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NATIONAL INTERTRIBAL TAX ALLIANCE WRAPS UP ITS 16^TH ANNUAL TAX CONFERENCE – SEPTEMBER 24-15, 2014 – Harrah’s Resort Southern California (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians), Valley Center, California

VALLEY CENTER, CA October 1, 2014– The National Intertribal Tax Alliance (NITA) wrapped up its 16^th Annual conference, September 24-25, 2014 hosted and sponsored by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and held at their fabulous and newly-renovated Hotel and Casino in Valley Center, California just northeast of San Diego. NITA is the foremost Native organization focusing on tribal taxation issues for tribal governments and tribal enterprises. This year’s well-attended conference included many “hot topic” tribal taxation issues facing tribes in Indian Country today.

Rincon Band Chairman Bo Mazzetti welcomed attendees, followed by an Opening Prayer by Council Member, Laurie Gonzalez. Past NITA Board Chairperson, Mary Mashunkashey gave the Opening remarks thanking all the speakers and conferees for their participation emphasizing the importance of NITA’s conferences as vital element to the mission and objectives in assisting and disseminating information on current tribal tax issues to tribes and tribal tax commissions which affects many aspects of tribal sovereignty.

Headlining this year’s Conference was Keynote Speaker Matthew Fletcher, Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center. Professor Fletcher is also primary editor of the popular Indian law blog, “Turtle Talk.” (https://turtletalk.wordpress.com). Professor Fletcher delivered an intriguing and thought-proving address focusing on “Rights Without Remedies” regarding court decisions affecting tribal sovereign immunity in various court cases where the right of a state under federal Indian law was unenforceable against an Indian tribe due to sovereign immunity. His keynote explains the court’s reaffirmation of the “clear statement rule.” He states “the clear statement rule recognizes that Congress has plenary authority to regulate tribal governance authority, but also that Congress retains a general trust responsibility to Indian nations and Indian people, requiring Congress to make clear, plain and express any intent to restrict tribal authority.” Professor Fletcher went on to explain different areas of tribal authority and the Legislative arena emphasizing that “Congress might pay more attention this time.” Professor Fletcher’s paper is contained in the Conference booklet available on the NITA website (see below for link.)

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