Welcome to the Native American Law Center

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Find out the latest news! Check out what's happening with the Native American Law Center!

We will be posting news items here, and have also begun publishing a newsletter. As each edition of the newsletter is released, we will post it here in PDF format.

Native Justice PowWow a Rousing Success: The Third Annual Native Justice PowWow was a wonderful event and garnered praise and compliments from those who attended. The drum was strong and the dancers were many. It was particularly great to see Rusty Creed Brown (Head Man Dancer) on the floor with his own father, Kenneth Anderson Brown (Head Gourd Dancer). Also doing an excellent job were the other head staff: Bernice Delorme (Head Lady Dancer), Herb Adson (Head Singer), and Larry Tsosie (Arena Director). Finally we would like to extend a warm round of thanks to Mr. Archie Mason (Master of Ceremonies) without whom this event would not have gone as smoothly as it did nor would it have been possible at all. Thanks to all members of TU NALSA (especially Nicci Small), Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (this year's PowWow honorees), and to the entire Native community who came out to show their support for all of those who work to keep us safe and make sure that justice is being done in Indian Country. Yokoke (Thank you in Choctaw).
Third Native Justice PowWow Set for Friday, February 29th: TU NALSA, with a grant from the Law School Admissions Council, will host a traditional PowWow on Friday, February 29th. The event will include a free community dinner, raffle, and many vendors. The PowWow will follow a day of programs that will highlight Native Pre-Law Day at the University of Tulsa College of Law. For more information about Native Pre-Law Day, please contact Martha Cordell (martha-cordell@utulsa.edu), For more information about the PowWow please contact Nicci Small (judith-small@utulsa.edu). See you there!
TU NALC Featured in Diverse: University of Tulsa's Native American Law Center is featured prominently in this month's issue of DIVERSE: Issues In Higher Education. The article presents complimentary coverage of TU Law Alum and Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney, Brenda Christie, as well as very favorable mentions of and quotes from Professor Melissa Tatum. Both interviewees speak highly of the TU Native Law Programs and the growth of Native law in general. Read the entire article here.
Candice Freeman, TU NALSA President, Honored with Three Awards: Candice Freeman, President of NALSA, has been honored with three awards. She was chosen by the faculty to receive the Martin Fellow Smith award, which goes to "the student designated by the faculty as the most outstanding student in the College of Law." In addition, Candice was chosen by the Energy Law Journal to receive both the Sue Lorenz Memorial Award and the Gomer Award for Best Editor.
TU Law Grad Sean Hanlon Publishes Seminar Paper: Congratulations to Sean Hanlon, who graduated in December 2006. Sean's article, "A Non-Indian Entity is Polluting Indian Waters: Water Your Rights to the Waters and Water Ya Gonna Do About It?" will be published this Fall by the University of Montana Law Review. The article was originally written for the American Indian Law Seminar.
NALC Alum Chad Burris Wins Silverman Fellowship: NALC Alum Chad Burris (Chickasaw) was awarded the Mark Silverman Fellowship for New Producers from the prestigious Sundance Institute. The fellowship includes both grant money and support from five Sundance mentors. Burris produced the feature film "Four Sheets to the Wind" (see news item below) which was one of only 16 films selected for screening at this year's Sundance Film Festival drama competition. Congratulations Chad!
TU NALSA Excels at National Competition: The TU NALSA moot court teams competed this past weekend in Minnesota. The teams consisted of Candice Freeman, Leslie Dubois-Need, Corey Rogers and Phillip Countryman. They were coached by Brenda S. Christie and Shannon Prescott (Staff Attorneys at the Muscogee (Creek) Legal Clinic). There were a total of 34 teams competing. At the awards dinner on Saturday night, the TU team of Corey Rogers and Phillip Countryman were recognized as 3rd Best overall and Leslie Dubois-Need was recognized as Best Oralist! We are all very proud of their accomplishments and congratulate everyone involved in this tremendous success.
