Here.
* the smartest PEOPLE in the room. -KF
Oklahoma City Journal Record Op-Ed: “Government leaders should learn from tribes”
Here.
* the smartest PEOPLE in the room. -KF
Chickasaw Nation
Comanche Effort to Shut Down Chickasaw Casino Fails for Now
Here are the materials in Comanche Nation of Oklahoma v. Zinke (W.D. Okla.):
Friday Job Announcements
Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Spring 2018 Law Clerk, Washington, D.C. The Democratic staff of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is offering an unpaid legal clerkship to a current law student or recent law graduate for the Spring of 2018. The law clerk will be responsible for performing legal research, preparing memoranda for professional staff, participating in preparation for hearings, and composing a variety of written materials. Law Clerks must be able to write quickly and clearly, be flexible in adjusting to changing circumstances and legislative priorities, and be self-starters capable of taking responsibility for ongoing projects. Applicants should have an interest in Federal Indian Law. The clerkship provides an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge on how a Senate Committee works to pass legislation and conducts oversight on federal agencies, programs and policy implementation. Full-time applicants preferred; part-time applicants welcome. Interested applicants should apply by emailing a cover letter indicating availability (start date and hours per week), a resume, and brief writing sample to resumes@indian.senate.gov. Indicate “Spring 2018 Internship” in the subject line. All application materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm EST on November 9, 2017. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
National Indian Country Training Coordinator
Behavioral Health Program Manager, Washington, D.C. Will work with the Director of Public Health Policy and Programs to implement project activities, conduct evaluation, prepare reports, identify and address areas for program quality improvement, and write grants to ensure the sustainability of current programs and advance the organization’s behavioral health/public health goals.
Chickasaw Nation
Assistant General Counsel, Ada, O.K. Provides legal advice and consultation to various departments, divisions, or programs of the Nation, participates in routine legal actions, may provide support and/or participate in major legal actions, prepares and reviews contracts and other documents for departments of the Nation.
Previous Friday Job Announcements: 10/27/2017
Friday Job Announcements
Job vacancies are posted on Friday. Some announcements might still appear throughout the week. If you would like your Indian law job posted on Turtle Talk, please email indigenous@law.msu.edu.
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
DV Prosecutor. Responsible for prosecution of Domestic Violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking cases on the Menominee Indian Reservation and coordinate and work with the Courts, Law Enforcement, Probation-Parole, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault Workers to reduce domestic violence on the Menominee Reservation and encourage arrest procedures and enforcement of protection orders. Apply online.
Swinomish Tribe
Staff Attorney. To apply, submit the following: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Employment Application (you may request this application via email); Office of Tribal Attorney Application Addendum; over letter including an explanation of the applicant’s interest in the position, along with current resume, the names and contact information for at least 3 professional references, and two writing samples to:
Wendy A. Otto
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
11404 Moorage Way
La Conner, Washington 98257
E-mail: wotto@swinomish.nsn.us
Chickasaw Nation
Associate General Counsel, Ada, OK. Provide CNDC leadership with sound and solution-oriented legal representation and policy analysis. Job ID: 49415
Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson, & Perry LLP
2018 Summer Associates. A national law firm dedicated to representing Native American interests in a wide range of endeavors – including trial and appellate litigation, federal Indian law, tribal law, Indian self-determination and self-governance matters, transportation and infrastructure, natural resources, and economic development, among others – is currently recruiting incoming 2L students for 2018 summer associate positions. Interested applicants should send the following to Will Stephens, Partner at wstephens@sonosky.com (please also copy kwray@sonosky.com):
- Cover letter;
- Resume;
- Transcript; and
- Writing sample (a writing sample relevant to our practice area is preferred, but not necessary).
Interested applicants should send this information no later than Thursday, August 31, 2017.
Previous Friday Jobs Announcement: 6/9/17
Historic Water Agreement Between Oklahoma and Tribes
Chickasaw Nation Indian Child Welfare Attorney Vacancy
Link to job announcement here.
Position closes: 08/24/16
Indian Child Welfare Attorney
This position represents the Chickasaw Nation in juvenile deprived cases arising under the Indian Child Welfare Act in both in-state and out-of-state courts. Extensive travel is involved. Working knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act and courtroom experience are highly desirable.
Unreported ICWA Placement Preference Case out of California
Here.
Very difficult case with extensive testimony. Child was ultimately placed with distant cousins instead of grandparents with a history with the department. The court found good cause to deviate from the tribe’s preferences of matrilineal relatives.
Because there is so much testimony in this opinion, it gives a window into the way the lower courts are making these decisions, and how the court understands how children connect to their tribal communities:
[Foster parent] already encouraged [three year old child] to look at Chickasaw language flashcards and language applications, to make beaded necklaces, and to hunt, fish, and pick berries.
The Department’s report recommending good cause to deviate from placement preferences included this very frustrating statement:
It is unfortunate that that [sic] tribe is so distant and has not had the opportunity to meet Autumn and the people she considers to be parents. If they had, they may decide that it is in actuality in their tribe’s best interest to avoid placement disruption and the possibility of creating an attachment disorder in this young child who currently has such a bright future.
Unpublished Active Efforts Case Out of California
Here. Whether the state has the obligation to assist in enrolling dad and child at in the Chickasaw Nation as an active efforts requirement. The California Rules of Court include that in their definition of active efforts:
We note that the California Supreme Court is currently reviewing the validity of California Rules of Court, rules 5.482(c) and 5.484(c) in In re Abbigail A. (2014) 226 Cal.App.4th 1450, review granted September 10, 2014, S220187. However, briefing and decision of the issue in this court and further potential review in the Supreme Court would significantly delay this matter, while stipulated reversal with directions will benefit R.P.’s interests more expeditiously. (In re Rashad H., supra, 78 Cal.App.4th at p. 380.)Reversal is therefore appropriate given DPSS’s and the juvenile court’s failure to make active efforts to secure tribal membership for R.P. Although only mother appealed, the parental rights termination order must be reversed as to both mother and father. (In re Mary G. (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 184, 208.)
NYTs Article on Chickasaw Member Running for US Senate
Here.
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