gov.  Whitmer,” said Austin Lowes, vice chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. “It is fitting we hold this meeting in Sault Ste. Marie, a major gathering place for tribes and their leaders for hundreds of years. Each tribe had an opportunity to discuss individual issues with the governor and her staff, and we expressed support for continued meeting, expanded consultation on key matters and a higher profile for tribal matters during our general session with the governor.”

In Governor Whitmer’s first year in office, she signed Executive Directive 2019-17, which reaffirms and extends Michigan’s commitment to recognize the sovereignty and right of self-governance of Michigan’s federally-recognized tribes and orders each state department and agency to adhere to these principles. It’s also the first executive directive in Michigan history to require training on tribal-state relations for all state department employees who work on matters that have direct implications for tribes, and also required each department and agency to adopt and implement a tribal consultation policy. 

Governor Whitmer has shown a deep commitment to ensuring members of Michigan’s federally recognized tribes have a seat at the table in state government. She has appointed 44 Native Americans to judgeships, councils, boards, and commissions. One of those appointees, Bryan Newland, was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs last year, where he serves Native communities nationwide alongside Secretary Deb Haaland. 

Judge Maldonado Appointment

Governor Whitmer announced her appointment of Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado to the Michigan Court of Appeals, District 4. Judge Maldonado currently serves as the Chief Judge of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Trial Court. Judge Maldonado has also served as a pro tem judge for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Prior to her appointment as Chief Judge, she served as assistant general counsel for the LTBB tribe from 2002-2012. Following her graduation from law school, Judge Maldonado was selected as only the 15th tribal citizen to enter the prestigious honors program at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). There she became a litigator in the Indian Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. She later worked as a staff attorney for Monteau & Peebles, LLP.

Maldonado earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the City University of New York. Judge Maldonado is a nationally recognized expert on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). She is active in the legal community outside the court room and is a member of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association of Michigan, Anishinaabek Caucus of Michigan, Women Lawyer’s Association of Michigan, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, and Michigan Justice for All Commission, and the treasurer for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Allie lives in Petoskey with her husband, Jay. She is a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a member of the Turtle Clan.

“I am humbled and honored to be trusted by Governor Whitmer for this appointment to the Michigan Court of Appeals,” said Judge Maldonado. “I look forward to taking all of my professional experience and diligently applying it to the work ahead of me. This is a moment of importance not just for me, but for all of Indian Country as the Governor’s wisdom in this appointment sends a message about the critical importance of the work of tribal courts. I am grateful to the Governor and her team, and I look forward to giving all of Michigan my best.”

Frank Ettawageshik, executive director of United Tribes of Michigan and a member of the Little Traverse Band’s appellate court, called the appointment of Maldonado “an important step for Judge Maldonado, the court and Native Americans.”

“Allie is eminently qualified for this important position. She has a deep understanding of the law, including the sometimes misunderstood but vitally important role of Native American tribes as sovereign nations under our system of justice,” said Ettawageshik. “This will give her an opportunity to expand her constituency from our tribal members to the entire state. She is a worthy addition to the Michigan Court of Appeals.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the retirement of Judge Amy Ronayne Krause effective December 13, 2022. Judge Maldonado’s term will commence on January 9, 2023 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025. If Judge Maldonado wishes to serve the remainder of Judge Krause’s term, expiring January 1, 2027, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2024.

Judicial appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Governor Appoints Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Citizen Allie Maldonado to the Michigan Court of Appeals

December 6, 2022December 6, 2022Wenona T. Singel

Judge Allie Greenleaf Maldonado will be the first Native person to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals. The historic appointment was announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer today during the annual Michigan Tribal Summit in Sault Ste. Marie. Congratulations to Judge Maldonado!!

Judge Maldonado currently serves as the Chief Judge of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Court. Prior to her service as Chief Judge, she served as assistant general counsel for LTBB from 2002-2012. Judge Maldonado also worked as a lawyer for the Indian Resources Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Maldonado earned her JD from the University of Michigan Law School, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the City University of New York. She’s a nationally recognized expert on the Indian Child Welfare Act.

