Research

Friday Job Announcements

Arianna Morseau

To post an open Indian law or leadership job to Turtle Talk, send all of the following information to indigenous@law.msu.edu

In the email body:

A typed brief description of the position which includes

  • Position title
  • Location (city, state)
  • Main duties
  • Closing date
  • Any other pertinent details, such as a link to the application
  • An attached PDF job announcement or link to the position description

Kalispel Tribe

Staff Attorney. Airway Heights, WA. The Kalispel Tribe’s Legal Department provides a wide variety of services to the Tribal government, its programs, and economic enterprises. This position provides legal representation to the Tribe with an emphasis on complex land use agreements and acquisitions, easements, and drafting/reviewing contracts including, but not limited to, 638 contracts. This position works closely with the finance, development, and housing departments in establishing and interpreting regulations regarding development, realty, and the General Welfare Exclusion Act. Closing Date: open until filled.

Federal Defender of New Mexico

Assistant Federal Defender – Trial Attorney. Albuquerque and Las Cruces, NM. Main duties are: managing a varied caseload, developing litigation strategies, preparing pleadings, appearing in court at all stages of litigation, and meeting with clients, experts, witnesses, family members and others. Closing date for posting is 07/30/2023.

Puyallup Tribe of Indians

Assistant Prosecutor/Presenting Officer. Tacoma, WA. Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing assigned activities of the Prosecutor’s Office and serves as the Assistant Prosecutor/Presenting Officer for the Tribe. Open until filled.

Alliance for Felix Cove

Administrative Assistant. San Francisco, CA. The A4FC is seeking a highly organized and proactive individual to join our small non-profit organization as an Administrative Assistant reporting to the Founder/Executive Director (ED). This role is responsible for the administrative needs of the Founder/Executive Director and is crucial in supporting the Founder/Executive Director in their day-to-day operations, enabling them to focus on strategic initiatives and overall organizational effectiveness. Open until filled.

Pueblo of Laguna

In-House Attorney. Laguna, NM. Full-time attorney to provide legal advice, draft codes and policies, assist with transactions, and protect government interests performing general counsel legal work.  One of three In-house attorneys. Works with Pueblo officials and management under supervision of Government Affairs Director.  Mostly transactional with some litigation.  Compensation DOE, open until filled. Public Defender. Laguna, NM. Full-time attorney to represent and advocate for adults in criminal cases and juveniles in delinquency cases before Laguna Pueblo Court when accused of violating Pueblo of Laguna law.  Advocates for Pueblo community members to achieve justice and rehabilitation.  One of two legal positions in Community Legal Services division and shares full-time assistant with the Pueblo’s legal aid attorney, works under supervision of Government Affairs Director.  Compensation DOE, open until filled. Prosecutor. Laguna, NM. Full-time attorney to prosecute adult criminal defendants and juveniles in Laguna Pueblo Court for violating Laguna Pueblo law.  Advocates for the Pueblo to achieve justice and rehabilitation.  Works in office having a full-time assistant and victim’s advocate, and is under supervision of the Pueblo Governor.  Compensation DOE, open until filled.

New Mexico Legal Aid

Director – Native American Program. Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. For this position, the Director is responsible for overseeing the Native American Program including: the provisions of legal services; performing administrative duties, and working in close collaboration with other members of NMLA’s management team; organizing and participating in community education and outreach activities to the various Pueblo communities; collaborating with tribal agencies and organizations; being active in local bar and community activities. Closing date: 7/1/2023.

Litigation/Casework Manger – Native American Program. Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. For this position, Litigation/Casework Manager is primarily responsible for: Providing oversight over NAP’s legal work; ensuring compliance with Legal Services Corporation regulations regarding Native American Grant funding; ensuring that NAP is meeting the legal priorities in conformance of New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc., and the Native American program policies and procedures. Closing date: 7/1/2023.

Staff Attorney – Native American Program. Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. For this position, the NAP Staff Attorney will be responsible for: Provided, legal services in several jurisdictions, which include many Pueblo Courts and New Mexico state courts; Services range from full in-court representation to brief services, and/or advice and counsel; NAP attorneys work on a variety of civil legal issue. Closing date: 7/1/2023.

Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas

Prosecutor. Remote. Reprsent the Tribe in prosecution of adults and juveniles. · Draft and review various legal complaints, pleadings, motions, discoveries, documents, and correspondence necessary. · Prepare for and attend hearings and casework· Represent the Tribe at meetings, court proceedings and other functions. · Assist with the development and maintenance of case files, calendars and databases. · Assist in the development, revision and modification of the Tribe’s laws, resolutions and ordinances. · Comply with tribal, state, and federal governmental regulations; maintaining an ethical practice in respect to the Tribe, Tribal Courts, judicial system and clients. · Conduct all necessary case preparation before Tribal Court hearings and trial. Perform other related duties as assigned.  Closing Date: Until Filled.

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate

Prosecutor. Agency Village, SD. Prosecutor is responsible for prosecution of all crimes that occur within the jurisdiction of the Lake Traverse Reservation. Prosecutor also handles child protection matters which may include assistance with Indian Child Welfare Act cases. Closing Date: Open until filled.

Native American Rights Fund

Staff Attorney. Boulder, CO or Washington, D.C. Remote work considered. The Native American Rights Fund is a non-profit national Indian law firm representing Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals in Indian law matters of major significance.  NARF’s main office is in Boulder, Colorado, with additional offices in Washington, D.C. and Anchorage, Alaska.  NARF is looking for an experienced attorney with excellent research and writing skills to assume a water rights and litigation docket.  NARF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Closing Date: Open until filled with interviews beginning in July.

 

 

DOJ Report on Minneapolis Police Discrimination Against Black and Indigenous People

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

DOJ Report on Minneapolis Police.pdfDownload

Haaland v. Brackeen Webinar

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On June 15th, The United States Supreme Court has issued an opinion in the highly anticipated Haaland v. Brackeen case. The litigation involving three foster families, Texas, four intervening tribes and countless amici came to an end after nearly seven years. The Court’s holdings implicate both Indian Child Welfare Act practice and federal Indian law practice. Join Kate Fort for an overview of the decision.

Register Today 

Kate Fort on: Haaland v. Brackeen Decision
Wednesday, June 21st, 12-1:15pm PT
CLE pending*

Visit The Whitener Group Trainings for more information and to register
Click here for the save the date flyer, please share with your networks!

Bay Mills to host 5th Noojimo’iwewin: The VAWA & ICWA Training

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5th Noojimo’iwewin Training

August 2-4, 2023 in-person and online

Hosted at the Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Brimly, MI

Register today for this tuition free training

CLE and CEU credits are pending submission and approval.

—–

Full Press Release:

BAY MILLS — Bay Mills Indian Community will host its annual Noojimo’iwewin: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Training on Aug. 2-4. In its 5th year, Noojimo’iwewin will focus on Best Practices In Motion: Growing Into our Best Systems. Registration is open and this training is free of charge. 

Each year BMIC strives to bring national experts and timely content to this training. “Really great information” said a 2022 attendee about this domestic violence and child welfare training, “I loved the opportunity to have the starting conversations on this topic and on what to bring back to my organization for our community.”

The 2023 Noojimo’iwewin will feature several hands-on units for attorneys, judges, court clerk personnel, social workers, victim advocates, law enforcement and anyone who works in areas involving violence against women. Attendees can anticipate being surrounded by fellow professionals and community members all with the same undertaking: Growing into our best systems to heal our communities from family violence.

Each unit is designed to assess and refine attendees’ effective service strategies for community safety. The training units are facilitated by engaging, expert faculty and panelists from around Michigan and the United States. 

Tentative topics include:

  • Working with DV coalitions
  • Working with survivors
  • Healing to Wellness Courts
  • How to partner with law enforcement in DV cases
  • Innovations DV court practices
  • The Brackeen decision

BMIC, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is home to Bay Mills Resort & Casino, the site of this training. While in the area, attendees can enjoy local activities such as the Farmer’s Market, Mission Hill Overlook, Whitefish Point Lighthouse, and the fresh waters of Lake Superior.

If you cannot attend the training in-person, Noojimo’iwewin continues to be available virtually. 

Both in-person and online attendees will be asked to connect by using the interactive event platform, Whova. Whova holds all training details. Attendees can register and sign in to see the agenda, speaker details, and presentation materials, plus get to know each other through Community discussion boards, group chats, and more. Be sure to download Whova to your mobile device to learn more.

