Turtle Talk

Friday Job Announcements

June 22, 2018September 21, 2018Neoshia Roemer1 Comment

Job vacancies are posted on Fridays. Any posts received prior to 12pm EST on Friday will appear in that Friday’s announcements. If you would like to submit a post for an Indian law or leadership job, please send a PDF job announcement and a brief description of job to indigenous@law.msu.edu.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Staff Attorney, Racial Justice Program, New York City, N.Y. The Racial Justice Program is seeking a full-time attorney to handle Indian Rights cases, along with other racial justice cases, in its National Office in New York City. A J.D. is required, eligibility to be admitted to the New York Bar within one year of hire, and a minimum of five years of experience is strongly preferred. Please see the website for more information.

Indigenous Justice Legal Fellow, Missoula, M.T. Reporting to the Legal Director, the IJ Legal Fellow will work with Indigenous communities throughout Montana and provide litigation support based on community initiative and demand. The ACLU-MT works on a variety of issues that impact Indigenous people – including tribal sovereignty, voting rights, education equity and school discipline, discrimination in employment and housing, and the criminalization of poverty. Over the past two years we have worked to build Indigenous Justice into every aspect of our organization through building relationships with Indigenous leaders and community members and prioritizing issues identified by Indigenous communities. We have increased our organizing presence in Indigenous communities throughout the state, and are now ready to expand the program by hiring a Legal Fellow committed to supporting Indigenous Justice. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal for a second year. This position is designed to help attorneys in the early stages of their careers develop into thoughtful, professional, and effective advocates skilled in the various phases of Indigenous Justice litigation. Please see the website for more information.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe

Staff Attorney, Longview & Ridgefield, W.A. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking a Staff Attorney to work in the Cowlitz Legal Department. The Staff Attorney is responsible for preparing and analyzing contracts, legal documents, and the Tribal Constitution, codes, and ordinances. The Staff Attorney will be the Prosecutor for the Cowlitz Tribal Court in criminal and civil actions for Tribal issues on the Cowlitz Indian Reservation areas. The Staff Attorney will report directly to and assist the General Counsel with issues and activities concerning tribal legal rights, obligations, and privileges. Starting salary ranges from $80k to $120k, depending on qualifications. Please see the announcement for more information.

Yavapai-Apache Nation

Chief Judge, Camp Verde, A.Z. The Yavapai-Apache Nation is seeking a Chief Judge to serve a two-year term. The Chief Judge presides over and ensures the proper operation of the Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court. The Chief Judge is the primary judicial officer of the Tribal Court and the administrator of the Nation’s courts. Applications close on July 27, 2018. Please see the announcement for more information.

Water Protector Legal Collective

Bookkeeper/Office Manager, Mandan, N.D. The Water Protector Legal Collective is looking for a Bookeeper/Office Manager. Applicants for this position must be proficient in Excel, Word, and QuickBooks; have excellent written/verbal communication skills; the ability to multitask and work in a timely manner; experience in bookkeeping and records management; and maintain confidentiality at all times. WPLC is seeking applicants with a commitment to water protector and indigenous defense and have no ties to law enforcement or the oil industry. Preference will be given to candidates who have a degree in bookkeeping or closely related field from an accredited institution. Please see the announcement for more information.

Staff Attorney, Mandan, N.D. This is a unique opportunity for a prospective movement lawyer to obtain extensive criminal defense and movement legal support training and mentorship. Recent law grads are welcome to apply, and WPLC is willing to support the right candidate through writing the bar in North Dakota and possibly elsewhere as needed. Extensive training and mentorship opportunities will be provided, working alongside some of the most dedicated and experienced movement lawyers in the country. The Staff Attorney will play a key role in WPLC’s ongoing efforts to defend Water Protectors with state criminal charges in North Dakota, and engage in new legal work to support the broader Indigenous-led movement to protect the earth and efforts to expand and advance Indigenous sovereignty and rights that was inspired by the historic gathering of Indigenous nations that occurred at Standing Rock. Please see the announcement for more information.

Ho-Chunk Nation

Senior Staff Attorney, Black River Falls, W.I. Under minimal direction, this professional management-level classification provides legal support to the court; advises the court on legal aspects of administrative and operational issues; performs difficult and complex legal work; provides oversight of individuals or agencies having professional contracts with the court; and directs subordinate staff. Receives general direction from the Chief Judge. This position is distinguished from the Staff Attorney/Law Clerk position in that it provides direction and supervision to other research staff, if any, and has oversight responsibility for contract employees providing professional services. Please see the announcement for more information.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Assistant Attorney General, Tucson, A.Z. The Assistant Attorney General represents the Pascua Yaqui Tribe by providing nonpartisan legal advice and representation to officials, agencies, departments, divisions, enterprises, and other entities of the Tribe’s government. Please see the website for more information.

