NNABA Bar Review Scholarship Now Open; Due Feb. 28, 2020

The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) Foundation is pleased to announce the 2020 Bar Review Scholarship. The NNABA Foundation strives to foster the development of Native American lawyers. The Bar Review Scholarship is intended for Native applicants to the Bar at the critical time of the bar exam.

Applications are due February 28, 2020. Applicants must be Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian; be an active member of NNABA, a regional American Indian bar association, or NALSA; and be intending to take the bar exam within the next year. Applicants must submit an application, a transcript, a resume, and a personal statement.

Please visit www.nativeamericanbar.org/foundation-scholarships for the full application criteria. Awardees will be honored at the NNABA Annual Meeting, taking place Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Sandia Pueblo, NM.

Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Answer and Counterclaims in Gaming Compact Suit

Here is the pleading in Cherokee Nation v. Stitt (W.D. Okla.):

15-state-answer-and-counterclaim.pdf

Complaint here.

Wiring the Rez

The Rosette, LLP American Indian Economic Development Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University will host its sixth annual Tribal Government E-Commerce CLE Conference January 30-31, 2020. The Indian Legal Program is pleased to announce two keynote speakers: Tara Sweeney, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior, and Kimberly Teehee, Cherokee Nation delegate-designate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Wiring the Rez: Innovative Strategies for Business Development Via E-Commerce

January 30-31, 2020

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Acacia Ballroom

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226

See full list of speakers and agenda, and register at law.asu.edu/wiringtherez.

Early rate ends Jan. 24.

National Indian Law Library Bulletin (1/22/2020)

Here:

We have scoured the web. Here are some of the latest materials related to Indian Law. Find all of the latest updates at narf.org/nill/bulletins/

U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin 
http://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/sct/2019-2020update.html
Read the latest update memo from the Tribal Supreme Court Project.

Federal Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/federal/2020.html

  • Little Dog v. Flathead County (American Indian Religious Freedom Act)
  • State of Maine v. Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and Penobscot Nation (Water Quality Standards) 
  • Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo v. City of El Paso  (Tribal Property; Pueblo Lands Act) 
  • Cherokee Nation v. Department of the Interior (Administrative Procedure Act) 
  • Dobbs v. Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee  (Sovereign Immunity) 

State Courts Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/state/2020.html

  • Mendoza v. Isleta Resort and Casino  (Sovereign Immunity)
  • State of Minnesota v. Thompson  (Tribal Jurisdiction)
  • State of New Mexico v. Salazar (Criminal Jurisdiction)

Tribal Courts Bulletin 
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/tribal/2020.html
Renzi v. Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise  (Personal Injury)

News Bulletin
https://www.narf.org/nill/bulletins/news/currentnews.html 
This week, in brief:

  • The necessity of the Indian Child Welfare Act
  • Census count is ‘an act of rebellion’
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs propose change affecting Alaska tribal recognition
  • Guest opinion: Bison transfer corrects longstanding wrong
  • Tohono O’odham historic sites at risk as border wall construction advances in Arizona
  • This South Seattle treatment center has been helping Native people beat substance use disorders for more than 30 years. So why is it closing?
  • Tribes file complaint with UN saying climate change threatens existence
  • Native Sun News Today: Gerry Robinson publishes new book about early Cheyenne history
  • ‘A Native lens’ on the 2020 presidential campaigns
  • Indigenous musicians come together in a sacred and safe space.

Brackeen v. Bernhardt En Banc Oral Argument Audio

Here.

Briefs here.

New Litman & Fletcher Article in The Atlantic on ICWA

In today’s The Atlantic, Professors Leah Litman and Matthew Fletcher discuss the continued Brackeen v. Bernhardt ICWA litigation in the 5th Circuit and how it’s an ongoing attack on tribal sovereignty. Read it here.

ILPC Spring Speaker Series: Nova Wilson and Sam Deloria

Today, 11:30-1pm in the Castle Board Room at MSU Law. PDF flyer here. TTJanSpringSpeaker2020_02

Cherokee Nation Trust Breach Suit Survives Federal Motion to Dismiss

Here are the materials in Cherokee Nation v. Dept. of the Interior (D.D.C.):

1 Complaint

34-1 MTD

39-cherokee-opposition-to-mtd.pdf

41-reply.pdf

42-denial-of-the-us-mtd.pdf

Article on Posthumous Pardon for Tribal Attorney Don Gellers

Here.

Donald Gellers died of cancer at the age of 78 in 2014. During his lifetime, he never asked for a pardon. But in October, Gellers’ attorney, relatives and members of the Passamaquoddy tribe appeared on his behalf to ask the governor’s pardon board to grant him one and to end what has been described by journalist Colin Woodard as “one of the most sordid episodes in Maine legal history.” Woodard has written extensively about the case for the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Friday Job Announcements

Any posts for an open Indian law or leadership job received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that week’s announcement, when the following information is sent to indigenous@law.msu.edu:

  1. In the email body, a typed brief description of the position which includes
    • position title,
    • location (city, state),
    • main duties,
    • closing date,
    • and any other pertinent details such as links to application;
  2. An attached PDF job announcement.

Please send all job announcements in this requested format. For examples, see the job announcements below.

