SPOKANE, Wash. – It’s the opening day of the Indian Land Consolidation Symposium, a three-day conference that kicks off Tuesday morning. Panelists plan to discuss issues central to the protection and preservation of natural resources, including land and water as they pertain to Native peoples.
The “Protecting & Preserving Mother Earth and Her Resources” symposium will address issues, such as the American Indian Probate Reform Act, status of the Cobell settlement, probates, appraisals, fractionation and land acquisition.
The 20th Annual Land Consolidation Symposium is hosted by the Kalispel Tribe and sponsored by the Indian Land Working Group. The conference is taking place at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino. I plan on ding a live stream (and recording) some of the panels. Go to the Buffalo’s Fire on USTREAM for the live broadcast, the first one is scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific. It’s a work in progress, so, thanks for being a part of it.
The goals of the Indian Land Working Group are to:
- Restore and preserve the native land base
- Promote native use and management of the land and resources
- Educate tribal communities about land restoration, use, and management options and models
- Support native land policy reform at the local and federal level
Here’s a look at Day 1:
Tuesday, October 26th
8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies: Veterans Color Guards, Honor Song by local Drum Group, Invocation by Kalispell Tribal Elder
Welcome Speech from Kalispell Tribal Councilmember or Elder
Welcome from ILWG Board of Director Chairman, Austin Nunez
Keynote Speaker: To Be Determined
General Session Begins 10:00 am
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Panel I: Protecting & Preserving Resources through Natural Resource Management Codes/Ordinances, Tribal Land Use & Environment Commissions
Panelists:
Randy Friedlander, Natural Resources Director, Colville
Philip Rigdon, Natural Resources Director, Yakama
10:45 am – 11:00 am Morning Break
11:00 am – 11:45 am
Panel II – Issues and Opportunities in Protecting and Advancing Indian Water Rights
Panelists: To be Determined
11:45 am – 1:00 pm Lunch on your own
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
Panel III – Trust Matters: Update on Office of the Special Trustee
Panelists:
Donna Erwin, Principal Deputy, Office of the Special Trustee
Patricia Gerard, Office of the Special Trustee
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Panel IV – Land Ownership, Land Title Records Office, TAAMS, Fractionated Ownership
Panelists:
Majel Russell, esq. (invited)
Calvin Waln, Tribal Land Enterprise (invited)
Greg Argel, Northwest Regional Realty Officer
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Afternoon Break
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Panel V – Land Acquisition (FSA Farm Bill), Land Acquisition Pilot Project, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Panelists:
Chris Stainbrook, Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Heidi Gordon, BIA Land Acquisition Project
Wanda Meierotto, Land Acquisition Project
Martin Earl, Land Acquisition Pilot Project
Farm Service Agency Representative (USDA)
I’ll keep you posted.
Jodi Rave
