Announcements – Page 85

AALS Indian Law-Related Programs (and Newsletter)

January 5, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Thanks to Ezra Rosser for completing a newsletter for the AALS Indian Law Section: Indian Law Newsletter Jan 2013

The final agenda is here. The Indian-law related programs are all scheduled for Sunday.

10:30 – 12:15 AM
[6250] Section on Indian Nations and Indigenous Peoples
Cambridge, Second Floor, Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Indian Gaming and the Future of Tribal Sovereignty
Speakers: Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Michigan State University College of Law
Venus McGhee Prince, Attorney General, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore, AL
Alexander T. Skibine, University of Utah, S. J. Quinney College of Law
George Skibine, Counsel, SNR Denton, Washington, DC
Indian gaming, which came to the forefront of American Indian affairs in the 1980s and 1990s, is now a $27 billion a year business. Indian gaming dramatically restored the relative fortunes of some of the poorest tribes, and helped tribes regain control over their lands and their lives. However, with increased competition, Indian gaming revenues have leveled off and projections for the future of Indian gaming widely vary. How will Indian nations respond? Our panel includes leading legal scholars and practitioners in the Indian gaming field.
Business Meeting at Program Conclusion.

2:00 – 3:45 PM
[6425] Crosscutting Program: (A program selected after a competitive process by the AALS Committee on Special Programs for the Annual Meeting)
Grand Ballroom D, First Floor, Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: The Intersection of Environmental Law, Natural Resources Development, Water Law, Energy Law, International Law, and Indigenous Law
(Papers to be published in the Tulane Environmental Law Journal)
Moderator and Speaker: Elizabeth Kronk, University of Kansas School of Law
Speakers: Randall S. Abate, Florida A&M University College of Law
Sara Bronin, University of Connecticut School of Law
Sarah A. Krakoff, University of Colorado School of Law
Judith V. Royster, The University of Tulsa College of Law
Previous AALS panels related to climate change have addressed the increasing importance of including a discussion of climate change in any law school curriculum. The purpose of the panel is to generally discuss the importance of including indigenous people in any discussion related to climate change. Particularly important is the recognition that legal “answers” to climate change may be different when indigenous people are involved. The panel will then focus on how climate change and its impact on indigenous people may be discussed in several different doctrinal areas. Specifically, each presenter will discuss the importance of this subject matter to his or her doctrinal area and include a discussion of how the topic may specifically be incorporated into lesson plans. The proposed topic is innovative in that program attendees will walk away with not only an understanding of why the topic is important but with actual lesson plans and proposed materials to include in their

4:00 – 5:45 PM
[6480] Section on Law and Anthropology
Cambridge, Second Floor, Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Human Rights, Culture, and Indigenous Development
Moderator: Kathryn Fort, Michigan State University College of Law
Speakers: Kirsten Carlson, Wayne State University Law School
Nicole B. Friederichs, Suffolk University Law School
Mark Goodale, Associate Professor, George Mason Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Arlington, VA
Kirsty Gover, J.S.D., Programme Director, Comparative Tribal Constitutionalism Research Programme, Melbourne Law School, Carlton, Australia
The theme of this panel will be the exploration of several questions related to indigenous development, such as the following:
1.) How can human rights be used to develop a political and cultural environment in which indigenous peoples can achieve self-determination?
2.) What obstacles must be confronted as indigenous peoples use human rights law to assert their rights to resources, culture and self-governance?
3.) What strategies exist to develop the practice of intercultural education, exchange, respect and diplomacy in the field of human rights?
4.) What is the relationship between international human rights norms and processes and indigenous culture and governance?