NALC Professor Publishes New Gaming Law Casebook: Carolina Academic Press (CAP) has published a new law school casebook, Tribal Governmental Gaming Law -- Cases and Materials, by NALC's Professor G. William Rice. It is available from CAP or from local bookstores. This resource compiles the significant case law, the statute, legislative history, and NIGC administrative decisions about Indian Gaming. It can be used for a law school gaming class or as a set of resource materials. This casebook joins Native American Natural Resources Law (CAP), co-authored by NALC's Professor Judith Royster, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Court Reporter, compiled and edited by NALC's Professor Melissa Tatum, and Cohen's Handbook of Federal Indian Law (LexisNexis 2005 Ed.) containing contributions by each of the NALC faculty, as important resources for the study of advanced issues in Indian law and policy.
Four Sheets to the Wind Actress Wins Award: Four Sheets to the Wind, the movie co-produced by Chad Burris (TU JD), didn't win the prize it was nominated for, but one of the actresses in it won an award. According to the Sundance site, "The Jury for the Independent Film Dramatic Competition also presented two special Jury Prizes. Special Jury Prizes for Acting were presented to Jess Weixler in Teeth and to Tamara Podemski in Four Sheets to the Wind 'for a fully realized physical and emotional turn.'" Congratulations Chad!
Native American Pre Law Day and Native Justice Powwow: The University of Tulsa College of Law is hosting a Native American Pre Law Day and Native Justice Powwow on Saturday, February 24, from 8:30 am to 10:00 p.m. The pre law day and powwow, made possible through a grant from the Law School Admission Council, are being co-sponsored by the University of Tulsa College of Law, Oklahoma City University School of Law, the Oklahoma Indian Bar Association, and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. For more information, please contact: candice-freeman@utulsa.edu.
Christine Folsom-Smith Named Tribal Program Attorney at NTJC: TU Law Alum, Christine Folsom-Smith was named Tribal Program Attorney for the National Tribal Judicial Center, a program of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. Folsom-Smith earned her J.D. from TU College of Law and is currently a candidate in TU's Native LL.M. Program. We congratulate Christine and wish her the best in her new position.
Professor Melissa Tatum Speaks at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department: Thursday, October 26, 2006, Professor Melissa Tatum spoke to a joint meeting of law enforcement officers at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Department. The group meets regularly to coordinate efforts to combat domestic violence and enforce protection orders. They invited Professor Tatum to speak to them because several questions had arisen about the authority of state and county law enforcement officers in Indian country. Professor Tatum has written and lectured extensively on this topic.
TU NALSA Hosts Film Festival: TU NALSA's chapter will be hosting a Native Film Festival on Saturday, November 11th. The Film Festival will be held in the Allen Chapman Activity Center at the University of Tulsa; it will begin at 10:00 Saturday morning and go until 9:15 Saturday evening. Different films will be shown on two screens and will include both documentaries and dramas.
Stacy Leeds Named Chair of Tribal Courts Council: Justice Stacy L. Leeds (TU JD 1997) of the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court has been named chair of the Tribal Courts Council, a committee within the American Bar Association Judicial Division. Leeds, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, will serve a two year term. Also named to the Tribal Courts Council Executive Committee are Michael McBride III, Tulsa, Oklahoma (NALC Supporter); Patrick Edward Moore, Okmulgee, Oklahoma (TU LL.M. 2003). Congratulations, everyone!
TU Law Prof. Presents to OK Tax Comm.: Professor Judith Royster made a presentation on "Property Taxation of Indians in Oklahoma" to the Oklahoma Tax Commission's Ad Valorem Tax Conference on August 10. In addition, her article "Montana at the Crossroads" was published at 38 Connecticut Law Review 631 (2006).
MLIC Librarian Hosts Elouise Cobell at AALL Conference: Faye Hadley, Native American Resources Law Librarian, organized a talk by Elouise Cobell at this year's Annual Meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Cobell spoke about the ongoing class action lawsuit, Cobell v. Kempthorne, that addresses the Indian Trust Fund moneys for which the federal government has not been able to account. She provided the audience of over 75 law librarians with a history of the case and summarized recent developments in the case. Ms. Cobell received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her presentation.
