KU News Release

Tribal law conference casts eye on future of indigenous policy making

LAWRENCE — Most people think of Indian treaty making as a convention of the past, but a leading tribal scholar will make a case for its resurgence during the 13th annual Tribal Law and Government Conference at the University of Kansas School of Law.

Robert Clinton, Foundation Professor of Law at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, will present “The Return of Indian Treaty Making” during the event, set to run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Gridiron Room in the Burge Union, 1601 Irving Hill Road. His presentation is part of a lineup that represents a forward-focused view of tribal law and governance.

“The speakers are experts in their field and represent a good interdisciplinary cross-section of law and policy,” said Stacy Leeds, professor of law and director of the Tribal Law and Government Center at the KU School of Law. “In contrast to many conferences that focus on federal case decisions and federal law as it relates to Indian tribes, the speakers at this conference will offer observations on the role of tribal law and tribal governments.

“They each will discuss new approaches or new perspectives on tribal decision making and tribal governance with an eye toward the future. The presentations will not dwell on the history of federal Indian law and policy but instead, on the future of indigenous law and policy making.”

In addition to Clinton, who is chief justice of the Winnebago Supreme Court and associate justice of other tribal courts, conference presenters will include:

— Patrice Kunesh, University of South Dakota School of Law, “Tribal Self-Determination in the Age of Scarcity”
— Aliza Organick, Washburn University School of Law, “Teaching Culture in the Classroom: Tribal Law and Best Practices in Legal Education”
— Steve Russell, Indiana University, “Sequoyah Rising: Doing What We Can with What We’ve Got”
— Christine Zuni-Cruz, University of New Mexico School of Law, “‘Who are You?’ Indigenous Identity and the Lines of Tribe”
— Jeff Corntassel, University of Victoria School of Law, “Indigenous Governance Amidst the Forced Federalism Era”

The conference is free, but registration is appreciated. Registration and more information are available online at the School of Law Web site.

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