On behalf of the ILP, I wanted to share exciting news and a link. Patty Ferguson Bohnee and four Indian Legal Clinic students are in Washington DC today. Patty was asked to present testimony at an oversight hearing on “Fixing the Federal Acknowledgment Process” for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Patty was invited to speak last week and the students helped her prepare her testimony. If you would like to see the testimony you can watch now at the following link. http://indian.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.LiveStream It is my understanding that Patty will be the last speaker today. On a side note, the students will also have an opportunity to watch a Supreme Court oral argument while in DC. What a great opportunity for our students!
Kerry Patterson (’01) Indian Country Today Story
Kerry Patterson: A healthy balance for Indian country
By Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan, Today correspondent
Story Published: Oct 31, 2009
Story Updated: Oct 30, 2009
PHOENIX — Kerry Patterson has juggled a family, school and work in an effort to give back to Indian country.Patterson, 38, has been practicing law for eight years and is the transitional attorney for Fennemore Craig PC in Phoenix, Ariz. She handles real estate, corporate law, leasing and anything that pertains to economic development. She was recently named a winner of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40 Under 40 awards.
Patterson grew up in western New York on the Cattaraugus reservation and is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation; the nation is one of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy and has more than 7,200 enrolled members, according to the Seneca Nation Web site.Patterson attended SUNY Fredonia while working for the Seneca Nation as the human resource manager in the enterprise division and being a full-time mother. Patterson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and was the first from her family to graduate college.
“My sister has always been a self-motivated individual. Despite many adversities she encountered throughout her life, she has always managed to remain focused on her goals,” said Gerri Printup, Patterson’s sister. “While attending college she was able to balance family and work, while being on the Dean’s List.” Her sister inspired her to go to college, and Printup received a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and works for the Seneca Nation in the planning department. Patterson also has a brother named Aaron.
In I998, Patterson moved her family to Phoenix, Ariz. where she continued her education at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. “While I was getting my bachelor’s degree I wanted to help all tribes and the best way I thought was by being educated in law.”
Patterson has three children named Jordy, 19, Jake, 12 and Alexa, 4. She said it was hard juggling a family and law school. But her husband, Al, and her family has always been supportive. “My grandma and mom both came out (from New York) to help me with the kids when I needed them,” Patterson said. “It was challenging moving to a new place, but it made us stronger.” Patterson’s father is an iron worker and her mother was the clerk for the Seneca Nation which is one of the three highest positions. The other two positions are president and treasurer. “She has always been a good role model for me.”
Patterson’s latest project is working with the Navajo Code Talker Association. The association received a 200-acre lot donation from Chevron Mining Company in New Mexico and they want to build a museum on the lot. The site is located along Highway 264 between Gallup, N.M. and Window Rock, Ariz. “If we don’t get stories in a museum they (code talkers) will pass and nothing will be on record,” Patterson said. “There needs to be a place for all their memorabilia and stories.”
Patterson is excited about the opportunity to work with the code talkers; she enjoys working with Native elders, especially listening and learning from their stories. She said this is the most meaningful project she is working on right now since there is no place where you can go to learn about code talkers.“ I consider it an honor and privilege to work with the code talkers on this project. They are the true American heroes and their story is one that all Native people can take pride in. It is exciting to be involved in a project that will serve as a lasting tribute to the unique contribution of the Navajo code talkers.” Patterson hopes to continue to use her legal education and experience to work on other projects that benefit Indian country.
In her spare time, Patterson enjoys running and competing in mini-triathlons. She likes spending time with her children and watching them play sports. Jordy plays lacrosse, Jake plays golf and Alexa is a swimmer.
General Counsel Job Posting
Pueblo of Pojoaque
General Counsel
The Pueblo of Pojoaque is accepting applications
for General Counsel.
Applicant will assume
diverse roles while working with Pueblopeople, their government and Pueblo corporations.
A background of federal Indian law is
essential. Primary areas of practice include the
areas of domestic affairs, tribal corporations,
water law and general civil law. Criminal lawpractice is at a minimum. Litigation experience
in tribal, state and federal court is highly
prized. Salary is dependent on experience.
Position will be filled within 30 days of this
posting. Send resumes via e-mail to fdemolli@
puebloofpojoaque.org
Associate Attorney Job Posting
Associate Attorney
The Nordhaus Law Firm, LLP is seeking a full
time associate attorney with one to three years
of relevant experience to work primarily on
Indian water rights litigation in our Santa Fe,
New Mexico office starting as soon as possible.
Demonstrated interest in Indian law is required.
Experience in water law and/or Indian law is
strongly preferred. The Firm is dedicated to the
representation of Indian Tribes and Tribal entities
on environmental issues, natural resource
protection and development, jurisdictional
issues, Tribal governance issues, economic development
projects, and in administrative and regulatory
processes as well as in trial and appellate
litigation. Native Americans are encouraged to
apply. Please apply immediately by submitting:
(1) a cover letter describing your interest in and
qualifications for the position, (2) a resume, (3)
a legal writing sample, (4) a list of references,
and (5) an official law school transcript to Hiring
Partner Santa Fe Position, Nordhaus Law
Firm, LLP, 1239 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe,
NM 87501. You may submit your application by
email to hiringpartner@nordhauslaw.com.