“Faith in Paper,” First Spring Speakers Event on January 15th at 2pm

January 3, 2013January 15, 2013Kate Fort1 Comment

No registration necessary. We hope to see you here:

MILS Fundraiser, January 25th

January 3, 2013Kate Fort

A Benefit for Michigan Indian Legal Services

Friday, January 25th 5:30pm-9:00pm

A benefit/fundraiser for MILS. Tickets are $50.00 per person and include 2 drinks and 1 raffle ticket. Doors open at 5:30p.m., welcome at 6:00p.m. followed by hors d’oeuvres. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. For tickets contact MILS, any of their fantastic attorneys, or Angela Sherigan.

Sponsorship opportunities still available! Contact Angela Sherigan, 586-822-4220 for more information.

Lac Vieux Desert Band Ojibwe Prosecutor Job Posting

January 2, 2013January 2, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher

JOB VACANCY

POSITION: Prosecuting Attorney

DEPARTMENT: Lac Vieux Desert Prosecutor’s Office

SUPERVISOR: Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Council

LOCATION: TBD

EMPLOYMENT: FULL-TIME

SALARY: TBD based on qualifications and experience

Non-Exempt Status

JOB SUMMARY

Under the administrative supervision of the Tribal Council of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (“LVD” or “Tribe”), the Prosecuting Attorney provides criminal and civil law enforcement services to the LVD community, presents child protection matters in LVD Tribal Court. The Prosecuting Attorney will perform the duties and responsibilities of the position in a manner that is consistent with applicable ethical standards and assuring that justice is upheld according to the laws of the Tribe. Occasional travel within and outside Michigan will be required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Conduct pre-trial investigations of violations of the Tribe’s criminal laws in cooperation with the Tribal Police Department and other Tribal authorities;
Exercise authority and discretion to prosecute criminal violations in the LVD Tribal Court, including arraignments, motions, trials, and appeals, or, to the extent consistent with public policy and in the public interest and subject to the final approval of the Tribal Court, negotiate and enter into plea agreements;
Prepare or review all requests for warrants and subpoenas issued under the authority of Tribal law to substantiate compliance with legal requirements;
If designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecute non-Indian misdemeanor violations in the federal courts;
In cooperation with other LVD authorities, prosecute violations of LVD and GLIFWIC conservation, environmental, and natural resource protection laws;
While upholding LVD sovereignty and jurisdiction, assist, cooperate and coordinate with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities as needed regarding criminal investigations and prosecutions occurring within their respective jurisdictions, particularly where crimes involving the LVD community or its members are concerned;
Present child protection and custody matters in LVD Tribal Court;
Present juvenile status offenses and delinquency matters in the LVD Tribal Court;
As requested, serve as a member of the LVD Child Protection Team and other Multi-disciplinary Team that may be created from time to time;
As directed, prepare policies and guidelines to provide proper procedures for carrying out the Prosecuting Attorney’s duties and responsibilities;
As directed, cooperate with and assist the LVD Tribal Court and the Tribal Police Department in their efforts to improve procedure and administration within their respective agencies as pertains to the duties and responsibilities of the Prosecuting Attorney; and
As directed, attend legal training and continuing legal education seminars and conferences regarding subject matters directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Except as encompassed within the scope of duties of the Prosecutor or as otherwise expressly authorized, the Prosecuting Attorney shall not provide legal advice to LVD agencies, employees, or members. The responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive. All of the duties listed above may not be assigned, nor do the examples cover all duties which may be assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Continue reading →

National Indian Gaming Commission Staff Attorney Job Posting

January 2, 2013Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Department of the Interior | National Indian Gaming Commission

Staff Attorney

Job Announcement Number: NIGC-DA-13-MM813687(EX)

SALARY RANGE: $105,211.00 to $155,500.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD: Friday, December 28, 2012 to Friday, January 11, 2013

SERIES & GRADE: AD-0905-14/15 (Equivalent to GS-14/15)

POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time – Excepted Service Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS: Washington DC

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is an independent Federal regulatory agency whose primary mission is to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands for the purpose of shielding Indian tribes from organized crime and other corrupting influences; to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue; and to assure that gaming is conducted fairly and honestly by both operators and players.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: administrative and federal litigation regarding Indian gaming matters; the review of tribal gaming ordinances and management contracts; and the provision of general legal advice and assistance on gaming and administrative matters to the NIGC.