This training is pending approval for Minnesota Continuing Legal Education and Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Units. Registration is free and still open. When registering, be sure to accurately note if you will attend in-person or online. In-person attendees must book their room at the Bay Mills Resort & Casino by July 15–mention the VAWA ICWA Training to hold your spot. Contact trainings@whitenergroup.biz with questions. 

California Federal Court Dismisses Buena Vista Rancheria Nuisance Suit against Neighboring Polluter for Lack of Ripeness

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians v. Pacific Coast Building Products Inc. (E.D. Cal.):

1 Complaint.pdfDownload
8 Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
25 Opposition.pdfDownload
31 Reply.pdfDownload
33 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Supreme Court Decides Allen v. Milligan (Voting Rights)

Matthew Campbell

On June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States in Allen v Milligan upheld the lower court’s determination that the newly adopted Alabama congressional maps likely violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. After lower courts found that Alabama’s most recent redistricting likely violated the Voting Rights Act, the state chose to appeal the case rather than draw non-discriminatory electoral districts. The state argued that, contrary to the protections embodied in the Voting Rights Act, race should not be taken into consideration in redistricting efforts. The Supreme Court disagreed.

Last July, the National Congress of American Indians, represented by NARF, filed an amicus brief in the case arguing against the proposal to eliminate race from redistricting considerations. Participating in American democracy provides Native Americans the opportunity to remedy past injustices by electing representatives who understand and honor Native Nations’ political status within American federalism, who will advance treaty rights, advocate for basic resources, and respect and value Native Americans’ contributions to this country.

The brief explained that there is an ongoing and critical need for Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to address racial discrimination and contemporary voter suppression that dilutes Native American votes and political power. In fact, the only Section 2 enforcement action brought by the Department of Justice during President Trump’s tenure was a challenge to an at-large district that prevented the election of Native American candidates of choice to a school board.

Celebrating MSU’s Indigenous Law and Policy Center Graduates

Arianna Morseau

On May 11, 2023, Michigan State University’s Indigenous Law & Policy Center celebrated its’ 2023 graduates! Below are some photos from this event.

U.S. (EPA) v. Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership

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United States – Motion for Entry Seventh Modification of Consent Decree
United States – Memorandum in Support of Motion for Entry Seventh Modification of Consent Decree
Exhibit 1 – Proposed Order
Exhibit 2 – Public Comments
Exhibit 3 – Response to Public Comments

Our Stories Heal – Ginoojimomin Apii Dibaajimoyang [Recording]

Arianna Morseau

The full recording can be found here.

In 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. This initiative, which includes gathering records from the boarding school era, and compiling an official list of boarding school sites, makes visible on a national scale the intergenerational impact federal Indian board schools have had on tribal communities. Currently, there are five schools in the state of Michigan that were identified from the federal investigation process (Holy Childhood Boarding School, Baraga Chippewa Boarding and Day School (Holy Name), Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School, Mackinac Mission School, and Catholic Otchippewa Boarding School). This is not an extensive list of all the other entities, schools, and programs that operated in Michigan through the Indian Civilization Act of 1819.

The Native Justice Coalition’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was launched in July 2022. It seeks to expand its reach to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in an effort to seek the truth behind the Indian boarding school policies and corresponding actions taken by the government and church. Through this work, the NJC provides safe, supportive, and culturally competent spaces that offer opportunities for healing and uniting our Native communities on this journey. Our goals are to create an Indigenous-led process that is grounded in mutual respect, culturally sensitive, and focused on meeting clearly defined, jointly agreed upon metrics. Our key four priorities are truth and reconciliation, healing our people and our communities, strengthening ICWA and ensuring a cultural identity for our children, and building a strong ecosystem through investment in the Native Justice Coalition.

Without support from community partners such as the Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Native American Institute, and American Indian and Indigenous Studies at Michigan State University, this work would not be possible. This one-day symposium honors that work on a local scale, providing Michigan State University, and the greater Lansing community an opportunity to learn about the intergenerational trauma caused by federal Indian boarding school policies. Attendees will hear first-hand accounts from boarding school survivors and others who can provide the legal, social, and historical context of the Indian boarding schools. By joining together in community to share stories and voices, the symposium provides a space for knowledge and healing.