MSU Indigenous Law and Policy Center
Join the MSU Indigenous Law and Policy Center
The Michigan State University Indigenous Law and Policy Center (ILPC) and College of
Law seek entry-level and lateral candidates for full-time, tenure system faculty positions with
research and teaching interests related to federal Indian law, tribal law, or the international
human rights of Indigenous peoples.
A successful candidate will form an integral part of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center
community. This will include teaching, research, and participation in the Center’s
programming and external engagement.
An important part of the Center’s purpose is to educate Native law students and to train
lawyers prepared to work on behalf of tribes around the country, whether for tribal, federal,
or state governments, private law firms, or non-profit organizations. The Center also oversees
MSU law’s Indigenous Law Certificate Program which exists to prepare students to practice
Indigenous law by providing rigorous and comprehensive training in Indigenous law, policy,
and practice.
The Center hosts an annual Indigenous law conference and a yearly speaker series, both of
which bring speakers from around the country to discuss issues involving Indigenous justice
systems, tribal sovereignty, and self-determination. The ILPC also hosts Turtle Talk, the
leading blog on legal issues in Indian Country. In addition, the Center is affiliated with an
Indian law clinic at the Law College.
MSU encourages applications from and nominations of women, persons of color, veterans
and persons with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Please email application materials, a letter of interest and cv, or nominations to Professor
Tiffani Darden, Co-Chair of Faculty Appointments Committee, dardent@law.msu.edu. More
information about the Law College can be found at http://www.law.msu.edu.
View the PDF here.
Call for Proposals & Art: 19th Annual ILPC & TICA Indigenous Law Conference
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals due March 21st, 2022
Indigenous Law & Policy Center & Tribal In-House Counsel Association 19th Annual Indigenous Law Conference
The Conference:
The conference has eight panels; one reserved for hot topics, plus a keynote speaker. Current TICA members with a focus on the tribal inhouse practice of law who are interested in presenting are invited to submit panel proposals with up to four speakers.
Want to Speak at the Indigenous Law Conference?:
Become a TICA member at www.tica.wildapricot.org
MSU Law will provide research support for speakers in preparing materials upon request. MSU Law will cover reasonable travel and lodging expenses.
Submit Panel Proposals:
Submit panel proposals as a PDF or Word document, 300 words or less, to MSU ILPC at indigenous@law.msu.edu
Include the following information for each panelist:
- Name
- Title (current position)
- Contact information
Contact Us:
Doreen N. McPaul, President of TICA: dmcpaul@nndoj.org
MSU ILPC: indigenous@law.msu.edu
Gabriela Gendreau, MSU ILPC Communications Coordinator: ggendreau@law.msu.edu
CALL FOR ART
Submissions due March 21st, 2022
Indigenous Law & Policy Center & Tribal In-House Counsel Association 19th Annual Indigenous Law Conference
Each year, the conference sponsors one American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian artist whose work is featured on digital and print conference materials which may be adapted for use. Artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit their work.
Submission Requirements:
To inquire about or to submit artwork, please email MSU ILPC at indigenous@law.msu.edu
Include the following:
- PDF or Adobe Photoshop file
- Artist biography / brief summary of work and artist or foundation contact information. To be included in the conference program if desired.
Contact Us:
Doreen N. McPaul, President of TICA: dmcpaul@nndoj.org
MSU ILPC: indigenous@law.msu.edu
Gabriela Gendreau, MSU ILPC Communications Coordinator: ggendreau@law.msu.edu
Past Conference Art:
View past conference artwork here: https://turtletalk.blog/indigenous-lawprogram/ilpc-artwork/
LIVE: PFAS Issues of Social Justice Webinar
Feb 15, 2022 12:00 PM ET & March 15, 2022 12:00 PM ET
Registration Link: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OHCUfS6AQoWPJcRF4kLxjg
Image Text:
Canadian and U.S. Perspectives on PFAS: Issues of Social Justice
Co-hosted by: The Center of PFAS Research, Canada Connect, and Indigenous Law & Policy Center
Join us for a speaker series on the history, science, impact, and challenges of PFAS in the Canadian and US context. Using a One Health framework, each webinar will include speakers from both Canada and the United States.
February 15 12:00-1:30pm
Registration Link: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OHCUfS6AQoWPJcRF4kLxjg
Dr. Amira Akar is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Universite Laval and the Center de reserche du CHU de Quebec. She is an environmental epidemiologist and her research centers around protecting systemically and structurally excluded populations from contaminants of emerging concern, with a particular interest in Arctic communities. Dr. Aker received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship a the University of Toronto Scarborough focused on chronic disease.
