Research – Page 157 – Turtle Talk

Task Force Report Recommending Broad Changes to Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act

January 17, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the report:

indianclaimstffinalreport.pdf

News coverage here.

New Mexico COA Adopts Federal Test of “Indian” Status for Purposes of Criminal Jurisdiction

January 17, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in State v. Salazar:

state-v-salazar.pdf

New Mexico Supreme Court Upholds Tribal Sovereignty

January 17, 2020April 15, 2020Neoshia Roemer

In Mendoza v. Isleta Resort and Casino, the New Mexico Supreme Court heard the case of a party who wished to circumvent tribal procedures for a worker’s compensation claim. Ultimately, the New Mexico Supreme Court’s holding is a big win for tribal sovereignty, as it requires an express waiver of sovereignty before permitting a state action to commence over a dispute arising on tribal property. Read more here and listen to the oral arguments here.

Briefs:

Mendoza Opening Brief

Deadline Approaching for Pre-Law Advisor Training Conference

January 16, 2020Monica Williamson

Registration is open until January 24 for the Pre-Law Advisor Training Conference, February 4-5, 2020 at the Isleta Resort and Casino. Visit ailc-inc.org/pre-law-advisors-training for more information and to register.

Identify, Advise, and Support Native Pre-Law Students

Recent scholarship by the American Bar Association establishes that although the total number of Native American law students has steadily increased over the past four decades, legal education in the United States includes very few Native American law students, professors, and/or administrators. It is clear that progress is needed. The Native student population remains well below one percent of the total J.D. enrollment (The Pursuit of Inclusion: An In depth Exploration of the Experiences and Perspectives of Native American Attorneys in the Legal Profession).

Many Native American attorneys report that their decision to pursue legal education was strongly influenced by personal interaction and the persuasion of family, mentors, lawyers, and other professionals. The Pathways to the Legal Profession Conference aims to increase the number of competitive Native law school applicants nationwide by providing mentors necessary skills and resources to identify, advise, and support the next generation of Indigenous attorneys.

Community and Social Network

We invite advisors with an array of titles and responsibilities to attend the conference. This includes community members such as teachers and youth mentors, as well as those who specifically advise American Indian students interested in applying to law school such as educators, school administrators, and pre-law advisors.

This Training Includes…

Keynote session featuring Indian Law professor, Matthew L.M. Fletcher, outlining the need for Native Attorneys
Strategies to identify students who possess qualities that may translate to success in law school
Workshop on applying to law school, covering topics such as advising applicants on their personal statements, resumes, and supplemental statements (including diversity statements and other addenda); financing law school; LSAT Overview; and law school selection
Panel discussion with current Native law students
A national network of pre-law advisors to American Indian prospective law school applicant

Please note, if you are a student interested in law school consider applying to the Native American Pipeline to Law Initiative Admissions Workshop.

Minnesota SCT Confirms Authority of Tribal Police to Detain and Expel Non-Indians from Rez

January 16, 2020Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in State v. Thompson:

state-v.-thompson.pdf

The court’s syllabus:

When, on the Red Lake Reservation, a non-Indian violates a Minnesota law under circumstances where the non-Indian is subject to the State of Minnesota’s criminal jurisdiction, Red Lake Band police officers are authorized to detain and expel the non-Indian from the Reservation.

Gloria Valencia-Weber reappointed to board for Legal Services Corporation

January 16, 2020Monica Williamson

University of New Mexico Emeritus Professor of Law Gloria Valencia-Weber was recently sworn in as one of 11 members of the Board of Directors for Legal Services Corporation, the single largest provider of civil legal aid for the poor in the nation. Valencia-Weber was originally appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010, and was one of six selected for reappointment. Article here.