Lessons of Our Land:
The Indian Land Tenure Foundation Speaker Series
Feb. 10 to March 30, 2011
University of Montana, Payne Family Native American Center, Room 105
4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Speaker Receptions: Bonnie Heavy Runner Gathering Space, 5:3O, PFNAC

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation Speaker Series (KBGA radio interview with Terry Janis) is scheduled to host its inaugural run of esteemed presenters on contemporary land issues in Indian Country. The event will cast a light on our relationship to the earth and the management of Indian land held in trust by the U.S. Interior Department. Here is the lineup of other speakers who have graciously accepted the invitation to be a part of the foundation series:

Indian Land Tenure Foundation

• Feb. 10
Charles Wilkinson, University of Colorado at Boulder law professor and author, will participate in a stage interview and live KBGA radio broadcast to discuss American Indian land issues in the 21st century. Wilkinson is a preeminent federal Indian law scholar in the United States. He’ll also discuss his new book, The People Are Dancing Again: The History of the Siletz Tribe of Western Oregon. He’ll sign books signing during reception.
• Feb. 23
Marcella Giles ( Muscogee Creek), a leading oil and gas attorney representing Indian land owners, steps forward to talk about what every American Indian land allottee needs to know — and needs to ask — about ownership and management of their trust land. Giles presentation comes on the heels of the Cobell settlement, also known as the Claims Resolution Act of 2010.
• March 2
Narcisse Blood (Blood), current researcher as well as former director of Kainai studies, Red Crow Community College in Stand Off, Alberta. Blood shares his innate knowledge that connects land and place through indigenous languages. He explains how the language of our ancestors explains our relationship to the earth and our communities.
• March 9
Cris Stainbrook (Oglala Lakota), president, Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Little Canada, Minn., will address Indian land consolidation issues and the American Indian Probate Act concerns for landowners across Indian Country. Come learn about how Indian trust lands pass from one generation to the next.
• March 23
Elouise Cobell (Blackfeet) lead plaintiff in the Cobell v. Salazar suit, joins the speaker series to address progress made in the historic Claims Resolution Act of 2010. After 14 years of litigation, the landmark settlement was signed into law by President Obama in January 2011.

• March 30
Julie Cajune (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), executive director, Center for American Indian Policy and Applied Research at Salish Kootenai College, will present the Indian land tenure curriculum, Lessons of Our Land. The material is designed to help teachers educate students about the history, culture and current issues pertaining to American Indian land. Ownership and stewardship of land is fundamental to Indian culture, tribal sovereignty, community well-being, and economic strength. The curriculum illustrates the important relationship between land and all people.

The Lessons of Our Land: Indian Land Tenure Foundation Speaker Series thanks the following collaborators:
American Indian Student Services, University of Montana (logo attached)
Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (logo attached)
Office of the Provost, University of Montana
KBGA Missoula (logo attached). All presenters will be aired on Tribal Scene Radio (logo attached).
Indigenous Women in Science Network

For more information, contact Jodi Rave at 503-798-2212 or jodi.rave@buffalosfire.com, or go to www.Buffalosfire.com for the full ILTF Speaker Series schedule and biographical information for all speakers.