Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

University of Montana: Day 3 of Indian Law Week

JT Shining Oneside shared stories about her Ojibwe and Anishinaabe inheritance during the Native American Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 15. She spoke about the coming-of-age and traditional birth ceremonies. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

nalsa_logoHappy Wednesday Readers:

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 101

Opening 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 credits

Ray 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 101

Gyda 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 101

Sam 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 drinks

Banquet 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 Network

To enroll in the Indian Law Section, visit the State Bar of Montana web site.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.