Category Archives: Alumni

ILP co-presents environmental workshop

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Ann Marie DownesThe application of federal environmental law in Indian Country was the focus of a workshop presented by the College of Law’s Indian Legal Program and the ASU American Indian Policy Institute on May 27 on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Ann Marie Downes, director of the College’s Indian Legal Graduate Programs, and Patricia Mariella, the institute’s director, conducted the workshop for the Community’s Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Department.
Among discussion topics were well-known cases in Indian law, including Dura v. Reina, which originated on the Salt River-Maricopa Indian Community. Other discussion centered on the development of federal Indian policy, civil and regulatory jurisdictional issues.
The workshop is the first of several on environmental compliance and enforcement that the institute will be conducting with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

NABA-AZ Golf Tournament

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All,

I would like to thank everyone for the great show of support to make this year’s Native American Bar Association of Arizona Golf Tournament a success. I want to remind everyone that the tournament is this Sunday March 22, 2009 at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler starting at 1pm. This event is sponsored by the Gila River Indian Community, with support from the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and Fennemore Craig.

I have attached a registration form for anyone who would like to come out and support our organization that has not already registered for the event. This year’s event contests and prizes include:

1. A long drive contest with 2 tickets to a major sporting event (MLB, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA or NBA).

2. A closest-to-the-pin contest with a prize of 2 tickets to an MLB, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA or NBA event.

3. Four first place prizes consisting of a 4 day/3 night vacation package including Vegas, Orlando and Hawaii.

4. Four second place prizes consisting of a 3 Day/2 Night Vacation Package including Hawaii, Orlando and Vegas.

5. A fully-insured $50,000 Shootout. If a player makes the shot, we pay the $50,000 prize. (FOR THE 1ST 4 GOLFERS THAT REGISTER FOR THE SHOOTOUT)

6. A “Guaranteed Winner” Putting Contest with a 5-Day Carnival Cruise for 2 as the prize.

7. An “Outdoorsman” Hole-in-One Prize Package. (ON EACH PAR 3)

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns, I look forward to seeing you all out there and having a great tournament!

Best,

Steve

Steve M. Bodmer
Rosette & Associates, PC
565 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 212
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: 480.889.8990
Mobile: 480.241.4701
Fax: 480.889.8997

Speaker Morgan Thanks Nakai (’03) for Services

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Speaker Morgan thanks Katosha Nakai for services to the Navajo Nation

Nakai becomes policy advisor to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer

PHOENIX — The Honorable Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan thanked Katosha Nakai, lobbyist for the Navajo Nation, during a special recognition gathering held in her honor at the Lewis & Roca LLC law firm on March 4. Nakai, an attorney, was recently selected by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer as her policy advisor for tribal affairs — a position previously held by Marnie Hodahkwen under former Gov. Janet Napolitano’s administration. Nakai (NAAH-KYE), Choctaw from Oklahoma, has been working with the Navajo Nation since 2005 as the lobbyist and liaison between the Navajo Nation and the state of Arizona, including the governor’s office. One hallmark project she was instrumental with was the $2 million appropriation for Dilkon District Court. The $2 million was split into two appropriations — $1 million in 2006 and another in 2007. It was nearly a year ago that the Judiciary Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-purpose building. The building was made possible through a collaborative effort between the state of Arizona, the Judiciary Committee, the legislative, judicial and executive branches of the Navajo Nation — a project that received matching funding from the tribe. Construction is currently in progress for the facility and will be ready by this summer. The 14,000 square-foot facility, designed to reflect Navajo customs, is being constructed on 2.3 acres on the corner of milepost 55 on Navajo Route 15 in Dilkon, Ariz. Nakai was very influential in securing funds for the facility with Arizona Sen. Albert Hale (D-Window Rock) and former State Rep. Albert Tom (D-Chambers) spearheading the funding request from the state of Arizona. Speaker Morgan said, “Mrs. Nakai has been extremely influential in securing vitally needed funding for the Navajo Nation — we are thankful for her services. The Navajo Nation will look forward to continuing its working relationship with Nakai and Governor Brewer’s administration.” Kee Allen Begay Jr. (Many Farms/Round Rock), appointed by Speaker Morgan to serve on the Intergovernmental Relations Committee task force on state affairs, worked with Nakai on various issues affecting the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation. “I express my sincere appreciation for Mrs. Nakai’s tireless work on behalf of the Navajo Nation, especially our Legislative Branch,” Begay said. “Nakai advocated for the Nation on all issues with the Arizona State Legislature and with the governor’s office. She served Navajo unquestionably above what was requested of her — she helped to make our Dilkon District Court a reality.” Nakai is a graduate of Arizona State University College of Law and currently resides in Phoenix with her husband Errol Nakai (Navajo) and their two daughters.