“I am humbled and honored to be trusted by Governor Whitmer for this appointment to the Michigan Court of Appeals,” Judge Maldonado said in a statement. “I look forward to taking all of my professional experience and diligently applying it to the work ahead of me. This is a moment of importance not just for me but for all of Indian Country, as the Governor’s wisdom in this appointment sends a message about the critical importance of the work of tribal courts. I am grateful to the Governor and her team, and I look forward to giving all of Michigan my best.”

Judge Maldonado’s appointment fills a partial term following the retirement of Judge Amy Ronayne Krause. Judge Maldonado’s term will begin January 9, 2023 and expire on January 1, 2025. If she wishes to continue to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals after that date, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2024.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2022/12/06/governor-whitmer-appoints-first-tribal-citizen-michigan-court-appeals/

Allie Maldonado Appointed to Michigan Court of Appeals!!!

December 6, 2022December 6, 2022Wenona T. Singel

Here.

Come work with us!

April 23, 2022May 3, 2022Wenona T. Singel

The Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law is hiring a Communications Coordinator. A description of the position is below, and the MSU HR link is here. The deadline for applying is May 3, 2022.

Communications Coordinator

Work type: Support Staff
Pay Grade: 10
Major Administrative Unit / College: Michigan State University College Of Law
Department: Juris Doctorate Programs 40001138
Sub Area: AP- Professionals
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Administrative/Business/Professional, Administrative Professionals- AP, Full Time (90-100%), Union, Remote-Friendly

Position Summary

The College of Law Indigenous Law & Policy Center (ILPC) welcomes candidates who have a passion for working in indigenous rights advocacy; experience working with indigenous peoples and diverse groups of people; strong communication and organizational skills; and exhibit a high degree of professionalism and the ability to work in a self-directed environment or in a group setting.

The Indigenous Law & Policy Center Communications Coordinator supports the ILPC by assisting with developing website content, electronic newsletters, visual aids, social media posts, and other organizational communications aligned with the ILPC’s needs and strategic initiatives. The Communications Coordinator also maintains the ILPC office and assists ILPC faculty and staff in coordinating events, conferences, and student programming.

The ILPC welcomes candidates who (1) have a passion for working in indigenous rights advocacy; (2) have experience working with indigenous peoples and diverse groups of people; (3) have strong communication and organizational skills; and (4) exhibit a high degree of professionalism and the ability to work in both a self-directed environment and in a group setting.

The ILPC currently includes a Director, Associate Director, Clinic Director, and Legal Counselor. The Center works very closely together to recruit students; provide services to students, clinical clients, and tribal governments; provide teaching and learning opportunities related to Indigenous law; produce original research and scholarship on Indigenous law; and host events at the law school.

The Communications Coordinator reports to the Director and Associate Director of the ILPC and assists the ILPC team in providing administrative support. In collaboration with the College of Law Director of Events and the Director of Communications and Marketing, the Communications Coordinator:

• Assists the ILPC faculty and staff with planning and coordinating all ILPC events.
• Coordinates lunches, speaking events, and ILPC visits for students interested in Indian Law.
• Plans and organizes the annual ILPC conference.
• Manages marketing materials that amplify and strengthen ILPC presence at MSU, Michigan tribal communities, and within Indian country.
• Drafts ILPC correspondence and creates newsletters for the ILPC community, students, and alumni.
• Manages the ILPC social media accounts, including Turtle Talk.
• Attends Indian law events and conferences 1-4 times per year to promote the ILPC and its objectives; requires overnight travel.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Communications, Telecommunications, Journalism, Marketing, or Public Relations; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in internal communications; news, broadcasting, and print media, and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation software; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation; or radio production; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with Native American and Indigenous communities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in event planning and logistics for on-campus events.
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals.
• Experience using WordPress and social media platforms.
• Ability to multitask.
• Experience using programs like InDesign and Photoshop.
• Experience in Communications, Development, Marketing, or related fields.
• Experience working in a university environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Together-we-will Statement

The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/

Special Instructions

Cover Letter
Resume
Three Professional References

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.