Melanie Lemire is an associate professor in the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine at Laval Unviersity and researcher at the Population Health and Optimal Health Practices axis at the CHU du Quebec-Universite Laval Research Centre and the Institute for Integrative and Systems Biology (IBIS). She is the Canadian designated expert for the Human Health Assessment Group of the Arctic Monitoring an Assessment Program (HHAG-AMAP). Her projects are transdisciplinary, intersectoral and participatory, and focus on the study of environmental contaminants, ocean change, and nutrition related to the health of Indigenous and coastal populations. Her findings are used to inform decisions, decision making-tools, programs and policies at local, federal, and international levels.
Elyse Caron-Beaudoin is an Assistant Professor in environmental health at the University of Toronto – Scarborough. Her research focuses on the development of transdisciplinary community-based research projects to assess the impacts of anthropogenic pressures on health by combining information form multiple levels of biological organization. Elyse holds a PhD in biology with a specialization in toxicology from the INRS – Armand-Frappier Institute in Laval, Quebec. From 2018 to 2020, she was a CIHR-funded postdoctoral fellow at the Universite de Montreal. She is implicated in several research projects on environmentalism and Indigenous health, including in oil and gas regions and in the Canadian Arctic.
Whitney Gravelle is a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community Gnoozhekaaning (Place of the Pike) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University College of Law in 2016 with a certificate from the Indigenous Law Program, Whitney worked for the Department of Justice with the Environmental and Natural Resource Division in the Indian Resource Section, where she worked on cases relate to the scope of tribal lands and jurisdiction, treaty rights, and the protection of lands held in trust for tribes and individual Indian lands. Currently, Whitney serves as President of the Bay Mills Indian Community, and serves on the Michigan Women’s Commission and the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.
Wenona Singel is an Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. She recently completed a two-year leave of absence from MSU to fulfill an appointment as Deputy Legal Counsel and Advisor for Tribal Affairs for Governor Gretchen Whitmer. At MSU, Wenona teaches and publishes in the areas of Property, Federal Indian Law, and Natural Resources Law. She is a member of the American Law Institute and an Associate Reporter for the Restatement of the Law of American Indians. She also received an appointment by President Barack Obama to the Board of Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, a position she held for five years. She received an A.B. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Wenona is a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Join us for our next PFAS webinar: March 15th 12:00-1:30pm
3rd Annual Women of Color Community Conference
3rd Annual Conference Session Information
View the full schedule information here.
Friday, February 11, 2022 | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (EST) | Virtual (via Zoom) | Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3annualWOCC
WOCC Conference Welcome
9:00 AM-9:20 AM (EST) | Zoom
WOCC Recognition Ceremony & Networking
3:15 PM (EST) | Zoom
Session # 1: Fairness is false: Find confidence in your lane!
Friday, February 11, 2022 | 9:30 AM-10:20 AM (EST) | Zoom (must register for Zoom info)
Session Description: Sometimes we often lose opportunities to be great by expecting things to be fair. This talk will inspire you to be great in ways other people can’t.
Speaker: Nekeyta Brunson
Speaker Bio: Nekeyta Brunson is a wife, business owner of Uncovered, LLC and homeschool mom of 4. Native of Flint Michigan, she has had many obstacles and hurdles to cross. One of her biggest hurdles that held her back has now become a growing nonprofit.
Session # 2: Academic Sisters in the Movement to Decolonize the Ivory Tower
Friday, February 11, 2022 | Session Time 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM (EST) | Zoom (must register for Zoom info)
Speaker: Wenona Singel
Speaker Bio: Wenona Singel is an Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. She recently completed a two-year leave of absence from MSU to fulfill an appointment as Deputy Legal Counsel and Advisor for Tribal Affairs for Governor Gretchen Whitmer. While working for the Governor’s Office, Wenona advised the Governor on all aspects of tribal-state relations, and she was responsible for advising the Governor on issues related to the Flint water crisis, the environment, natural resources, and gaming. At MSU, Wenona teaches and publishes in the areas of Property, Federal Indian Law, and Natural Resources Law. She is a member of the American Law Institute and an Associate Reporter for the Restatement of the Law of American Indians. She also received an appointment by President Barack Obama to the Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, a position she held for five years. She received an A.B. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Wenona is a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and she is married to Matthew Fletcher, with whom she has two sons named Owen and Emmett.
Session #3: Radical Rest: A Revolutionary Act for Women Leaders of Color
Friday, February 11, 2022 | 1:30 PM-2:20 PM (EST) | Zoom (must register for Zoom info)
Session Description: Transformative leaders who are protecting our future through their commitment to our collective freedom need a break! Wellness is a critical part of any activism. Taking purposeful time to rejuvenate is paramount if we wish to be effective change agents. During this talk, we will explore myriad reasons women leaders need to rest and discuss ways to restore. We’ll offer practical wellness tips, leadership advice, and research on creating brave and vulnerable spaces for women of color to find rest.
