Personal Summary

Kekek Stark is a Professor of Law with the Alexander Blewitt III School of Law at the University of Montana. In this capacity he is the Co-Director of the following programs: the Indian Law Program; the Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic; and the American Indian Governance and Policy Institute. He is a Turtle Mountain Ojibwe and member of the Bizhiw (Lynx) Clan. Kekek is a former president of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, a forum Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow and alumnus of Hamline University School of Law. Kekek worked as an assistant professor with the American Indian Studies Department at the University of Minnesota – Duluth as well as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions. In addition to his teaching experience, Kekek served as the Attorney General for the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, as a policy analyst in the Division of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and as a policy analyst for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians. As a practitioner of Indigenous law, Kekek has firsthand experience in training students in how to work productively with Indigenous principles and procedures. Along the way, he has helped build institutions grounded in Anishinaabe law and has helped students and communities forge better relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous institutions and peoples, strengthening tribal sovereignty.

Education

Hamline University School of Law, Saint Paul, MN

Juris Doctor, May 2006

Social Justice Concentration with Indian Law Emphasis

                         

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Bachelor of Arts, December 2000

American Indian Studies with Ojibwe Language Emphasis                         

 

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Secondary Education, Indian Education Emphasis

Teaching Experience

Associate Professor, (2023 - Present)

Alexander Blewitt III School of Law, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

Assistant Professor, (Summer 2020 - 2022)

Alexander Blewitt III School of Law, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

A full-time tenure track appointment in the Alexander Blewitt III School of Law focusing on the Indian Law program and the Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic.

 

Assistant Professor, (Fall 2019 – Summer 2020)

University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN

A full-time tenure track appointment in the Department of American Indian Studies focusing on the following programs: the Masters of Tribal Administration and Governance program; the Masters of Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship program, the Bachelors of Arts in Tribal Administration and Governance program, and the American Indian Studies program.

 

Faculty of Law, (Fall 2018)

University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Cape Crocker, ONT

Co-Instructed the Indigenous Law in Context program for the University of Toronto Faculty of Law

 

Adjunct Professor, (Spring 2018)

Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MN

Instructed the Natural Resource portion of the following course: Introduction to Tribal Law

 

Adjunct Professor, (Spring 2011-2015)

University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN

Instructed the following courses: Masters of Tribal Administration and Governance program: Principles of Tribal Sovereignty; American Indian Studies Department: American Indian Politics – Law, Sovereignty, and Treaty Rights; Ojibwe History and Culture; and Boarding Schools and Beyond – A History of American Indian Education.

 

Adjunct Professor, (Spring 2012)

University of Wisconsin Superior, Superior, WI

Instructed the following courses at the Waaswaagoning (Lac du Flambeau) Outreach Sites: Wisconsin Native History

 

Adjunct Professor, (2009-2011)

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College, Hayward, WI

Instructed the following courses at both the Mashkiziibiing (Bad River) and Miskwaabikong (Red Cliff) Outreach Sites: Introduction to Tribal Government, U.S. Indian Policy and Law, Introduction to American Government, and Nenda-Nibwaakaang: Native American Philosophy.

Teaching Assistant

Ojibwe Etymology, Department of American Indian Studies, U of MN                    2000

Indian Education, College of Education, University of Idaho                                   1997

 

Teaching Specialist

Students Talk about Race.  University of Idaho                                                         1994 – 1997

Projects

RESEARCH REPORTS:

Stark, Kekek Jason and Dylan Jennings. “Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of Archaeological Resources Identified within the Area of Potential Effect of Great Lakes Gas Transmission Company (TransCanada Pipelines Limited) Corridor.” Final Report. September 2018.

Stark, Kekek Jason and Dylan Jennings. “Phase I Cultural Resource Survey of Archaeological Resources Identified within the Area of Potential Effect of Northern Natural Gas Company – Marquette Branch Line (WIM-15501) & Rib Lake Branch Line (WIB-22301).” Final Report. January 2018.

