The University of Montana — Native American Law Students Association — is hosting Indian Law Week starting today. Actually, the week-long event kicks off tonight with guest speaker State Superintendent Denise Juneau. I interviewed Shane Morigeau, NALSA president, and Maylinn Smith, director of the UM Indian Law Clinic last week. Check out the Tribal Scene Radio program show to listen to the interview. Also, I’ll be interviewing keynote speakers and panelists for this week’s Tribal Scene Radio show. So tune in for the live stream at KBGA Missoula or check out the archives for a recording of the show. The theme of Indian Law Week at UM this year is “Indian Education for All.” The NALSA students and their professors have organized an event that will draw speakers from around the country to discuss issues that impact Indian Country and everyone who interacts with American Indians. The event is free and open to the public. Go to the UM Law School to listen to speakers. On Thursday, the NALSA students will present the Ray Cross and Elouise Cobell awards. Read on for more details:
Monday, April 12, 2010
Welcome and Keynote Address
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Commons area and Room 101Opening Drum – Chief Cliff, a Kootenai drum group from the Flathead Indian Reservation
Welcome – Dean Irma Russell
Key Note Address: “Obstacles in Indian Education and Why Indian Issues Need to be Incorporated”
Denise Juneau, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
“Indian Law and the Court of the Conqueror”
Noon – 1:30 pm
Castles Center (Lunch provided)
Approved for 1.5 CLE creditsRay Cross, Professor, The University of Montana School of Law
Eldena Bear Don’t Walk, Board of Directors for Plains Justice, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Crow Nation Appellate Judge
Brian Upton, Staff Attorney for Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
“Indian Child Welfare Act Compliance in Montana“
Noon – 1:30 pm
Castles Center (Lunch provided)Jennifer Hill-Hart, Margery Hunter Brown Research Fellow
“Incorporating Indian Issues into Primary, Secondary, Collegiate, and Law School Education: Problems and Limitations”
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Room 101Gyda Swaney, Associate Professor, The University of Montana, Department of Psychology
Kristen Juras, Assistant Professor, The University of Montana School of Law
Cynthia Ford, Professor, The University of Montana School of Law
Julie Cajune, Nkwusm (Salish Language Revitalization Institute), Development Director
“Importance of Incorporating Indian Issues in Educational Settings”
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Room 101Sam Deloria, Director, American Indian Graduate Center and former American Indian Law Center Director
Thursday, April 15, 2010
“Intersection of Environmental Law and Indian Law”
Noon – 1:30 pm
Room 101 (Lunch provided)
Approved for 1.5 CLE credits
Elizabeth Kronk (Facilitator), Assistant Professor, The University of Montana School of Law
Andy Huff, Legal Counsel in State Governors Office for Advisement on Indian Law Policy Issues
Gail Small, Director, Native Action
Rich W. Janssen, Acting Natural Resources Department Head, Division Manager of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Department, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Evening with NALSA Mix and Mingle
6:00 pm
Lower Second Level
$5 at the door includes appetizers and drinksBanquet and Honoring of the Mi-Ha-Ka-Ta-Kis Award Recipient (Raymond Cross Award) and Elouise Cobell Award Recipient
Elouise Cobell Award – First Year of Award
Elouise Cobell, Lead Plaintiff in Cobell v. Salazar“Mi-Ha-Ka-Ta-Kis Award”- Joe McDonald, President, Salish Kootenai College
Flute Music Provided by Kasey Nicholson, Gros Ventre
Friday, April 16, 2010
“Ethical Issues within Indian Country and Substance Abuse/Mental Health Issues”
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Room 101
Free to Indian Law Section Members, $50.00 for Non-section members
Approved for 2 ethics CLE credits (includes 1 SAMI CLE credit)Maylinn Smith, Associate Professor, The University of Montana School of Law
Mike Larson, Montana State Bar, Hotline Counselor for Lawyers Helping Lawyers NetworkTo enroll in the Indian Law Section, visit the State Bar of Montana web site.