Indian Law Clinics Conference

SAVE THE DATE
June 7-9, 2009

Third Annual Indian Law Clinics and Externship Programs: Symposium and Workshop

Sponsors
Southwest Indian Law Clinic UNM School of Law
University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Contributors
The Tribal Law Practice Clinic Washburn University School of Law
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

Where: Isleta Casino & Resort, Pueblo of Isleta (located just south of Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Web site: www.isleta-casino.com

For: Professors, Directors, Clinicians and Staff of Indian Law, Poverty Law, Economic Justice and Community Lawyering Clinics and those interested in carefully considering their work with Communities through the provision of legal representation.

Goal: To dedicate time and space for Indian law clinics and other clinicians working with minority populations to work in solidarity on Poverty Law and Community Lawyering issues, to discuss our shared mission and differing perspectives, and to support new ideas

We look forward to your participation in our Exciting Symposium Program.

Watch for more Program details Coming Soon.

Contacts:
Professor Christine Zuni Cruz Professor Aliza OrganickProfessor Barbara Creel Tribal Law Practice Clinic
Southwest Indian Law Clinic Washburn University School of Law

UNM School of Law 785-670-1664

505-277-5265 (P)

aliza.organick@washburn.edu
zunich@law.unm.edu
creel@law.unm.edu

For registration information contact:
Mitzi Vigil
vigil@law.unm.edu
(505) 277-0405

Legal Considerations in Today's Financial Markets

Katosha Belvin Nakai ('03) has written an article that was featured on page 10 of the December/January issue of Native American Journal. The article is titled "Legal considerations in Today's Financial Markets".

Katosha is an attorney with Lewis and Roca, LLP. Her practice focuses on government regulation, infrastructure and resource development in Indian Country.

Congrats Katosha!

CLE in Colorado before NNALSA Moot Court Competition

Native Americans, Race and the Constitution
Friday, February 27, 2009
8:30 - Noon

University of Colorado Law School
Wolf Law building - Room 204
2450 Kittredge Loop Road
Boulder, CO

Tuition $100
3 Gernal and .5 CLE applied for

To register and for more information visit:
http://lawweb.colorado.edu/events/details.jsp?id=1923
or contact Jill Tompkins
jill.tompkins@colorado.edu
(303) 492.8126

Presented by the CU and DU Chapters of the Native American Law Students Association

Reception for Regent Leonard

The first Native American appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents said she’s honored to serve on the board, but it comes with a great challenge. “It’s being a part of history, but it’s also a great responsibility to represent not only Native Americans but also rural Arizona,” said LuAnn Leonard, a member of the Hopi Tribe.

The Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law hosted a reception Wednesday to honor Leonard, who joined the board in March. Gov. Janet Napolitano chose to nominate Leonard in a push to find experienced leaders in education from counties with fewer than 800,000 people, Leonard said.

“When I got the call from the governor’s office … I knew that if I didn’t try and say yes to going forward with the nomination that we might miss an opportunity for Native Americans,” she said.
“Napolitano knew there had never been a Native American regent, and she wanted to change it.”
Leonard said she has made it her goal to increase awareness of Native communities at the state universities. She said she has invited President Michael Crow to visit her community next summer. NAU President John Haeger and UA President Robert Shelton have already visited. "It was really eye-opening to them,” she said. “Our way of life in rural communities is very different.”

Peterson Zah, former president of the Navajo Nation, said Leonard is an important addition to the board because of her experience in unique Native education systems. “They are not doing very well retention wise,” said Zah, who also works at ASU as an adviser on American Indian affairs. “They have a significant problem. They have unique problems only someone like Regent Leonard can identify.”

Zah said Leonard would be able to show her experience at the ABOR meeting Thursday, when regents are set to vote on a tribal consultation policy would require each university to designate tribal liaisons and submit annual reports regarding relations with Native American tribes. "Regent Leonard would be able to bring the regents’ attention to that [relationship],” he said.

Rebecca Tsosie, executive director of the Indian Legal Program, told Leonard her appointment is a great step forward for Native American education. “It was like a dream that someone like you could be able to represent our people,” she said. “We are in a time of transformation, but your leadership will lead us through.”

Ross Meyer, a student regent from ASU, said Leonard adds to the diverse spectrum of ABOR, which helps ensure accessibility to education and financial aid. “It’s great to get that perspective on the board,” said Meyer, a second-year law student. “She’s a great addition.”

Leonard said she is looking forward to being a part of shaping the future of the university system at Thursday’s ABOR meeting, but she would not comment on how she will vote on the tuition proposals.

To conclude the ceremony, members of the Indian Legal Program gave Leonard an ASU stationery set. Leonard said anyone attending the ASU-UA football game can expect to see her showing it off. “I’ll be flashing the ASU pen,” she said.

Reach the reporter at adam.sneed@asu.edu.

