Indian tents (tipis) pitched in front of Hell Gate Canyon, area where Missoula, Montana, is now situated. Mount Jumbo and Mount Sentinel on either side. Photo credit text in bottom right corner "Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana".

American Indian Governance and Policy Institute

Cobell Day 2025 Featuring Keith Harper

Elouise Cobell Day, November 5th, 2025. Featuring Keith Harper

Indian Law Section CLE Day 2025

Keynote: Protecting Culture Through Tribal Consultation: Drafting the Dialogue for Federal Engagement
This keynote will explore the intersection of Tribal sovereignty under NAGPRA, emphasizing the importance of consultation in preserving and defending the inherent rights of Tribes.

Panel 1: Defending the Indian Child Welfare Act in Montana
Panelists will discuss their experiences within the system and share tools to protect one of Tribes' most precious resources—American Indian children.

Panel 2: Montana Legislative Update
This panel will provide an inside look at the Montana American Indian Caucus, tracking important bills and collaborative advocacy efforts.

Panel 3: Tribal Consultation at the State Level: How Tribal Nations are Engaging with Montana
This panel will focus on the importance of effective communication and respectful relationships when working with Tribal Nations, helping legal advocates avoid misinformation and negligent practices.

Keynote

Protecting Culture Through Tribal Consultation: Drafting the Dialogue for Federal Engagement

Beyond ethical considerations, Tribal consultation is firmly rooted in Federal Regulations. This keynote will illuminate the intersection of Tribal sovereignty under NAGPRA, empowering legal advocates to understand and effectively use consultation as fundamental principal in preserving and defending the inherent rights of Tribes.

Panel 1 - Defending the Indian Child Welfare Act in Montana

Panelists discuss their experiences from within the system and why preserving culture for Indian children is so important. Advocates will gain first-hand knowledge of what the "spirit of ICWA" means, how ICWA courts work, and tools to protect Tribe's mos tpreciouse resource - American Indian Children.

Panel 2 - Montana Legislative Update

From bill tracking to inside the legislature, this panel will examine the bills prioritized by the Montana American Indian Caucus, and the collaborative efforts in advocating for government-to-government relations.

Panel 3 - Tribal Consultation at the State Level: How Tribal Nations are Engaging with Montana

Without proper Tribal consultation, advocates can unintentionally generate misinformation, contribute and/or create obscure laws and policies, and engage in negligent practices. This panel discusses the importance of communication and information that are reasonably sufficient to guide yourself and your client into informed and ethical outcomes. Join us to learn how to build respectful relationships when working with Tribal Nations.

Political Activism: Reformer or Revolutionary? Panel Discussion

Political Activism: Reformer or Revolutionary? Panel Discussion

Friday, February 21st, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Location: Payne Family Native American Center, University of Montana

This panel will feature Native leaders discussing political activism, resilience, and advocacy, focusing on their work from Alcatraz to U.S. Congress in shaping Indigenous policy and sovereignty. Speakers include:

Frank Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux) – Former counsel on Indian affairs and member of the National Congress of American Indians
LaNada WarJack (Shoshone-Bannock) – Influential figure in government-funded policy addressing tribes' mistreatment
Krystal Two Bulls (Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne) – Director of Honor the Earth and advocate for social and racial justice
Sapphire Carter (Chippewa Cree) – UM law student and panel moderator

"Holding On" by John Isaiah Pepion

This piece is a tribute to Indigenous warriors and the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, inspired by broken treaties and mass incarceration. Created on antique prison ledger paper, it connects the history of Plains Indian ledger art with the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights.