UPDATED: New card with class descriptions.

Download course card here.

2016 Course Schedule

Indian Law Research

Credits: 1 Professor: Stacey Gordon Dates: June 6 – 10 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

CLE Credits: 11.5 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

Given that American Indian and Alaska Natives are sovereign governments, the field of American Indian and Indigenous Law encompasses distinct legal issues and sources. Researching both federal Indian law (the relationships between tribal governments and the U.S. government) and tribal law (the law of individual tribes) requires a unique set of tools and research skills . In this course, students will learn the skills and sources necessary to research general Indian law issues as well as the very specialized skills and sources used in researching the legal history of a tribe, including reserved treaty rights. The course will cover researching treaties, Indian land claims, statutory and case law, and tribal law.

Mastering American Indian Law

Credits: 2 Professor: Maylinn Smith Dates: June 13 – 17 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

CLE Credits: 23.75 (pending) CLE Tuition: $1,300 CLE Registration: Online

This course looks at fundamental aspects of American Indian law and provides a basic understanding of core Indian law principles, both on the federal and tribal level. The course familiarizes participants with the development of foundational concepts in the area of Indian law and addresses the continuing impact of federal legislation and court actions on tribal governance structures and principles of sovereignty. In addition to providing substantive information on legal principles associated with American Indian law, participants with engage in practical skills building exercises that build upon the substantive materials being covered.

Energy in Indian Country

Credits: 1 Professor: Monte Mills Dates: June 20 – 24 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

CLE Credits: 11.5 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

This course will trace the history of energy development and related issues in Indian Country, discuss the statutory, regulatory, and other legal issues that arise in that context, and provide participants with background and perspective on the issues currently facing Indian tribes interested in pursuing energy development. In doing so, we will learn more about the social, cultural, and other policy issues faced by tribes when considering decisions about development and examine the federal government’s role in fulfilling it trust responsibilities to Indian tribes engaged in energy-related activities.

Indian Gaming

Credits: 1 Professor: Melissa Schlichting Dates: June 27 – July 1 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

CLE Credits: 11.5 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

This class reviews federal statutes, regulations, and case law pertaining to Indian gaming issues. Participants will learn about contemporary issues affecting Indian gaming, the gaming regulation system, and the compacting process. Special emphasis will be placed on Montana tribal gaming concerns.

Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Indian Country

Credits: 1 Professor: Matthew Fletcher Dates: July 5 – 8 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Course Capacity: 30 Students

CLE Credits: 12 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

This course will introduce participants to the distinctive constitutional issues arising from and affecting Indian country. The initial portion of the class will cover the legal history of federal Indian law, dating from pre-constitutional times, the Marshall Trilogy, the Plenary Power Trilogy, to the modern era of federal Indian law beginning in 1959. The main portion of the class will address critical modern era cases and their impacts on contemporary tribal governance and Indian affairs.

Indian Water Law

Credits: 1 Professor: John Carter Dates: July 11 – 15 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Course Capacity: 25 Students

CLE Credits: 11.5 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

This course provides information about the various aspects of Indian water law and addresses the historical sources for Indian water rights, the scope of Indian water rights, protection of Indian water rights and the compacting process.

Current American Indian Legislative Issues

Credits: 1 Professor: Kevin Washburn Dates: July 18 – 22 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

CLE Credits: 11.5 (pending) CLE Tuition: $650 CLE Registration: Online

Federal Indian law and policy develops in the courts, in Congress, and in federal agencies. This course will focus on the legislative and administrative processes in forming laws and regulations, but will also explore the relationship between the courts and these other forums by focusing on Congressional and administrative reactions to decisions in the Supreme Court and the lower courts. The content of the course will include recent developments in the 114th Congress and the Obama Administration.