American Law Institute

ALI-CLE: “American Indian Law Developments” w/ Fletcher — Nov. 13, 2024 @ Noon

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Why You Should Attend

From the early 19th century to today, U.S. Supreme Court decisions have significantly shaped the lives and rights of American Indian communities. These rulings impact critical areas like governance, jurisdiction, natural resource management, and religious freedoms. By attending this course, you will gain valuable insights into the legal struggles and triumphs that have defined American Indian history. The program highlights key issues such as tribal sovereignty, land rights, treaty obligations, and cultural preservation, showing how the Supreme Court has influenced the legal landscape of American Indian rights.

What You Will Learn

Attendees will dive into the evolving field of American Indian law with a special focus on U.S. Supreme Court decisions that directly affect tribal sovereignty, land rights, and treaty obligations. With these legal issues becoming increasingly relevant in today’s practice—impacting areas like environmental law and civil rights—understanding the foundational cases and legal challenges faced by Native communities is critical. This course will arm you with the knowledge to address these complex legal questions with confidence and precision.

Questions will be submitted live to the faculty and all registrants will receive downloadable course materials to accompany the program.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for attorneys who are interested in or currently practicing in areas that intersect with Native American law. It is particularly valuable for those working in fields related to civil rights, land use, environmental law, and government relations, as well as those involved in representing tribal governments or advocating for Native communities.

Additionally, public officials, policymakers, and educators seeking to broaden their understanding of tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the historical context of U.S. Supreme Court decisions impacting Native American law will benefit greatly from the insights provided in this program. Whether you are seeking to enhance your legal practice or simply deepen your knowledge of the complexities of Native American legal issues, this course offers essential learning for anyone committed to justice and equity in this vital area of law.

PBS Visionaries Documentary on American Law Institute [featuring Indian Law in part]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Reasonably Speaking Podcast — “American Indian Law: When Two Sovereigns Collide”

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

In this episode, renowned experts on American Indian law and policy, Matthew Fletcher and Wenona Singel, discuss the nuanced and highly complex field of American Indian Law. Matthew and Wenona begin by exploring the history of tribal sovereignty, and discuss the rights of American Indians as both tribal citizens and U.S. citizens.  We then explore jurisdiction across border lines, particularly in a criminal context. Matthew and Wenona discuss the history of violence against native women, and why, until recently, prosecution has been so difficult. The history of and current U.S. court challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act are also examined.

Update on Restatement of the Law of American Indians

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

From the American Law Institute:

Matthew Fletcher Presents Indian Law Restatement

Matthew Fletcher, Reporter on the Restatement of the Law, The Law of American Indians, and Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law, recently presented on the Restatement and why it matters to everyday practitioners, at the Spokane County Bar Association’s Sixth Annual Indian Law Conference. The first chapter of the Restatement was presented to the membership for approval on May 19. Sections one through nine of the Restatement were approved. The sections include topics focusing on Indian tribes, federal-tribal relationship, American-Indian Treaty Law, federal legislation, and breach of trust claims.

ALI Annual Meeting Reception at NMAI

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Pics

   
     

American Law Institute Q&A with Fletcher

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here:

Q&A with Matthew Fletcher

ALI Announcement on the Restatement, Third, The Law of American Indians

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here.

An excerpt:

The Restatement Third, The Law of American Indians, aims to cement a set of generally agreed-upon foundational principles that could shape further developments in the field. Topics to be considered include federal/tribal relations, state/tribal relations, tribal jurisdiction and authority, and Indian Country business law. Matthew L. M. Fletcher of Michigan State University College of Law has been appointed Reporter for the project. Wenona T. Singel, also of Michigan State, and Kaighn Smith, Jr., of Drummond Woodsum in Portland, ME, will serve as Associate Reporters. View the lists of project participants.

Anyone with a serious interest in being a part of this project should apply for membership with the ALI. The next deadline is Jan. 15, 2013.

ALI Approves Commencement of Restatement of the Law of American Indians

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

Project participants are here.

Matthew Fletcher, Wenona Singel, and Kaighn Smith are the reporters. As we move forward, we will be sure to make materials available to Indian country. Also, to learn more about ALI membership, see here.

American Law Institute Proposed Project on American Indian Law

Matthew L.M. Fletcher3 Comments

Today, I will be make a presentation at the 2012 American Law Institute annual meeting (agenda here) in support of a proposed restatement or principles project on American Indian Law.

I organized a meeting on behalf of the ALI in March here in D.C. to discuss whether the ALI could effectively contribute the field (coverage of the meeting is here):

On March 29, the Institute hosted a conference on American Indian law at The Mayflower in Washington, DC, to discuss whether the ALI could produce work that would have a positive impact in the area of American Indian law. Among those attending the meeting, moderated by Professor Matthew L.M. Fletcher of Michigan State University College of Law, were government officials, judges, practitioners, and law professors with expertise in the field, including Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler; Arvo Mikkanen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma; Jon M. Sands, Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona; Judges William Cameron Canby, Jr., and William A. Fletcher of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; Judge Diane P. Wood, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; Patricia Ann Millett of Akin Gump in Washington, DC; John E. Echohawk of the Native American Rights Fund; Dean Kevin K. Washburn of the University of New Mexico School of Law; and Dean Stacy L. Leeds of the University of Arkansas School of Law.