Wiring the Rez 2024

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We hosted our 10th annual Tribal Government E-Commerce CLE Conference, Wiring the Rez, last week. Leaders, advocates and stakeholders from Tribal communities and beyond shared, discussed and celebrated together at Wild Horse Pass Resorts & Casinos.

This year featured a Tribal leader retrospective on e-commerce, a timely political update, current cybersecurity concerns and explored uses for AI in e-commerce. If you would like to suggest topics for next year, please let us know.

A big thank you to each of our esteemed speakers and sponsors for a successful turnout. See you next year!

Job opportunity: Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty

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National Congress of American Indians 
Washington, DC

The Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty will conduct in-depth research and analysis on environmental, natural resource, and conservation law and policy at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels for the NCAI Institute for Environmental Sovereignty. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of administrative, federal Indian, and environmental law, and has at least three years of experience carrying out legal and policy research and analysis as well as drafting public-facing reports, white papers, and issue briefs. Candidates will have a passion for serving Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and a deep interest in environmental protection and natural resource stewardship.

The Institute for Environmental Sovereignty’s mission is to advance Tribal Nations’ leadership in natural resource governance and environmental stewardship; the safeguarding of Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage linked to the landscape and natural environment; and innovative Indigenous-led approaches to environmental protection. The Institute carries out this mission through its core objectives: (1) tracking environmental matters of greatest concern to Indian Country; (2) carrying out in-depth research and analysis of environmental and natural resource policy, law, programs, and action, at all levels and types of government, which impact Indian Country, treaty resources, cultural heritage, and tribal communities’ health and wellness; (3) advocating for greater tribal sovereignty over, and stewardship of critically important natural resources; and (4) convening Tribal Nation leaders, partners, and supporters around Indian Country’s greatest environmental problems, solutions, and promising opportunities to create communities of practice.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Under the direction of NCAI’s Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty, the primary duties of the Policy Lead – Environmental Sovereignty include but are not limited to:

  • Conduct in-depth legal and policy research and analysis at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels
  • Engage in policy development
  • Draft reports, white papers, issue briefs, journal articles, and other public-facing documents
  • Monitor legal, policy, social, and technological developments regarding environmental, natural resource, and conservation matters
  • Develop and maintain expertise in law and policy related to environmental protection, natural resource stewardship, the relationship between Tribal Nations and federal, state, and local governments, and other related areas
  • Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external partners and partner organizations, technical experts, and government agencies and officials
  • Deliver presentations, both virtual and in-person
  • Contribute to grant writing in support of the Institute, including letters of intent, concept notes, and proposals
  • Travel in order to staff NCAI’s three major conferences that take place each calendar year, and occasional travel for site visits, meetings, and representing the Institute at conferences, including providing presentations on Institute projects when required

See full job description and apply.

Job opportunity: Associate

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Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC
Tempe, AZ
vtklaw.com 

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated, self-driven, and ambitious full-time associate. Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is a 100% Indian owned boutique law firm providing legal services exclusively to Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, tribal agencies, and tribal entrepreneurs. Our firm provides services in the area of Indian law, business transactions, economic development, finance, gaming, and all areas of tribal government. We are proud to assist as day-to-day general or special counsel for tribes and corporate counsel for tribal business. 

Requirements: 

  • J.D. Degree from an A.B.A accredited law school with Bar License in California, New Mexico, Arizona and/or Oklahoma (or pending License)
  • 1-5 Years of experience (this is not necessarily legal experience, but may include business or tribal affairs experience as well) 
  • Demonstrated education or experience in federal Indian law 
  • Strong research, analytical and writing skills 
  • Transactional law, business law, economic development, and gaming experience a plus 

Applicants should submit the following information: 

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample
  • Transcripts (if graduated or practicing law less than two years)
  • Three references 

Please submit information via email to gina@vtklaw.com. Please contact Gina Ortiz at 480-428-4590 with any questions. Native American hiring preference will be provided to qualified attorneys. 

Download full job announcement.

2024 ILP Alumni Awards: Call for Nominations

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The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award. Nominations are due February 23, 2024! Nomination materials should be sent by email to: Kate.Rosier@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony at Fed Bar on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nomination Guidelines

ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package Requirements:

  • Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
  • Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
  • Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
  • Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Claudeen Bates Arthur (’74) (Posthumous), Gloria Kindig (’89), Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71) and Herb Yazzie (’75).

ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package Requirements

  • Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
  • Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Rebecca Ross (’10), Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Peter Larson (’02), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92) and Jeff Harmon (’05).

ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package Requirements.

  • Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
  • Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
  • Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
  • Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Jacob Schellinger (’12), Derrick Beetso (’10), Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle (’09), Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09), Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08) and Michael Corey Hinton (’11).

Indian Legal Clinic offers rights restoration to the Hopi Tribe

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On Nov. 30, the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) partnered with the Hopi Tribe and hosted a Rights Restoration Workshop to offer free legal assistance with restoring civil rights after a felony conviction. Student attorneys Maryam Salazar (3L), Clayton Kinsey (3L) and Natalia Sells (3L) traveled with Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Democracy Director Joel Edman to Kykotsmovi Village, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation to meet with the Hopi Chairman, Timothy Nuvangyaoma, and other tribal members to present information on rights restoration. During the workshop, the student attorneys presented information on the rights restoration process for single and multiple felonies, marijuana expungement and the set aside process.

