Briefs in 2nd Circuit Onondaga Nation Land Claims Case

Briefs for the Appellees:

State’s Brief

City of Syracuse and Corporate Appellee’s Brief

Previous coverage and appellant’s brief here.

In re Al-Sadoon, Unpublished Michigan COA ICWA Case

Here.

Problematic language here:

The lower court did not inquire about the tribal status of respondent or the children as required by MCR 3.965(B)(2). However, the Michigan Supreme Court has held that it “will not reverse an otherwise proper termination absent a showing that a party suffered an actual deprivation of an important right.” In re Osborne, 459 Mich 360, 369 n 10; 589 NW2d 763 (1999). Respondent has not shown that the lower court’s failure to inquire about tribal status in fact deprived her of an important right. Accordingly, any error in the lower court’s failure to inquire about tribal status was harmless.

Problematic for many reasons, but mainly because the Michigan Supreme Court found in May:

Therefore, before a state court can determine whether ICWA applies to the proceedings, the court must first make the critical determination whether the child is an “Indian child.”

In re Morris, *13

1. At the preliminary hearing, the court must inquire about Indian heritage. While MCR 3.965(B)(2) frames the inquiry in terms of actual tribal membership, sufficiently reliable information of virtually any criteria on which membership might be based is adequate to trigger the notice requirement of 25 USC 1912(a). See part IV(A) of the opinion. As we have noted, not all tribes keep written rolls and it is possible for a parent to be unaware that she or he is a member of a tribe. See n 19 of the opinion and accompanying text.

In re Morris, Appendix (emphasis added).

Interior Issues Decisions on Two Gaming Applications

Here is the press release. The application for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians was approved, while the one for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians was denied.

Question and Answer with Patricia Millett at SCOTUSblog

Here.

If you could argue any case in history, what would it be and why?

 Marbury v. Madison, of course.  Just because if women had broken into the Supreme Court bar back then, we’d dominate it by now!

John Borrows and Pam Palmater Interviewed by CBC on the Royals Visit to Canada

Nice piece–Both Borrows and Pamater have visited MSU to speak and it’s great to see them interviewed by the CBC along with Taiaiake Alfred and Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo about Prince Charles’s visit to Canada and his meetings with aboriginal leaders this week.

Borrows: Indigenous peoples are creative, engaged, problem-solving peoples.

They have the desire and ability to meet the most pressing challenges and questions faced by the world today. They have beautiful languages, exquisite art, wise elders, and strong leaders. They have an immensely deep and profound love for our lands and territories.

Through collective experience, indigenous peoples also know the most about Canada’s failings. They live the stories of Canada’s collapse when it comes to the effects of greed, misunderstanding and ignorance related to Canada’s land use.

They have the lowest rates of formal education and income. They have the highest rates of suicide, incarceration, unemployment and poverty.

Our greatest challenge is getting the world to see the relationship between Canada’s generally high standard of living and indigenous peoples’ troubling experiences throughout the country.

KBIC Tribal Attorney Position

Here.

To serve as general in-house counsel for the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Council.

Provides legal advice and assistance to the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Council, tribal administrators, program and enterprise directors/managers.

Provides counsel and representation on treaty right issues: hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering, taxation, environment, and civil regulations.

Represents Tribal Council in court and before quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. Provides legal counsel and representation on Indian Child Welfare matters.

Maintains and revises the Tribal Code. Drafts, reviews, revises and acts as consultant in regard to tribal legal codes and legislation.

Reviews and assists in revision of personnel manuals, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with tribal and applicable federal laws.

Supervises Legal Department clerical staff, Tribal Prosecutor, and Police Commissioner. Reviews all tribal contracts for legal sufficiency in conjunction with the tribes’ Chief Financial Officer.

Represents the tribe in regard to land acquisition, including fee to trust applications.

Serves on advisory committees relative to economic and financial development, environmental concerns, employee benefits and employment policies. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Tribal President.

Senate Report on S. 676 (Carcieri Fix)

Senate Report on Carcieri Fix, otherwise known as Senate bill 676:

Here.

ICWA By The Numbers

This information is from a presentation I gave today at the Minnesota CLE.

In 2011 there were 199 ICWA cases (249 in the allstate-cs Westlaw database using “Indian Child Welfare Act” search. 50 were not ICWA cases.). Of those 122 (61%) were California notice or inquiry cases. This is less than the last time we checked in 2007 (308 cases). The state continues to remand nearly 50% of all the notice cases (58 remanded, 48%). The only state even close to California on notice cases is Michigan, with 8 last year, and 5 remanded.

Of the family lore cases, there was only one additional case in 2011 from the same lower court as the others and none in 2012.

Continue reading

Webcast of Today’s SCIA Hearing on Fulfilling the Trust Responsibility

Here: Oversight Hearing on Fulfilling the Federal Trust Responsibility