Professor Clinton's Presentations

Professor Robert N. Clinton of the Indian Legal Program spoke on a panel, "One Country, Separate Sovereigns: Emerging Issues in Indian Law," at the Appellate Judges Education Institute this weekend. The conference brought together federal and state appellate judges, appellate staff attorneys and appellate lawyers, was held at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale on Nov. 13-16. Also on the panel with Clinton was Judge William Canby Jr. of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and a founding faculty member of the College of Law, Judge Joseph Thomas Flies-Away of the Hualapai Tribal Court, and Elizabeth Rosenbaum, an Indian law practitioner. The panel was moderated by Charles G. Cole of Steptoe & Johnson. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor spoke at the annual dinner on Nov. 15.



Professor Clinton will be presenting “The Return of Indian Treaty Making” at the University of Kansas on Friday, February 13, 2009. The 2008-2009 Tribal Law and Government Conference will focus on “Innovations in Tribal Governance”

Professor Tsosie's Presentations

Tsosie at ALA Conference
Rebecca Tsosie presented at the Cultural Heritage and Living Culture Conference in Washington DC. In November the American Library Association’s Office of Information Technology Policy hosted a thoroughly stimulating conference on Cultural Heritage and Living Culture: Defining the U.S. Library Position on Access and Protection of Traditional Cultural Expression. The conference aimed to discuss and debate the present and historical role of archives, libraries, and museums in preserving and providing access to the “traditional cultural expressions” (TCE) of indigenous people and traditional communities worldwide. The conference further aimed to begin forming ALA positions on TCE, including how the rights of native people in their own TCE interact with conventional Western concepts and codifications of intellectual property. ALA will be able to carry forth these positions to discussions with global organizations such as UNESCO and the United Nation’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO’s Intergovermental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore (IGC), addresses protections for TCE, which affect and are affected by international copyright treaties and U.S. copyright law.

Tsosie at ITCA Conference
In October, Professor Tsosie presented at the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona’s conference “Future Directions of Tribal Health Research in Arizona” on Intellectual Property and Cultural Property.

JOB: Gila River Prosecuter (2 positions)

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

PROSECUTOR I
$58,892 per annum (DOE)
(2 vacancies)

DEPARTMENT NAME AND NUMBER RECRUITMENT OPENS AND CLOSES

Law Office 2009-092 December 2, 2008 to December 16, 2008
(Criminal Division, 151 S. Bluebird, Sacaton)


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The Prosecutor I position involves representing the Community in the litigation of criminal complaints, civil petitions and juvenile offender matters in the Community courts as plaintiff or petitioner; represents the Community in Court at arraignments/initial hearings, pretrial/status conferences, review and evidentiary hearings and trials/adjudications; legal research and writing; intimately familiar with professional responsibilities as an Attorney; and will likely be assigned to Children’s Court.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
· Conduct legal research, analysis and document production related to the litigation of criminal and civil cases in the Community courts.
· Draft legal pleadings for the Community courts.
· Gather and analyze evidence in criminal and civil cases.
· Maintain case files, calendars and database for criminal and civil cases.
· Assist in the development, revision and codification of the Community’s laws, resolution and ordinances.
· Assist in representing the Community at meetings, court proceedings and other functions.
· Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:
· Background and knowledge of criminal law with some practical experience in criminal case preparation and litigation preferred;
· Knowledge of and experience in application of the principles of jurisprudence and legal analysis, including a background in and knowledge of Federal Indian Law;
· Ability to work both independently and intensive concern with others;
· Ability to clearly and succinctly articulate ideas and logical analysis both orally and in writing;
· Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Officials and the general public;
· Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited school of law with current membership in good standing with the Arizona State Bar or must take and pass the Arizona Bar of Exam within one (1) year of employment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:
Valid state driver’s license with proof of driving record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit. Proof of driving record must be submitted with application.

OVERTIME STATUS: Salaried
SUPERVISORY STATUS: Non-Supervisory
Reports to General Counsel or designee

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S. Code, Section 472 and 473). The Gila River Indian Community is also committed to achieving the full and equal opportunity without discrimination because of Race, Religion, Color, Sex, National Origin, Politics, Marital Status, Physical Handicap, Age or Sexual Orientation. In other than the above, the Gila River Indian Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are claiming Preference Points in one or more of the following categories please attach a copy of the required documentation to the completed Employment Application.

· Six (6) preference points for Community Members (with proof of enrollment)
· Three (3) preference points for Native Americans (must meet membership requirement of an established Tribe)
· One (1) preference point for Spouse of Community Member (with proof of spouse enrollment)
· One (1) preference point for Veteran (must meet statutory requirements)

DEADLINE: Employment Applications are available at all District Service Centers, the Human Resources Department and online at www.gilariver.org. Employment Applications must be received in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm on the closing date.

TO AVOID DELAYS, APPLICATIONS CAN BE MAILED OR FAXED TO:

Gila River Indian Community, Human Resources Department
Post Office Box 97
Sacaton, Arizona 85247
Fax: (520) 562-9809