“It was an enriching experience to go out to the Hopi reservation and have their tribal leaders really engage with the information we were sharing, including how they could implement it into their tribal community programs,” said Natalia.

In Arizona, if a person is convicted of a felony, they automatically lose certain civil rights. These include: the right to vote, to hold public office, to serve on a jury and to possess a firearm.

Native populations are disproportionately impacted by these punitive laws due to being overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Arizona has more restrictive felony disfranchisement laws than 40 other states, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona (ACLU) of Arizona. The Sentencing Project reported Arizona disenfranchised over 5% of the voting population in 2022, almost half of those disenfranchised had completely served their sentence.

The ILC remains dedicated to supporting citizens’ equal opportunity to vote.

“It’s insane to see how much rights restoration workshops are needed in the community and how many people would benefit from having their rights restored who may or may not know they need it,” said Natalia.

“This experience was great because it allowed us to apply what we learned in the classroom setting to the real world, especially in tribal communities. Working with real clients shows the impact our legal education can have in our own communities.”

We look forward to future community partnership events and appreciate the Hopi Tribe for hosting the Rights Restoration Workshop. 

ILC photographed with Hopi Tribe Elections Board

For more information, please contact Joel Edman at jedman@asu.edu. If you need your rights restored in Arizona, please submit this form.

____
Honore Callingham (’18)
Law Fellow, Indian Legal Clinic, ASU Law

Job opportunity: Yurok Tribe General Counsel

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Yurok Tribe
Office of the Tribal Attorney
Klamath, CA
General Counsel
Salary: $128,835.20 – Negotiable DOE

Under the general supervision of the Yurok Tribal Council, the General Counsel will assist the Yurok Tribal Council and Tribal Departments in the legal matters related to the business of the Yurok Tribe. Incumbent will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all activities of the Office of the Tribal Attorney. The General Counsel will ensure the efficient and economical use of the resources of the department, including budgeted funds, grant monies, personnel, facilities, and time, to accomplish short-term and long-range objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Perform legal research including extensive analysis of legal positions. Determine and apply legal principles and precedents to problems and issues.
  2. Provides legal advice, counsel and assistance to the Tribal Council and departments in relation to their duties and the operation of the Tribe and its programs in compliance with the Constitution, laws, and policies of the Yurok Tribe.
  3. Negotiates Federal and State contracts.
  4. Provides opinions concerning personnel policies and procedures.
  5. Provides legal advice related to employment classification and dispute resolution.
  6. Drafts appropriate ordinances and policies that assist in the implementation of the Tribe’s Self-Governance objectives.
  7. Represents the Tribe in Indian Child Welfare cases as needed.
  8. Provides opinions on, drafts documents and policies, and attends meetings concerning regulatory and environmental matters.
  9. Reviews and approves contracts entered into by the Tribe.
  10. Prepares legal briefs, develops strategy, arguments, and testimony in preparation for presentation of a case.
  11. Manages all outside legal counsel.
  12. Promotes tribal sovereignty in alignment with the Constitution and laws of the Yurok Tribe.
  13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Review full job description: 2023 General Counsel

Apply at: www.yuroktribe.org/jobs

Native American Heritage Month at ASU Law

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To kick off Native American Heritage month, the ILP invited all of ASU Law to a movie screening of Killers of the Flower Moon on Nov. 3.

Professor Robert Miller and panelists appeared on The Scholars’ Circle podcast segment “Osage Nation (tribe): history, oil, murders and gender dynamics.” In the panel, Miller discussed the legal situation and exploitation of Native Peoples in Oklahoma.

The ASU Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) visited the Honorable Diane Humetewa (’93), a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse.

On Nov. 8, NALSA and the American Constitution Society co-hosted a lunch lecture featuring Professor Robert Miller and discussed Native American influence on the U.S. Constitution. 

On Nov. 15, NALSA hosted a brown bag luncheon with April Olson (’06), partner at Rothstein Donatelli LLP and Kiyoko Patterson (’03), Assistant U.S. Attorney. We appreciate Rothstein Donatelli LLP for sponsoring this event.

On Nov. 18, students gathered for a “NALSA Friendsgiving” to strengthen community and enjoy a good meal.

NALSA students held a food drive and delivered donations to the Phoenix Indian Center.

In late October, ASU NALSA spent an afternoon with Ron Rosier (’95), of counsel at Lewis Roca and Steven Heeley, of counsel at Rothstein Donatelli LLP and learned about career opportunities for Indian law attorneys.

Job opportunity: State Policy Advocates

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Protect Democracy is hiring State Policy Advocates in Arizona and Nevada. You can find that job posting here; Full listing of jobs is here.

Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to preventing American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. Our diverse, cross-ideological team defends elections, the rule of law, and fact-based political debate against authoritarian threats, and works to shape a better democracy for future generations. 

The State Policy Advocate will be Protect Democracy’s advocacy lead in Arizona or Nevada, working with our full team to design, execute, and contribute to a variety of initiatives that achieve impact and advance Protect Democracy’s mission. The ideal candidates bring a strategic approach and superb communication skills; a flexible, growth-oriented mindset and collaborative approach; a commitment to excellence; and enthusiasm for our mission. 

We strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and with policy views across the political and ideological spectrum to apply. Finally, we do not expect any candidate to have 100% of the qualifications listed.