Frederick Peebles & Morgan, LLP

Associate Attorney, Omaha, N.E. Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP has developed a reputation as aggressive litigators, advocates, and accomplished negotiators. Our dynamic team of attorneysoffer a diverse skill set and are able to tackle the toughest and most complex issues facing tribal governments, tribal corporations, and Native Americans. We are seeking an ambitious entry-level Associate Attorney for our Omaha, Nebraska office. You must possess excellent legal writing and research, communication, and interpersonal skills. Please see the job announcement for more information.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Tribal Prosecutor, Mashpee, M.A. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is seeking a Tribal Prosecutor to represent the tribe in criminal prosecutions and civil code violations in tribal court. Please see the job announcement for more information.

Last week’s postings: June 15, 2018.

Press Release of Letter from the Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa of Indians to AG Jeff Sessions and DHS Secretary Nielsen RE Zero Tolerance Policy

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018Neoshia Roemer

Please see the release here.

Update: NICWA Deputy Director Application Deadline Extended until June 25

June 22, 2018Neoshia Roemer

NICWA has extended the deadline for applications for its Deputy Director position until June 25, 2018. Please visit their website for more information.

Federal Magistrate Recommends Dismissal of ICRA Habeas for Failure to Exhaust [Kewa Pueblo]

June 22, 2018September 19, 2018Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here are the materials so far in Aguilar v. Rodriguez (D.N.M.):

1 habeas petition

9 santo domingo answer

11 magistrate report

NAICJA Statement on U.S. Separation Policy

June 21, 2018Neoshia Roemer1 Comment

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION SERVING TRIBAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS SINCE 1969

1942 BROADWAY, SUITE 321 / BOULDER, CO 80302 | PHONE 303.449.4112 | FAX 303.449.4038

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 21, 2018

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION REGARDING THE SEPARATION OF CHILDREN POLICY AT THE U.S. BORDER

The National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) welcomes the halt to separation of children from their parents at the border. NAICJA deplores the wholesale separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border without the due process of law. This devastating policy imposed undue suffering upon immigrant children. NAICJA hopes, that while brief, this episode is not soon repeated for any class of children, regardless of status, location, or parental issues. This was a trauma imposed upon children that this country should never allow.

At this time, the agencies have not identified a plan for the reunification of the thousands of children who have been separated from their families. As judges who receive continued judicial training on trauma, and who encourage the implementation of trauma-informed practices, we understand the continued harm that is occurring in these circumstances. NAICJA calls for the immediate reunification of families in order to minimize the irreparable harm experienced by these children, the most vulnerable of all people.

Members of NAICJA, sitting in tribal communities, know too well the harm, suffering, and misery experienced by these children. We as Native Americans have our worst memories resurrected when we see children torn from their parents at the hands of law enforcement, taken to unknown locations, and with an unknown path to reunification. We as a people have historically suffered the consequences of such forceful removal of its children from parents and caretakers that created inter- generational harm that we as courts and professionals still struggle to address. Most recently, Native Americans observed the repatriation of native children’s remains from distant boarding school cemeteries, having died far from home in the 19th and early 20th century. The emotional and spiritual devastation experienced from the forced removal of native children from their parents is still being felt in our communities today, and NAICJA feels compelled to speak out against this practice in the present and future.

We urge all to remember the adverse effect upon these immigrant children when they are removed from their parents. Not only do these children suffer immediate trauma, but their chance for a productive and happy lives are significantly reduced by such experiences. As judges, we see the effects of trauma upon children in our juvenile and family courts. In all court proceedings in which we as tribal judges participate, “the best interest of the child” is of prime concern. This standard should apply to all children. All children deserve to be in a safe, permanent, and stable home.

AN IRS 501 (c)(3) CORPORATION | FEDERAL ID #84-0611428

We are thankful the current separation policy has ended, and NAICJA urges the speedy reunification of the children with their families. NAICJA further urges that regardless of future public policies, the safety and humane treatment of children always be foremost in our Nation’s heart.

Hon. Richard Blake, President NAICJA Board of Directors

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION | 1942 Broadway, Suite 321 | Boulder, CO 80302 | Tel. 303.449.4112 | Fax 303.449.4038