TU Law Grad Appointed to Cherokee Supreme Court: Justice Kyle Haskins, a TU grad, was appointed to the Cherokee Supreme Court under the new 1999 Constitution. Here is a link that explains the changes that resulted under the new Cherokee Constitution
NALC Releases New Promotional DVD: Thanks to Chad Burris, a NALC alumnus and film producer, NALC has a new promotional DVD.
TU NALSA Honors Students: On Saturday, May 6th TU NALSA hosted a luncheon to honor this year's graduates. Among those students receiving awards were Brian Utsey (Outstanding LL.M. Student), Katrina Jacuk (Outstanding J.D. Student), Leslie Dubois (Outstanding NALSA Member), and Pat Green (Outstanding Native Natural Resources Student). Also receiving recognition were Christina Vaughn who earned an Indian Law Certificate and Christine Folsom-Smith and Theresa Holtz who both earned their LL.M. degrees in American Indian and Indigenous Law. Graduation and the College of Law Hooding Ceremony followed the luncheon.
Sherry Walkabout Receives Honorable Mention from AAAS: TU College of Law 3L, Sherry Walkabout, was recognized for her outstanding paper presentation by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Southwestern & Rocky Mountain Division held at TU on April 5-8, 2006. Sherry's paper was on "The Indian Child Welfare Act," which she originally wrote for the American Indian Seminar taught by Professor Tatum. Congratulations Sherry!
TU College of Law Well-represented at Federal Bar Assoc. Indian Law Conf.: Professor Kathleen Supernaw presented on a panel that discussed enrollment issues at the 31st Annual Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference in Albuquerque, NM. Several law professors (Royster, Rice, Tatum, and Limas) attended the conference, along with many TU NALSA students and a contigent from the Muscogee (Creek) Legal Clinic.
TU Law Faculty & TU Law Grads Speak at Muscogee (Creek) CLE: Professors Judith Royster, Melissa Tatum, and Bill Rice along with TU Law Grads, Professors Stacy Leeds and Tai Helton, each spoke on various topics ranging from tribal property rights, water rights, criminal jurisdiction in Indian country, tax issues, to Indian gaming at "Doing Business in Indian Country," the 4th Annual CLE hosted by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The conference was organized by TU Law LL.M. grads Judge Patrick Moore and Professor Shelly Grunsted. The CLE conference was held at OSU/Okmulgee campus on March 9 & 10, 2006.
Wilma Mankilller Speaks at TU: Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (1985 - 1995), the first and only woman to hold the position, spoke at Sharp Chapel on TU Campus on March 7, 2006.
Navajo Justice Named Judge in Residence: Justice Lorene Ferguson of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court served as this year's Judge in Residence. Justice Ferguson was on campus March 20-21, 2006, during which time she visited several classes, met with students and faculty, and delivered a colloquy.
TU NALSA Moot Court Teams Compete in Seattle: Candice Freeman, Leslie Dubois, Taylor Burke, and Gil Pilkington competed in the National NALSA Moot Court competition in February 2006. Both teams were very well-prepared, thanks in large part to the excellent coaching of Lori Guevara and Brian Utsey. Their hard work paid off - and the team of Leslie Dubois and Candice Freeman earned third place overall in the national competition!
TU Alum Wins Award: Stacy Leeds (JD 1997) was been named this year's recipient of the Clyde Ferguson Award by the AALS Minority Law Section. The award was presented January 6, 2006, at a luncheon held in Washington, D.C. The Clyde Ferguson Award is granted to an outstanding law teacher, who has achieved excellence in public service, teaching and scholarship. The award is particularly aimed at those who have provided support and mentoring to colleagues, students, and aspiring law teachers. Congratulations Professor Leeds!