ALUMNI: Debra Gee (’94)
Ferguson-Bohnee to testify before Congress
Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, director of the Indian Legal Clinic, has been asked to testify on “Fixing the Federal Acknowledgment Process” before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Ferguson-Bohnee has substantial experience in Indian law, election law and policy matters, voting rights, and status clarification of tribes. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the Louisiana State Legislature regarding tribal recognition, and has successfully assisted four Louisiana tribes in obtaining state recognition. She has represented tribal clients in administrative, state, federal, and tribal courts, as well as before state and local governing bodies and proposed revisions to the Real Estate Disclosure Reports to include tribal provisions. She has assisted in complex voting rights litigation on behalf of tribes, and she has drafted state legislative and congressional testimony on behalf of tribes with respect to voting rights’ issues.
Before joining the College in 2008, Ferguson-Bohnee clerked for Judge Betty Binns Fletcher of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and was an associate in the Indian Law and Tribal Relations Practice Group at Sacks Tierney P.A. in Phoenix. As a Fulbright Scholar to France, she researched French colonial relations with Louisiana Indians in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Ferguson-Bohnee, a member of the Pointe-au-Chien Indian tribe, serves as the Native Vote Election Protection Coordinator for the State of Arizona.
Quannah (Gee) Dallas ’04 interviewed in NPR story on SRPMIC
ILP Alum Quannah (Gee) Dallas ’04 was recently interviewed on NPR segment featuring the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The article can be found at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114034929
Staff Attorney Position – NM Legal Aid – Zuni Pueblo
Staff Attorney – Gallup Office
New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) has an opening for a Staff Attorney in its Gallup Office. One (1) or more years of legal experience required. NMLA represents low-income individuals and families in a wide variety of poverty law areas including family law, housing, public benefits, consumer and Native American issues. Expectation is that attorney will be active in local bar and community activities. The position offers opportunity to work with Zuni people and practice law in theZuni Trbal Court. The candidate will handle general pverty law cases, utilizing a computerized case management system, participate in community education and outreach to those in need of housing and other benefits, and participate in recruitment of pro bono attorneys. The position also includes work with Zuni people on cases and matters involving Federal Indian and Tribal law issues, including representation of low income individuals in the Zuni Tribal Court. A percentage of the attorney’s time will be devoted to NMLA’s Native American Program issues. Requirements: Candidates must possess excellent writing and oral communication skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, skills sufficient to implement an array of advocacy strategies, ability to manage a caseload, and the ability to build collaborative relationships within the community. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus. Reliable transportation is mandatory. New Mexico bar license is preferred. Candidate will be required to become a member of the Zuni bar upon hire. NMLA offers an excellent benefits package, including generous leave, health insurance and opportunities for training. Competitive salary based on experience, DOE. NMLA is an EEO Employer. Send Resume, two references and a writing sample to: Gloria A. Molinar, NMLA, PO Box 25486, Albuquerque, NM 87125-5486 and or email to: gloriam@nmlegalaid.org; Deadline:10/30/09
Save the Date: 10/28/09
Navajo Government Forum with:
President Joe Shirley Jr.
Council Delegates: Leonard Tsosie, Jonathan Nez, and Kee Allen Begay
Come and discuss the issue and policies that matter to you.
- 88-24 Council Reduction Initiative
- Presidential Line Item veto
- Education
- Economic Development
Where: Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU
Great Hall, Lecture Room
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
5:30-8:30
Free Event!
On-site voter registration!
Press Release
Navajo Government Forum at Arizona State University:
Debate on government reform voting initiatives to reduce the Council from 88 to 24 and provide a presidential line-item veto
Tempe, Arizona: For Immediate Release
A Navajo Government Forum that will focus on two initiatives — one that would reduce the Navajo Council from 88 members to 24 members and one that would add a line-item veto — will be hosted by Arizona State University at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Armstrong Hall at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
President Joe Shirley Jr. and three Council delegates — Kee Allen Begay (Many Farms/Round Rock Chapters), Jonathan Nez (Shonto Chapter) and Leonard Tsosie (Whitehorse Lake/Pueblo Pintado/Torreon Chapters) — will be questioned by a panel of experts, then will take questions on any Navajo Nation issue from the audience.
The initiatives will be on the Navajo Nation ballot in December. Voter registration closes Nov. 16, and voter registration will be available the evening of the forum.
The forum was conceived and organized by the ASU Navajo Students for Politics Committee, and is designed to mobilize ASU students and provide information for the the greater Phoenix Navajo community
The event is sponsored by the American Indian Policy Institute, American Indian Student Support Services, the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs, the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, American Indian Studies, and the Phoenix Indian Center.
For more information, contact Kate Rosier, Director of the Indian Legal Program, at (480) 965-6204.