ILP presents at ASU’s INSPIRE

Last month, the ILP partnered with ASU’s Office of American Indian Initiatives for its annual INSPIRE program, which provides high school students from tribal nations in Arizona the opportunity to participate in a week-long college readiness program as well as explore various academic focus areas. During the week, students develop academic and personal success strategies through culturally-relevant learning opportunities alongside ASU’s Native staff and faculty. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to join learning communities where they receive instruction in a variety of areas.


We were happy to welcome over 100 Native American high school students to ASU Law. ILP Executive Director Kate Rosier gave a presentation on the history of Indian law and the opportunities available to students who pursue a law degree. Students did a great job in creating their points and delivering their arguments during mock trial exercises. 

Throughout the week, Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) and Kris Beecher (’20) taught a Law & Policy class at ASU’s Tempe campus. With 15 students in the Law & Policy learning community, Dolan and Beecher taught the students some of the foundations of Federal Indian Law, discussed the history of American Indian Policy, Tribal Law, and about modern Native political movements.

“It was a privilege to be able to spend time with the INSPIRE students and teach them about law and policy,” Dolan said. “I was inspired by their sense of Justice and their knowledge of their own Tribes’ histories and cultures. They came to class knowing a lot and expressed their own visions of how law and policy should be. Their future is bright, and the future of Indian Country is brighter because of them.”

Beecher, who is an attorney at Dickinson Wright stated, “The students’ questions and answers about the law were very insightful and I am excited to see all the things they will accomplish as the next generation of Native American leaders.”

Students ended the week with a showcase where they demonstrated what they learned through posters, poems, and presentations.

We appreciate the Office of American Indian Initiatives for continuing this treasured experience.

Programs host event at ASU’s California Center

On June 23, the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs traveled to ASU’s California Center in downtown Los Angeles to present “Indian Law and Policy Now.” The community education event was held in the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Event Center and co-hosted by the programs and the Academy for Justice. We were delighted that Business Council Member at-large Laurena Bolden, of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, was able to provide opening remarks and a blessing to begin the event.

The morning session was hosted by ASU Law Director Derrick Beetso (’10) who presented on the “Foundations of Federal Indian Law and Policy” to help set the stage for the day’s discussion. This was followed by a dynamic panel, VAWA 2022: How We Got Here & Where We Came From. The panel was moderated by Academy for Justice Founder and FacultyDirector Erik Luna and panelists included Stacy Leeds , ASU’s Law’s Foundation Professor of Law and Leadership; Lauren Van Schilfgaarde, UCLA’s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic director; and Esther Labrado, attorney at Drummond Woodsum. 

This fascinating discussion tracked the history leading up to the historic tribal provisions in the 2013 Reauthorization of VAWA and the more recent expansions of those key provisions in the 2022 Reauthorization of VAWA which were passed and signed into law earlier this year.

The afternoon session closed with Director Beetso and two ILP Salt River Scholars, Noah Goldenberg (3L) and Sophie Staires (2L), summarizing recent proposals by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) affecting Indian lands and tribal gaming compacts. The BIA has hosted a series of consultations on these proposals and solicited comments from Indian tribes on a number of specific questions. Beetso, Goldenberg, and Staires provided important context for the recent actions, explained the consultation process, and provided broad responses and thoughts to many of the questions proposed by the BIA. 

This event was made possible with the generous support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Mohegan Tribe, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and others.  

Native American Affairs Legislative Assistant

Democratic Senator seeks Legislative Assistant to handle Native American affairs portfolio. Individual must be knowledgeable of current legislative and non-legislative issues and have a thorough understanding of the legislative process and the Senate’s organization and procedures. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, advising and staffing the Senator, analyzing legislative developments, recommending strategies on bills and amendments, and working closely with state staff and a robust press operation. This position requires outstanding oral communication and writing skills, as well as the ability to conduct strong research and analysis. A successful candidate will possess excellent academic credentials and will have the ability to produce quality work under pressure in an extremely fast-paced environment. This office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

To Apply: Interested applicants should email cover letter and resume to legjobs@email.senate.gov, ATTN: Native American Affairs LA in the subject line.