Wilma Mankilller Speaks at TU: Wilma Mankiller, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (1985 - 1995), the first and only woman to hold the position, spoke at Sharp Chapel on TU Campus on Tuesday evening, March 7, 2006. After her exceptional talk, Ms. Mankiller was presented with a Pendleton blanket (an honor given to Ms. Mankiller from TU's Native American Law Program) by Vicki Limas and Kathleen Supernaw - both TU law professors and co-directors of the Native American Law Center at TU.
TU NALC Announces Judge in Residence: TU College of Law is proud to announce that Justice Lorene Ferguson of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court has agreed to serve as this year's Judge in Residence. Justice Ferguson was appointed to the Navajo Nationo Supreme Court in October 2001 as an Associate Justice. During various periods in 2004 and 2005, she served as Acting Chief Justice of that Court. Justice Ferguson was born and raised on the Navajo Nation, earned her Bachelor's degree in English literature and her law degree from the University of New Mexico, and has also worked as a staff attorney for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. Justice Ferguson has served on the faculty of the National Judicial College and currently lives in Albuquerque. Justice Ferguson will be on campus March 20-21, 2006, during which time she will visit several classes, meet with students and faculty, and deliver a colloquy.
TU NALSA Moot Court Teams Compete in Seattle: Candice Freeman, Leslie Dubois, Taylor Burke, and Gil Pilkington competed in the National NALSA Moot Court competition in Seattle, WA, February 10 & 11, 2006. Both teams were very well-prepared, thanks in large part to the excellent coaching of Lori Guevara and Brian Utsey. Their hard work paid off - both teams advanced out of the first round of competition, and the team of Leslie Dubois and Candice Freeman earned third place overall in the national competition! Congratulations to everyone involved in this successful endeavor.
TU Alum Wins Award: Stacy Leeds (JD 1997) has been named this year's recipient of the Clyde Ferguson Award by the AALS Minority Law Section. The award was presented January 6, 2006, at a luncheon held in Washington, D.C. The Clyde Ferguson Award is granted to an outstanding law teacher, who has achieved excellence in public service, teaching and scholarship. The award is particularly aimed at those who have provided support and mentoring to colleagues, students, and aspiring law teachers. Congratulations Professor Leeds!
Two Students Earn Native Law Certificate: TU Law recent graduates, Katrina Jacuk and Scott Goode, both earned a certificate in Native Law along with their J.D.s this semester. A reception to honor Katrina and Scott was held Saturday, December 17 before the graduation ceremony. Congratulations Katrina and Scott!
TU LL.M. Alum Lands Position in DC: Dawn Sturdevant Baum (TU LL.M. 2005) has accepted a position as an attorney with the EPA Environmental Appeals Board in Washington D.C. Dawn has served as a Legal Fellow and most recently as Staff Attorney with the Muscogee Creek Nation Clinic. We will miss Dawn, but wish her well in her new job. Best wishes, Dawn!
TU NALSA Sponsors Angel Tree: Once again TU's NALSA chapter is sponsoring an Angel Tree that will benefit local Native children. Hanging from the tree are the names, ages, and gift requests from Native children who live in foster care or orphanages. The support of the entire TU Law community will make the holidays happier for many Native children.
TU Alum Publishes Article in American Indian Law Review: Angelique EagleWoman (TU LL.M. 2004) recently published an article in the American Indian Law Review. The article is entitled Re-Establishing the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate's Reservation Boundaries: Building a Legal Rationale from Current International Law. The article appears in volume 29 and begins on page 239. Congratulations Angelique!
Boesche Staff Attorney Speaks at Conference: Lori Guevara, staff attorney at the Boesche Legal Clinic / Muscogee (Creek) Nation Program, has been invited to speak at the Rocky Mountain Regional Clinical Conference to be held at Texas Tech University on October 21 and 22. Lori will be addressing the issue of social justice aspects of legal clinics. Congratulations Lori!
