Indian Law Week: Indian Education for All

Nationally renowned leaders and educators in Indian country will examine the obstacles and importance of Indian education today and why its incorporation is important for primary, secondary, collegiate, and law school education, and for future practicing tribal attorneys.

Indian Law Week activities are presented by the Native American Law Students Association. For more information, contact Shane Morigeau at 406.546.7194 or shane.morigeau@umontana.edu.

NALSA was created to promote the study of Federal Indian Law, Tribal law and traditional forms of governance, and to support Native Americans in law school. NALSA strives to educate the legal community about American Indian issues.

All events are held in The University of Montana School of Law building. Unless noted, events are free and open to the public.

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

Indian Law Section Meeting
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Room 101

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