Announcements

Job Posting for Law Clerk for St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Courts

Kate Fort

Announcement here.

Summary:

The Law Clerk for the SRMT Court is responsible for researching and analyzing uniquely intricate, complex and sensitive legal issues and questions for SRMT Judges, assist SRMT Judges in evaluating cases filed with the Court, drafting and preparing proposed orders, decisions and opinions for SRMT Judges, and discussion of pending cases with the SRMT Judges.The Law Clerk will also provide other personal and confidential assistance to the Courts’ Judges.

Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate degree (JD) from an accredited law school.
  • Experience with Tribal governments.
  • Work experience in federal Indian Law is preferred.

DOJ Announces The Gaye L. Tenoso Indian Country Fellowship

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Gaye L. TenosoThe Gaye L. Tenoso Indian Country Fellowship

The Gaye L. Tenoso Indian Country Fellowship, part of the Attorney General’s Honors Program, is designed to create a new pipeline of legal talent with expertise and deep experience in federal Indian law, tribal law, and Indian Country issues that can be deployed in creative ways to build tribal capacity, combat violent crime, and bolster public safety in Indian Country jurisdictions.

The Fellowship is named in honor of Department of Justice attorney, the late Gaye L. Tenoso. Gaye’s distinguished service to the Department and the people it serves spanned 30 years. For the last six years of her life Gaye served as the Deputy Director the Office of Tribal Justice. Gaye’s expertise in Federal Indian law and knowledge of Tribes enabled her to be an exceptionally effective advisor on litigation and policy matters. She worked tirelessly to ensure that specific protections for American Indian women were included in the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013. Gaye also mentored many legal interns during her time at the Office of Tribal Justice, and was an inspiration and guide who left a deep impression on many young attorneys.

Prior to serving with the Office of Tribal Justice, Gaye worked for over 25 years in the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in the Educational Opportunities Section and the Voting Section. While in the Voting Section, she received the high honor of being invited by the United States Solicitor General to sit at counsel table during the Supreme Court argument in Reno v. Bossier Parish School District. In addition, Gaye led the Civil Rights Division’s Election Monitoring Program to ensure the right to vote for all Americans. Gaye’s passion was to ensure American Indians were provided the same access to voting as others. She was instrumental in bringing cases against counties in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah to provide language assistance at the polls for American Indians, where she helped spearhead unprecedented remedies to provide voting opportunities for all.

Gaye was an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Indians. At the time of her passing, Gaye had been asked to serve as a Justice on her Tribe’s Supreme Court. Attorney General Eric Holder memorialized Gaye by saying she “was an inspiration to many and a lifelong champion of federal-tribal cooperation.” Gaye will be remembered for her lifelong passion for justice and her defense of civil rights.

NMAI Treaty Symposium — Sept. 18, 2014

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here (PDF):

NMAI_NationToNation_SymposiumFlyer

NNABA Press Release about the ABA Amendment to Include Tribal Court Practitioners

Kate Fort

WWW.NATIVEAMERICANBAR.ORG
For Immediate Release, August 12, 2014
Contact: Mary L. Smith (202) 236-0339

NNABA APPLAUDS THE HISTORIC VOTE OF THE AMERICAN
BAR ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES TO RECOGNIZE
TRIBAL COURT PRACTITIONERS AS FULL MEMBERS
PHOENIX—The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) applauds the historic vote of the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates to amend the ABA Constitution to permit tribal court practitioners to be full members of the ABA.  This August 11, 2014 vote of the House of Delegates was unanimous.

“We commend the ABA for recognizing that there are three sovereign court systems in the United States (federal, state and tribal) and for amending its constitution to  permit tribal court practitioners – who are not currently eligible to be ABA members – to become full members of the ABA,” said Mary Smith, NNABA president. “This constitutional amendment will – at long last – put tribal court bar admissions on equal footing with the bars of states, territories and possessions of the United States.”

The ABA has made significant strides towards inclusion but there was a glaring injustice that needed to be corrected – full membership for American citizens who happen to be licensed through a tribal court as opposed to a state, federal or territorial bar. Under previous policy, anyone licensed in a state, federal or territorial jurisdiction within the United States could join the ABA as a full member with all rights and responsibilities. That policy did not extend to those who are licensed through a tribal court of a federally recognized tribe. Thus, there was a class of persons who were denied the opportunity for full membership because they practiced solely in a tribal court. As a policy decision, the ABA had previously extended the opportunity for full membership to lawyers who practice in Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The same inclusive policy now applies to individuals practicing before tribal courts within the United States.

Founded in 1973, NNABA serves as the national association for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. NNABA strives for justice and effective legal representation for all American indigenous peoples; fosters the development of Native American lawyers and judges; and addresses social, cultural and legal issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
For more information contact 480-727-0420 or visit http://www.nativeamericanbar.org.

Indian Law Section Program for Michigan State Bar Meeting — Sept. 18, 2014

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment
AMERICAN INDIAN LAW SECTION OF THE STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN
Annual Business Meeting & Program

This event is offered in conjunction with the Bar’s Annual Meeting

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Business Meeting: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Program: 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: DeVos Place, Grand Rapids
Registration is requested to allow for proper facilities planning. Visit the Bar’s Annual Meeting page for more details.