Stark, Kekek Jason and Sean Niso-Asin Fahrlander, Jason Manidoonoodin Schlender, Heidi Kiiwetinipinesiik Stark. “Hemino – The Good Berry Sees Us; Manoomin (Wild Rice) Management Plan of the Lake Superior Ojibwe.” GLIFWC Admin Report. December 2016.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Waawaashkeshi Waaswaa Ayaangwaami – Doodamowin: Tribal Manual on the Safe Conditions of Tribal Deer Hunting at Night While Shining Within an Established Safe Zone of Fire from a Stationary Position.” GLIFWC Admin Report. October 2015.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Waters Regulated for Tribal Wild Rice Harvesting.” GLIFWC Admin Report. October 2014.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal Disease Management Areas within the Wisconsin portion of the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories.” GLIFWC Admin Report. November 2012.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal Gathering on State Lands within the Portion of the Ceded Territory Located in the State of Wisconsin – Tribal Species of Special Concern.” GLIFWC Admin Report. May 2010.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal Gathering on State Lands within the Portion of the Ceded Territory Located in the State of Wisconsin – Tribal Designated Use, Tribal Research and Management Areas, and Tribal Closed Areas.” GLIFWC Admin Report. May 2010.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal Gathering on State Lands within the Portion of the Ceded Territory Located in the State of Wisconsin – Public Lands Open to Tribal Gathering.” GLIFWC Admin Report. May 2010.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal State Park Hunting Opportunities in the Wisconsin portion of the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories.” GLIFWC Admin Report. January 2010.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Designated Tribal River and Stream Segments in the Wisconsin portion of the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories.” GLIFWC Admin Report. January 2010.

Stark, Kekek Jason. “Tribal Alternative Monitoring of Walleye Harvest on Certain Lakes in the Wisconsin portion of the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories.” GLIFWC Admin Report. January 2010).

Publications

PUBLICATIONS:

Kekek Jason Stark, Autumn L. Bernhardt, Monte Mills, & Jason Robison, Re-Indigenizing Yellowstone, 22 Wyo. L. Rev. 397 (2022).

Kekek Jason Stark, Bezhigwan Ji-Izhi-Ganawaabandiyang: The Rights of Nature and its Jurisdictional Application for Anishinaabe Territories, 83 Mont. L. Rev. 79 (2022).

Kekek Jason Stark and Heidi Kiiwetinipinesiik Stark, Considering Our Sacred Obligations, in Opening and Clos​in​g Relations: Indigenous Spirituality in Canada (forthcoming 2022).

Kekek Jason Stark, Tribal Natural Resources in Tribal Administration Handbook: A Guide for Native Nations in the United States 176 (Rebecca M. Webster and Joseph Baukemper eds, 2022).

Kekek Jason Stark, Anishinaabe Inaakonigewin: Principles for the Intergenerational Preservation of Mino-Bimaadiziwin, 82 Mont. L. Rev. 293 (2021).

Heidi Kiiwetinipinesiik Stark and Kekek Jason Stark, Flying the Coop: ICWA and the Welfare of Indian Children, in Outsiders Within: Writings on Transracial Adoptions (2d ed. 2021).

Heidi Kiiwetinipinesiik Stark and Kekek Jason Stark, Nenabozho Goes Fishing: A Sovereignty Story, 147.2 Daedalus 17 (Spring 2018).

Marla R Emery, Alexandra Wrobel, Mark H. Hansen, Michael Dockery, W. Keith Moser, Kekek Jason Stark, and Jonathan H. Gilbert, Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a Basis for Targeted Forest Inventories: Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) in the US Great Lakes Region, 112.2 Journal of Forestry 207 (March 2014).

Sue  Oxford Academic

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Marla R. Emery

Marla R. Emery (memery@fs.fed.us), USDA Forest Service, Burlington, VT.

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Oxford Academic

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Kekek Jason Stark (jstark@glifwc.org), Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission.

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Erickson and Kekek Jason Stark, Tribes Assert Sovereignty, Affirm Relationship with Ma’iingan, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Winter 2012-2013).

Kekek Stark Jason, GLIFWC Hosts Tribal Judicial Conference, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Winter 2011-2012).

Ann McCammon-Soltis and Kekek Jason Stark, Fulfilling Ojibwe Treaty Promises – An Overview and Compendium of Relevant Cases, Statutes and Agreements, in Minwaajimo: Telling a Good Story – Preserving Ojibwe Treaty Rights for the Past 25 Years (2011).

Kekek Jason Stark, New Voigt Case Stipulation Filed with Federal Court, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Summer 2011).

Kekek Jason Stark. Book Review – The Art of Tradition: Sacred Music, Dance & Myth of Michigan’s Anishinaabe, 1946 – 1955, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Spring-Summer 2010).

Kekek Jason Stark, New Tribal Mentored Hunting Regulations, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Winter 2009-2010).

Kekek Jason Stark, Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Pass GLIFWC Warden Bill, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Winter 2007-2008).