New Clinic Fellow Named: Joe Mrstik is the new Muscogee (Creek) Nation Legal Fellow. Joe obtained his law degree at the University of Idaho along with a M.S. in Environmental Science. He is a recent graduate of TU's LL.M. program in American Indian Law. His experience includes working in the Alaska Public Defender's Office, clerking for the Alaska Superior Court, and serving as an associate for Elam & Burke. He is a member of the Alaska and Idaho Bar Associations. Please welcome Joe to the Boecshe Legal Clinic.
TU Hosts First Native Justice Powwow: Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the First Annual "Native Justice Powwow," hosted by the University of Tulsa Native American Law Center and Native American Law Student Association. Join us on the TU campus (ACAC) on SUNDAY, October 30, starting with a gourd dance program at 1:00 p.m. For those of you who plan to attend the NCAI conference, our date coincides with that event.
ICOT Hosts Annual Powwow: The Indian Club of Tulsa is hosting their annual powwow August 12, 13, 14, 2005 in the IPE building on the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Organizers say the event features all the pomp and circumstance one would expect from a world-class powwow, including Head singer, Henry Walker, Jr. and both Southern and Northern drums. Tiffany Kein-Taddle Harris is the 2005-06 Princess. Admission is $5 per person/5 years and under is free. (Admission includes $1 Fairgrounds ticket charge.) For more information call 918-828-8276 or 918-836-1523.
TU Law Librarian Moderates Panel at Sovereignty Symposium 2005: Faye Hadley, Native American Resources/Reference Law Librarian, moderated a panel at this year’s Sovereignty Symposium. The panel was entitled “Indian Country Online” and addressed Native legal resources that are available via the Internet. The panel was co-moderated and introduced by Chief Justice Joseph Watt (Oklahoma Supreme Court). The panel speakers included Joan Howland, Christine Zuni-Cruz, Victoria Santana, Douglas Lind, Marilyn Nicely, Terri Calloway, Cokie Anderson and David Maxwell. The Symposium was held in Oklahoma City on June 1 & 2.
TU NALSA Receives Special Award: TU's NALSA chapter received a special recognition award at this year's Sovereignty Symposium conference. The award was a surprise and was presented during the annual joint meeting of the Oklahoma Indian Bar Association (OIBA) and the Indian Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association. TU's NALSA chapter received a signed certificate of commendation and a large, reproduction 1890 map of the Indian Territory, which had previously hung in the office of the US Attorney in Oklahoma City. Congratulations TU NALSA!
NALC Hosts Osage Tribal Government Reform Commission: Kathy Supernaw, Supervising Attorney, TU Legal Clinic - Muscogee (Creek) Program, arranged a day-long training session for fifteen members of the Osage Nation held at TU College of Law, Thursday, May 19th. The training included a session on Tribal Courts & Codes taught by Professor Melissa Tatum, a session on Tribal Constitutions presented by Professor Bill Rice, along with sessions taught by Associate Dean Vicki Limas and Professor Judith Royster.
TU Law Alum Publishes Article in Law Review: TU law alum, Jared B. Cawley (J.D. 2003, LL.M. 2004), had his article "Just When You Thought it was Safe to Go Back on the Rez: Is it Safe?" published in the Cleveland State Law Review (52 Clev. St. L. Rev. 413). Congratulations Jared!
TU Law Folks Attend Dream Keepers Banquet: Kathy Supernaw, Supervising Attorney, TU Legal Clinic - Muscogee (Creek) Program, Dawn Baum, Legal Fellow, TU Legal Clinic - Muscogee (Creek) Program, and Faye Hadley, Native American Resources Law Librarian, all attended the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission Awards Banquet on May 17, 2005. The awards dinner was held at OSU/Tulsa and honored ten outstanding members of the Tulsa Indian community. Among the honorees were Julia Tiger, Mark Wilson, Linda Alexander, and Tom Moore.
TU Law Faculty Present Inaugural Student Awards: The Native American Law Faculty recognized the most outstanding graduating students for their academic achievement, community service, and commitment to Indian Law in both the J.D. and LL.M. program. The inaugural Conner & Winters Outstanding LL.M. Student Award was presented to Dawn Sturdevant Baum. The inaugural Sneed, Lang Outstanding J.D. Student Award was presented to Amanda Proctor and Chad Burris (tie). All three awards were presented at Saturday night's NALSA reception before the Hooding Ceremony. Congratulations Dawn, Amanda, and Chad!
TU Alum Chad Smith selected for ALI: Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma since 1999, has been selected for membership in the American Law Institute (ALI), an affiliation of noted federal and state judges, lawyers and law scholars. Membership in the organization is based on professional achievement and dedication to improve law.
TU NALSA Elects New Slate of Officers: TU's NALSA Chapter elected new officers at their meeting on April 21, 2005. The new NALSA President is Brian Utsey, Vice-President is Leslie Dubois, Treasurer(s) are Katrina Jacuk and Candice Freeman (serving a split term due to Katrina's December graduation and Candice's fall semester in London), Secretary is Gil Pilkington, and the Public Relations/Historian position will be filled by Jaimee Reid. Congratulations new officers! And many, many thanks to out-going NALSA President, Amanda Proctor, who served TU NALSA so honorably and ably.
Brian Utsey Elected Area 3 Representative for National NALSA: Brian Utsey, a 3L student at University of Tulsa College of Law, was elected the Area 3 Representative for the National Native American Law Students Association during the association's annual meeting held in conjunction with the Federal Indian Bar conference in Albuqerque, NM. Congratulations Brian!
Professor Judith Royster Speaks at Symposium: Professor Judith Royster was among other great legal scholars who comprised a panel that addressed a very timely topic: "The Federal-Tribal Trust Relationship." The panel/symposium was hosted by the American Indian Law Center (University of New Mexico) and included other Native scholars Stacy Leeds, Kevin Gover, Sam Deloria, and Bob Anderson. The symposium was held the Saturday following the Federal Indian Bar conference in Albuquerque.
TU Well-represented at Federal Indian Bar Conference: Professor Judith Royster and Dean Vicki Limas, along with TU alum Stacy L. Leeds, will all be on the program at this year's Federal Indian Bar Conference held in Albuquerque, NM, April 14 & 15, 2005.
Richard West Speaks at University of Tulsa: In celebration of its 75th Anniversary, McFarlin Library sponsored a free public lecture by W. Richard West, Jr. on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 in Great Hall at Allen Chapman Activity Center. On the morning of April 5, the TU community was also invited to an informal meeting with Mr. West from 10:30-11:30 AM in the Turpen Price Courtroom in John Rogers Hall.
Professor Rennard Strickland spoke at TU: Professor Rennard Strickland delivered the Buck Colbert Franklin Memorial Civil Rights Lecture at the University of Tulsa College of Law on Monday, March 28 at 7:30pm in the Chapman Auditorium in Kendall Hall on the TU campus. The following evening a dinner was held in Professor Strickland's honor. Cheorkee Principal Chief Chad Smith, Osage Chief Jim Gray, and former Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller all were in attendance.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation hosts third annual CLE in Okmulgee: "Doing Business in Indian Country" is the title of the CLE that the Muscogee Nation is hosting in Okmulgee, OK on March 10 & 11, 2005. The University of Tulsa will be well represented by Professor Judith Royster, Dean Vicki Limas and LL.M. candidate, John Williams. The CLE is ably organized by TU LL.M. graduates Judge Patrick Moore and Shelly Grunsted.
Four More LL.M. Grads: At the Dec. 18th hooding ceremony, four more students earned their LL.M. degree, and for the first time, all four were "with honor", which requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater
NALSA Angel Tree: Thanks to all who participated in the 2004 Angel Tree project, which collected and distributed more than 130 presents for foster children in the custody of three area tribes.
NALSA president wins service award: Congratulations to Amanda Proctor (JD '05), who was given the Marcy Lawless Award for service!
Judge Brown: Rusty Brown, current LL.M. candidate and holder of the Native American Law Certificate, was recently elected as a judge of the Delaware Tribe. Congratulations!

University of Tulsa College of Law

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