Michigan v. Bay Mills
A look at the key issues in the recent Supreme Court case, Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community.
Speakers: Riyaz Kanji, Kanji & Katzen PLLC, Ann Arbor
Kathryn Tierney, Bay Mills Indian Community, Brimley
Louis Reinwasser, State of Michigan, Environment Natural Res. & Agric. Div., Lansing

2014 Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award recipient:  Assistant United States Attorney Jeff J. Davis

American Indian Law Center Announces “TRANSITIONS: 7th Annual Tribal Leadership Conference”

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

What:   Transitions: 7th Annual Tribal Leadership Conference

When:   September 16-17, 2014

Where:   Isleta Resort & Casino, 11000 Broadway SE,  Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registration Deadline:  September 10, 2014
Registration Fee:  $125.00

Contact:  Valerie S. Begay at (505) 277-5462 or begay@law.unm.edu for additional questions.

Transitions14_RegistrationForm

*************************************

Dear Tribal Leaders, Key Tribal Administrators, Tribal Court Judges, Court Administrators/Clerks and Colleagues:

The American Indian Law Center, Inc. (AILC) is pleased to announce our 7th Annual Tribal Leadership Conference:  TRANSITIONS, September 16-17, 2014 at the Isleta Resort and Casino in Isleta Pueblo, NM.

We are writing to cordially invite you to participate, learn, and share your experiences and thoughts on leadership at our conference. Our compelling sessions and distinguished speakers will engage participants in a discourse on federal, state, and local issues important to tribal nations.

Attached is the registration form with details for hotel registration and additional conference details.  Please contact the AILC at (505) 277-5462 or begay@law.unm.edu for any questions.

An Agenda will provided as soon as it is available.  We look forward to your participation.

AMERICAN INDIAN LAW CENTER, INC.

Email: begay@law.unm.edu
(505) 277-5462
(505) 277-1035 Fax
www.ailc-inc.org

Mid-­Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean RFP for Tribal Consultant

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

MARCO is seeking a consultant to provide facilitation and outreach services with Tribal entities in the Mid-Atlantic region. The consultant will design and implement ocean planning outreach activities as described in the Request for Proposal (RFP). Through this outreach process, it is MARCO’s goal to expand and enhance Tribal engagement in the regional ocean planning process.

 

Please click here for the full RFP. Proposals are due on August 29, 2014.

2014 National Intertribal Tax Alliance Conference Press Release

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here (PDF).

An excerpt:

AKWESASNE, NY August 8, 2014— The National Intertribal Tax Alliance (NITA) announces its 16th Annual conference to be held September 24-25, 2014 at the Harrah’s Resort Southern California owned by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. NITA is the foremost Native organization focusing on tribal taxation issues for tribal governments and tribal enterprises. NITA’s annual conferences attract many tribal tax commissioners, attorneys and other professionals interested in obtaining the latest updates on tribal tax issues.

The Rincon Band is pleased that the 16th Annual NITA Conference will be held at the newly-renovated Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band, will deliver the welcoming address.

Headlining this year’s Conference is Keynote Speaker Matthew Fletcher, Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law and primary editor of the popular Indian law blog, “Turtle Talk.” (https://turtletalk.wordpress.com) This two-day conference includes general session panels and breakout sessions for more in-depth discussion on many complex tribal tax issues. General panels topics include Litigation and Legislative Updates; Tribal v. State Jurisdiction; BIA Leasing Regulations; IRS Guidance and Federal Compliance Initiatives; and State Tax Issues Relating to Tribal Businesses . Breakout session topics include Tribal Tax Code Implementation; Pipeline/Utility Tax Issues; Tribal Programs and the General Welfare Exclusion Act; Gasoline Tax Issues; and Development of a National Tribal Tax Commission Alliance.

NITA Chairperson Kelly Croman is extremely excited about this year’s conference emphasizing: “this year we have put together an ‘All-Star Cast’ of speakers and presenters for our conference.” “We expect a big turnout at the very popular and newly-renovated Harrah’s Resort and urge everyone who is interested to sign up early.”

 

 

Library of Congress Unveils Indigenous Law Portal

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here, via the LOC blog post, “Introducing the Indigenous Law Portal.”

H/T Legal History Blog.

Job Posting at VA Office of Tribal Relations

Kate Fort1 Comment

Here.

This position is located in the Central Office of the  Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC.  The incumbent is the primary staff support resource for the Office of Tribal Government Relations.

Duties included:

-Performs as an advisor within the Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR) and is responsible for prioritizing and coordinating issues relating to the Department’s daily relationship with tribal government leaders and representatives.

-Serves as the subject matter expert and secondary liaison with other federal Department and Agency support staff in tribal consultation.

-Researches and keeps abreast of issues and initiatives that may relate to OTGR activities.

-Plan and evaluate topics requiring higher level programmatic attention, developing background information on tribal veteran issues, drafting of office position papers, executive summaries, Congressional correspondence and associated communication documents for higher level review.

-Actively participates in staff and/or management level meetings and discussions pertaining to the activities encompassed in the management functions of OTGR.

-Follows ups on newly implemented or adapted policies and procedures as directed.

-Serves as the action officer for short and long-range efforts and program functions within OTGR.

-Advises management on tribal consultation strategies, sources, and special programs that emphasize affirmative action in conveying program initiatives.

-Assist with a variety of one time and recurring projects, reports, and studies relating to the evaluation of a wide variety of personnel management subjects.