Speaker: Dr. Rema Vassar
Speaker Bio: Rema Vassar, PhD was elected to the Board of Trustees for an eight-year term that began January 1, 2021. Dr. Vassar earned her doctorate from UCLA in 2009 and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University. She is the Morris Endowed Chair leading The Leadership Talent Development Project in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Dr. Rema teaches Leadership and was named Faculty of the Year in the College of Education in 2020. The author of many scholarly journal articles, her research interests include school and community relationships with an emphasis on parent-school partnerships; race, gender, and class implications in schools; implications of policy and practice on student achievement and outcomes; and equity, justice, access, and inclusion for minoritized communities. In addition to her work in higher education, Dr. Vassar has extensive experience in K-12 public education, having served over 20 years as a teacher, counselor, and principal. She maintains a steadfast commitment to community service through her committee work, as a mentor, and community liaison. Dr. Vassar resides in Detroit with her husband and three children.
Call for Art: 19th Annual ILPC & TICA Indigenous Law Conference
CALL FOR ART
Submissions due March 21st, 2022
Indigenous Law & Policy Center & Tribal In-House Counsel Association 19th Annual Indigenous Law Conference
Each year, the conference sponsors one American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian artist whose work is featured on digital and print conference materials which may be adapted for use. Artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit their work.
Submission Requirements:
To inquire about or to submit artwork, please email MSU ILPC at indigenous@law.msu.edu
Include the following:
- PDF or Adobe Photoshop file
- Artist biography / brief summary of work and artist or foundation contact information. To be included in the conference program if desired.
Contact Us:
Doreen N. McPaul, President of TICA: dmcpaul@nndoj.org
MSU ILPC: indigenous@law.msu.edu
Gabriela Gendreau, MSU ILPC Communications Coordinator: ggendreau@law.msu.edu
Past Conference Art:
View past conference artwork here: https://turtletalk.blog/indigenous-lawprogram/ilpc-artwork/
Call for Proposals: 19th Annual ILPC & TICA Indigenous Law Conference
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals due March 21st, 2022
Indigenous Law & Policy Center & Tribal In-House Counsel Association 19th Annual Indigenous Law Conference
The Conference:
The conference has eight panels; one reserved for hot topics, plus a keynote speaker. Current TICA members with a focus on the tribal inhouse practice of law who are interested in presenting are invited to submit panel proposals with up to four speakers.
Want to Speak at the Indigenous Law Conference?:
Become a TICA member at www.tica.wildapricot.org
MSU Law will provide research support for speakers in preparing materials upon request. MSU Law will cover reasonable travel and lodging expenses.
Submit Panel Proposals:
Submit panel proposals as a PDF or Word document, 300 words or less, to MSU ILPC at indigenous@law.msu.edu
Include the following information for each panelist:
- Name
- Title (current position)
- Contact information
Contact Us:
Doreen N. McPaul, President of TICA: dmcpaul@nndoj.org
MSU ILPC: indigenous@law.msu.edu
Gabriela Gendreau, MSU ILPC Communications Coordinator: ggendreau@law.msu.edu
MSU Indigenous Law & Policy Center Winter Newsletter
As 2022 begins, the Michigan State University College of Law Indigenous Law & Policy Center invites you to join us in reflecting upon and celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of our students, faculty, alumni, and community in 2021. Please view our winter newsletter, and stay up to date on current events in Indian law with Turtle Talk and follow us on social media for information on future events!
Follow & Contact Us:
Twitter: @ILPCTurtleTalk
Instagram: @ilpc_turtletalk
Email: indigenous@law.msu.edu
End of the Semester Check-In and Lunch: Indigenous Law & Policy Center
🍂 End of the Semester Check-In! 🍂
The Indigenous Law & Policy Center will be hosting an in-person End of the Semester Check-In on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 from 12:15-1:15pm in room 472
Students, faculty, staff, and allies will come together to celebrate the end of the semester over a provided lunch! **RSVP Required**
RSVP by Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021. Please direct all RSVPs and questions to indigenous@law.msu.edu
We look forward to seeing you there!
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Indigenous Law & Policy Center is at the forefront of Indian law issues and home to one of the most well-known Indigenous Law programs in the nation.
Today on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we recognize this work and celebrate the next generation of water protectors, Indian childhood welfare defenders, and tribal judges supported by the Center, as well as the students and communities they serve.
Artwork: “The Seeds Are Planted” by Zoey Wood-Salomon
Turtle Talk 
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