The Aftermath of Castro-Huerta

On July 7, ASU Law’s Indian Legal Program and Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs hosted a virtual event – Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta: Rebalancing Federal-State-Tribal Power

Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta is the most recent federal Indian law case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and held that states share concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government in prosecuting crimes committed by non-Indians against Indian victims in Indian country. The majority decision, authored by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, departs significantly from earlier principles and precedent in this area and the panel discussed their thoughts on what this decision means on the ground for Indian tribes. 

The event was moderated by Derrick Beetso (’10), Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Director, and included a fantastic lineup of Native leaders in academia: Kevin Washburn, Dean of Iowa Law School; Professor Stacy Leeds, ASU’s Foundation Professor of Law and Leadership; and Professor Robert Miller, ASU’s Willard H. Pedrick Distinguished Research Scholar and ASU Faculty Director of the Rosette LLP American Indian Economic Development Program.

The ILP and the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs thank each of our panelists for their time and for sharing their views on this case, and we thank all those who tuned in to listen to this discussion. If you missed the webinar, you may watch the recording

On this topic, our expert faculty contributed to the national conversation happening in the media.

“Wednesday’s decision removes the jurisdictional boundaries of tribal sovereignty that have kept state and local police from entering tribal lands in some cases,” said Leeds to NBC News. Leeds’ legal expertise was also featured in KOSUReuters,Bloomberg Law and U.S. News & World Report.

“It will have an impact in Indian Country, so only the future will tell us if it’s good or not,” said Miller in an Associated Press news article. Miller also spoke to the Arizona Republic, saying: “Supreme Court rulings could weaken tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty.”

“Through this opinion, Kavanaugh rallied his cavalry of five to perform the modern version of slashing and burning peaceful Native communities and their resources and provisions to the ground,” Beetso wrote in his Indianz.com op-ed, “SCOTUS’ Decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta Departs Wildly from U.S. Constitution.”

Native American Rights Fund seek Summer 2023 Law Clerk

The NARF summer clerkship program is a ten- to twelve-week program for students who have completed their second year of law school. Clerks are expected to work at least 40 hours per week during this period and are compensated with salaries comparable to those of the federal government and other non-profit firms. Although public interest funding programs help provide these salaries, clerks are also encouraged to seek additional financial support through their law school’s public interest programs or through other public interest scholarships.

http://www.narf.org/clerks/
Please direct all questions to Kevin Cheng at kcheng@narf.org

 

Job Opportunity: Senior Court Solicitor

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) Court
Scottsdale, AZ

  • Full-Time – $122,312.00 – $177,352.00 Annually
  • Category: Court Administration / Legal / Community and Social Services / Office and Administrative Support
  • Department: Tribal Court

Under the administrative supervision from the Court Administrator, provides legal review and advice to Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) Court. Through legal expertise with the Indian law and general principles of the law, provides research for the Court Judges, working to assist the Judges in resolving legal issues as they arise. Ensures that Community’s Constitution and applicable laws are followed, and that due process principles are applied to ensure the fair and reasonable administration of justice of the matters pending before the Court. Assists with the professional development of Court Staff and Judges by organizing training activities and collecting and distributing information on federal Indian Law and tribal law developments and best practices in tribal justice systems. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt and may be required to work evenings, weekends, and non-standard work schedule. 

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education & Experience:  A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school, with a minimum of seven years attorney experience, with three of the seven years practicing before or working in a tribal, state or federal court setting.   
    1. Demonstrated experience in federal Indian law is required.  
    2. Preference given to candidates with prior judicial experience, either as Judge or Judicial Clerk, in a legal capacity. 
    3. Must attend a minimum of 15 hours annual continuing legal education as related to job and approved by supervisor.  
  • Equivalency – Any equivalent combination of training and experience that would enable the candidate to satisfactorily perform and meet the duties and responsibilities required may be considered in meeting the stated minimum qualifications. 
  • Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

For application and full job description, go to SRPMIC job announcement.