Pueblo of Laguna

RFP, Defense Legal Services, Pueblo of Laguna, NM. Seeks proposal from any law firm or individual practicing attorney to provide legal services for adult criminal defense or representation of juveniles in delinquency proceedings when there is conflict of interest or unavailability of regular defender. Reply by March 4, 2020.

RFP, Prosecutor Legal Services, Pueblo of Laguna, NM. Seeks proposals from any law firm or individual practicing attorney to provide prosecutorial legal services for adult criminal or juvenile delinquency cases when there is conflict of interest or unavailability of regular prosecutor. Reply by March 4, 2020.

Public Defender, Dept: Pueblo Court, Pueblo of Laguna, NM.Full-time attorney to represent adult criminal defendants and juveniles in delinquency cases in Laguna Pueblo Court. Leisurely commute from Albuquerque metro or Grants. Application is open until filled.

Please visit the Pueblo of Laguna website for more information and application instructions at www.lagunapueblo-nsn.gov or you can contact the Human Resources office at (505) 552-6654.

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Paralegal, Fulton, MI. Develops and maintains archive files for all legal projects; Develops procedures for file management and tracking of open project files; Composes memoranda, correspondence, and draft pleadings/documents; and more.For more information and to apply visit the link. Application closes January 28, 2020 at 8:30AM.

Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice

Tribal Prosecutor. This position shall represent the ho-Chunk Nation in the prosecution of criminal code and civil offenses. Coordinate with Ho-Chunk Nation law enforcement for investigations, evaluating evidence, and case preparation. For more information please see the position description. Application form here.

Earthjustice

Deputy Managing Attorney, International Program, San Francisco, CA. The Managing Attorney will directly supervise seven program attorneys and professional staff. Additionally, this role will work with the Managing Attorney and other staff to help develop and lead the program’s growing body of work to speed the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy solutions in key countries around the world. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Summer 2020 Tribal Partnerships Clerkship, Denver, CO or Seattle, WA. Work with attorneys in the Tribal Partnerships Program to conduct legal research, produce legal writing, and help develop outreach and partnership strategies. Under the supervision of an attorney, a law clerk’s primary responsibilities are to perform legal and factual research, and to develop case strategy and legal theories. For more information please see the position description.

The Suquamish Tribe

Forestry Program Manager, Natural Resource Department, Suquamish, WA. The Program Manager manages and mentors program staff, updates and implements the Port Madison Indian Reservation Forest Management Plan, develops and manages program budgets and grants, evaluates program capacity and needs, and develops strategies to address priorities. This position is open until filled

Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Tenured or Tenure-track Law Professor, St. Paul, MN.  Mitchell Hamline School of Law seeks a professor to serve as Co-Director of its Indian Law Program and teach Tribal Law and related courses.  Applications close 1/24/20.  Contact colette.routel@mitchellhamline.edu with questions.

Yurok Tribe

Title IVE Manager, Northern California. To apply please visit www.yuroktribe.org or call (707) 482-1350 for more information.

Martha L. King, P.C., Native Owned Native Law

Associate Attorney, Albuquerque, NM. Provision of business law services to tribal entities, including developing, amending, advocating, negotiating and/or implementing: governing documents, codes and amendments to support self-governance and economic development; employee handbooks and policies and procedures; intergovernmental agreements; and business documents. Open until filled. For more information please see the position description.

Udall Foundation, John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution

(Senior) Program Associate, Tucson, AZ. Support and assist Project and Program Managers to provide NCECR services in facilitation and mediation, project intake, management and contracting of neutral third-party contractor selection, support and management of the neutral contract, and support management of multiple projects simultaneously.  Closing Date of Application: January 27, 2020. For more information visit the website or see the job description.

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Court

Contract Grant Writer, Placerville, CA. This is a short-contract position helping a growing Tribal Court in the preparation and submission of a grant tied to the important work of juvenile justice. Timeframes for submitting proposals are shortened due to upcoming project. Deadline January 27, 2020. Please see description for more information.

Legal Aid of Nebraska

Staff Attorney, Norfolk, NE. Provide legal assistance to Native Americans in tribal, state, and federal forums. Emphasis on representing Native survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking.  Position open until filled. See job description for more information.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)

Tribal Attorney, Office of Legal Counsel, Pendelton, OR. OLC provides legal services and representation to the CTUIR Board of Trustees and all respective tribal departments, managers, and staff.  For more information please see the position description.

Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation

Staff Attorney, Chinle Judicial District, Chinle, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Aneth Judicial District, Aneth, UT. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Dilkon Judicial District, Dilkon, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

Staff Attorney, Kayenta Judicial District, Kayenta, AZ. This position provides complex legal advice and guidance, conducts legal research, and drafts legal documents in support of judges and other court staff. For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org/vacancies. This position is open until filled.

District Court Judge, Judicial District Court, Navajo Nation Wide. The District Court Judge is responsible in presiding over civil, criminal and family court cases; provides policy direction and guidance in the operation of the Judicial District.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. This position shall perform work of unusual difficulty, hear arguments, read briefs and conduct research necessary to pass judgment and issue rulings on cases brought before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.  For more information, please see the position description or to apply, visit http://www.navajocourts.org. This position is open until filled.

See posts from January 10, 2020.