Save the Date is here: Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas 2nd Judicial Symposium
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Vote for Skate Board Park on the Port Gamble S’Klallam Reservation
The Tribe submitted a grant proposal the the Ryan Sheckler Foundation to build a skate board park here on the Rez. Theirs was one of the four finalist and the winner will be determined by email votes. Each email address is allowed one vote every 24 hours.You can vote every day at http://www.shecklerfoundation.org/be-the-change-vote
More details here.
Help Raise Awareness about the Epidemic of Violence against Native Women in the U.S.
The Indian Law Resource Center is proud to release the longer, uncut version of the Center’s powerful “To The Indigenous Woman” video poem, written and produced by Ryan Red Corn. The video is raising awareness about violence against Native women as Congress considers the reauthorization of VAWA. Visit http://www.indianlaw.org and Do Something!
Now is the time to seek changes that will improve the safety of Native communities, provide access to justice, and ensure that all perpetrators of violence against Native women are brought to justice. Contact your Senators and urge them to support the VAWA Reauthorization bill. Tell them Native women count and deserve protection too!
Lawyer for Madison County Sued for Violating State Finance Laws in Defending Land Claims
Commentary: Using the UN Declaration to End the Epidemic of Violence Against Native Women
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples signals a new means to change federal law and policy to restore safety to Native women, to strengthen Indian nations and advance their jurisdiction over crimes within their territories, and to end the cycle of violence in Native communities.
The right to be safe and live free from violence is one of the most fundamental and important human rights recognized internationally. Continue reading
Upcoming Talk in St. Paul on Practice in Tribal Courts
Professor (and Tribal Judge) Mary Jo Hunter and I will be speaking on practicing in tribal courts at the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association Conference this Saturday. Here’s the full agenda. CLE credit is available.
Squaxin Island Tribe (WA) Seeks In-house Staff Attorney
The Squaxin Island Tribe, located near Olympia, Washington, seeks a staff attorney to join their practice group of five attorneys.
Approximately 40% of time will be devoted to Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) and related matters. Seeking a candidate with a demonstrated commitment to ICWA and child welfare related matters. Primary responsibility will be to serve the Tribe’s Department of Social and Health Services, particularly as related to planning, organizing and directing assigned ICW/Child Welfare, Youth, Truancy and Juvenile civil cases within the Legal Department, and to serve as presenting officer for Tribe.
Remaining 60% of time devoted to legal services covering a broad range of tribal government and federal Indian law issues as a member of the attorney staff. Principal areas of Tribal practice include general government infrastructure needs, real estate transactions, commercial transactions, zoning and land use, water rights, housing and utilities, environmental protection, Indian gaming, business transactions, employment matters and economic development. Seeking a candidate with willingness to work collaboratively with other staff attorneys as needed, including as aide to principal attorney in litigation and administrative hearings.
Minimum qualifications include two years experience practicing in tribal, federal or state Court; in good standing as a member of the Washington State Bar Association (or able to become licensed in Washington within 120 days); and working knowledge of federal Indian law principles and their interplay with state law.
Additional information at http://www.squaxinisland.org/2011/12/10575/
Canada Spies On Eighteen First Nations With Wide-Ranging Surveillance Network
Just weeks after Aboriginal Affairs of Canada admitted to spying on First Nations child advocate Cindy Blackstock (here’s the Nov. 14 APTN story) another story was just released which shows that the RCMP was doing the same to eighteen First Nations throughout the country. Here’s the story, which includes links to an RCMP slide show presentation and 2009 Strategic Intelligence Report.
The federal government created a wide-ranging surveillance network in early 2007 to monitor protests by First Nations, including those that would garner national attention or target “critical infrastructure” like highways, railways and pipelines, according to RCMP documents obtained through access to information requests. Formed after the Conservatives came to power, the RCMP unit’s mandate was to collect and disseminate intelligence about situations involving First Nations that have “escalated to civil disobedience and unrest in the form of protest actions.” According to a RCMP slide-show presentation from the spring of 2009, the intelligence unit reported weekly to approximately 450 recipients in law enforcement, government, and unnamed “industry partners” in the energy and private sector.
URGENT: U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs’ Hearing on S. 1763, the Stand Against Violence and Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act
On November 10, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. (EST), the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a legislative hearing on S. 1763, the Stand Against Violence and Empower (SAVE) Native Women Act.
Raise Awareness and Help End the Epidemic of Violence against Native Women in the U.S.
Please Share this Video from the Indian Law Resource Center
Native women are murdered at 10 times the national rate; 1 out 3 Native women will be raped in her lifetime, and 3 out of 5 physically assaulted. Even worse, 88% of the perpetrators are non-Indian and cannot be prosecuted by tribal governments. Stand and take action now to restore safety and justice for Native women. Do Something! Visit www.indianlaw.org.
Turtle Talk 
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