The Attorney works in the Office of the General Counsel of the NIGC

The salary range for this position is equivalent to the GS-14/15 salary ($105,211- $155,500).

For full job description and application information visit http://www.usajobs.gov/

GetJob/ViewDetails/334583900

DOJ Civil Rights Division Posting for American Indian Law Students (Volunteer)

December 19, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is interested in receiving applications from Native American law students for its volunteer summer internship program. Please find information and links below. To the extent you can disseminate this recruitment information to Native American law students or others that can help us spread the word, it would be much appreciated. We are accepting applications now for the Summer 2013. Please call or email me if you have any questions.

Volunteer Internship Opportunities

The Civil Rights Division offers competitive student volunteer internship positions in Washington, D.C. each academic semester, including the summer, for both law and undergraduate students. Interns gain a unique and exciting view of the work and mission of the Division.

The Division is primarily responsible for enforcing federal statutes and executive orders that prohibit, among other things, unlawful discrimination in voting, education, employment, housing, police services, public accommodations and facilities, and federally funded and conducted programs.

Interns will assist Division attorneys or specialists in legal and factual research, prepare documents and exhibits, interview witnesses, summarize depositions, analyze records, and other case-related work. Some sections may also involve interns in policy-related assignments. Given the nature of the work and the high quality of its staff, the Division expects interns to be able to grasp issues quickly, complete work thoroughly and accurately, and write clearly and concisely. These positions are without compensation or may be used for work-study credit.

Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens; dual citizens will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The following students are eligible to apply: undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time; first-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students; and law school graduates who are enrolled in graduate law programs (e.g., L.L.M. programs) at least half-time. All students must be in good academic standing and will be required to provide official documentation from their school. First-year, first-semester law students may apply after December 1 for internships the following summer.

How to Apply: Interested students should submit a resume, brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages), transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and a cover letter describing your specific qualifications, listing the section where you want to be considered, and providing the time period you are available to work. Applications must be e-mailed to crt.volunteervacancies@usdoj.gov or faxed to (202) 305-9667. Please include Volunteer Internship in the subject line of your communication.

To learn more about individuals sections within the Civil Rights Division: http://www.justice.gov/crt/employment/sec_desc.php

2013 Berkey Williams LLP Public Interest Indian Law Fellowship Program

December 19, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Fellowship – BW Public Interest 2013

Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Appellate Court Judge Posting

December 13, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

JD Appellate Judge

NCAI Job Postings for Staff Attorney and Director of Policy–Human Services

December 10, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

NCAI Job Announcement – Director of Human Services Policy – FINAL

NCAI Job Announcement – Staff Attorney – FINAL

Newseum Presents “Waaxe’s Law”

December 10, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

NEWSEUM PRESENTS STAGED READING OF ‘WAAXE’S LAW’

Performance will feature dramatic retelling of the first federal court decision to declare Native Americans to be “persons” under the law

WASHINGTON — The Newseum will host a performance of “Waaxe’s Law” in the museum’s Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.

In 1879, a Ponca Indian chief stood up, extended his hand, and made one of the greatest arguments for equality under the law in the history of the United States. Chief Standing Bear demanded that a federal court afford him the same rights as whites under the law, despite the fact that his skin was a different color.

Cherokee playwright and attorney Mary Kathryn Nagle wrote “Waaxe’s Law,” a play that tells the story of the forced removal of the Ponca tribe to present-day Oklahoma and Chief Standing Bear’s subsequent journey for justice — a journey that resulted in the first federal court decision declaring Indians to be “persons” under the law. Although Chief Standing Bear won his fight for equality in 1879 — a full 75 years before the Supreme Court issued its decision in Brown v. Board of Education — very few Americans know of his story or the freedoms he won for Native Americans. Continue reading →