Kekek Jason Stark, USFWS Notice of Intent Regarding Religious or Ceremonial Use of Migratory Birds other than Eagles, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe. (Fall 2007).

Kekek Jason Stark, National Fish Habitat Action Plan, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Fall 2007).

Kekek Jason Stark, Wisconsin State-Tribal Relations Committee Approves GLIFWC Warden Bill, in Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe (Spring 2007).

Heidi Kiiwetinipinesiik Stark and Kekek Jason Stark, Flying the Coop: ICWA and the Welfare of Indian Children, in Outsiders Within: Writings on Transracial Adoptions (2006).

Kekek Jason Stark. Two World Walkers, in Winds of Change (Winter 1997).

Kekek Jason Stark. Are You Indian or Something, in Muckleshoot Indian News (Winter 1996).

Affiliations

BAR MEMBERSHIP:

Admitted, Supreme Court of the United States of America                                       2015 – Present

Admitted, Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Court                                                              2015 – Present

Admitted, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit                                          2014 – Present

Admitted, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin                        2012 – Present

Admitted, Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota                                                 2006 – Present

 

PROFESSIONIAL MEMBERSHIP:

Tribal In-house Counsel Association                                                                         2021 – Present

Native American and Indigenous Studies Association                                               2019 – Present

Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute, Board of Directors                           2014 – Present

Chequamegon Bay Area Community Fund                                                               2011 – 2014

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association Vice-President                                    2011 – 2012

Shingwauk Kinoomage Gamig, Oversight Accreditation Committee                       2011

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association President                                             2008 – 2010

Mashkiziibiing (Bad River) Head Start Policy Council, Vice-Chairman                   2008 – 2010

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association Board of Directors                              2007 – 2014

National Native American Bar Association                                                               2006 – Present

American Bar Association                                                                                          2006 – Present

Minnesota State Bar Association                                                                                2006 – Present

MAIBA Board of Directors, Student Representative                                                 2005 – 2006

Anoka-Hennepin Indian Education Parent Committee                                              2005 – 2006

Nawayee Center School, Board of Directors                                                              2003 – 2006

Ojibwe – Dakota Language Revitalization Alliance                                                  2003 – 2006

National Native American Law Student Association                                                2002 – 2006

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association                                                             2002 – Present

Ojibwe Language Society Inc.                                                                                   2001 – 2002

American Indian Science and Engineering Society                                                   1994 – 1998

American Educational Studies Association                                                               1996 – 1997

Specialized Skills

Proficient in ability to speak, read, and write in the Ojibwe language.  Passed the University of Minnesota Graduation Proficiency Test in Ojibwe, which tests speaking, writing, reading, and the ability to transcribe the language.

Professional Experience

Attorney General, (2014 – 2020)

Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Hayward, WI

Attorney General and advisor to the Tribal Governing Board. Acted as liaison to federal, other tribal, state, and local governments. Worked on and provided technical supervision of the Office of the Attorney General on numerous issues including treaty rights, natural and cultural resources, land use, real property, environmental, employment law and litigation. 

 

Policy Analyst, (2017)

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Odanah, WI

Policy Analyst and advisor to the Historic Preservation Office and Natural Resource Department. Worked on and provided policy guidance in the areas of aboriginal rights, treaty rights, cultural property rights, and historic preservation laws.

 

Attorney / Policy Analyst, (2006 – 2014)

Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI

In-house counsel and Policy Analyst for Inter-tribal Agency. Worked on the preservation, implementation and utilization of treaty reserved rights.

 

Student Intern Law Clerk, (2005)

Faegre & Benson, Minneapolis, MN

            Provide research and assistance involving Indian Law related litigation.

 

Clinical Practioner, (2005)

Hamline University School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic, St. Paul, MN

Provided research, intake, and advocacy assistance regarding child protection cases.

 

ICWA Court Monitor, (2005)

Minneapolis American Indian Center, Indian Child Welfare Act Program, Minneapolis, MN

Observed Juvenile Court Proceedings for compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

 

Legal Researcher, (2004)

Snohomish Tribe of Indians, Chimacum, WA

Analyzed BAR (Bureau of Acknowledgment Research) proceedings for the Federal Recognition Process.

 

Teacher, (1999 – 2005) Social Studies, Native History, Ojibwe Language

Nawayee Center School, Inc., Minneapolis, MN

Developed curriculum and instructed 7 – 12 grade students, advocate, and advisor.

 

Youth Worker, (1998 – 2000)

Ain Dah Yung (Our Home) Native Youth Center, St. Paul, MN

            Supervised and worked with at risk Native youth.