The Next 25: The Self-Determination Era and the Future of Indian Affairs

 The Next 25: The Self-Determination Era and the Future of Indian Affairs

A symposium on the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

Our symposium is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, the cornerstone statute establishing the tribal self-determination era. The first quarter century of the self-determination era featured many great successes but mostly great frustrations often caused by federal reluctance to empower tribal nations. The second quarter century featured the rise of tribal political and economic power, but many of the same frustrations, this time more often caused by judicial decisions. As always, Indigenous leaders look to both the past and the future in consequential decisions for their nations. This symposium brings together many of today's most influential Indigenous leaders to assess the last fifty years and imagine what the next quarter century brings. Panelists include Indigenous elected officials, judges, and lawyers at the federal, state, and Tribal levels.

Washington Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, will deliver a keynote address on Saturday.

Panel 1, “The Past and Future of Indigenous Politics” Moderated by Caleb Hawpetoss
Friday, February 21 - Palmer Commons Forum Hall 1:30 – 3:00 PM,
This panel will discuss the past and future of Indigenous people in politics and their service in elected or appointed political offices in the US state or federal government.
Speakers:
 Bryan Newland is Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs and a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community.
Jeff Irwin is an elected member of the Michigan Senate and citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Panel 2, “Lawyering Tribal Self-Determination” Moderated by Ashley Hamilton
Friday, February 21 - Palmer Commons Forum Hall 3:15 – 4:45 PM,
This panel will address the underrepresentation of Indigenous people in law. Fifty years ago, few Indigenous people were lawyers, and almost no tribe was represented by Indigenous lawyers or law firms. Although there are many more Indigenous lawyers, they are still terribly underrepresented in the field. This panel of Indigenous lawyers will discuss their professional journeys and the profession's future
Speakers:
Wenona T. Singel is an Associate Professor of Law at Michigan State Law School and a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians 
Doreen Nanibaa McPaul is In-house counsel for Tohono O’Odham Nation, leader of the Tribal In-House Counsel Association, and citizen of the Navajo Nation.
Mitchell Forbes is a Staff Attorney at the Native American Rights Fund and a citizen of the Native Village of Shishmaref

Panel 3, “Indigenous Judging in Tribal and State Courts” Moderated by Andrew Druart
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Anderson ABCD 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Panel 3 will discuss the Indigenous presence on the court. In 1975, few Indigenous people served as judges in federal, state, and tribal courts. Now, many Indigenous judges serve tribal communities, but only a few serve federal and state court systems. This panel will address the past and future of Indigenous judging.
Speakers: 
Gregory H. Bigler is a Tribal judge, lawyer, and citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Allie Greenleaf Maldonado is a Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals and citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians

Keynote Address by Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, 
"Descendant Daughter"
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Pendleton Room 12:30 – 1:45 PM

Panel 4, “International Indigenous Leadership” Moderated by Manuel Lewis
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Pendleton Room 2:00 – 3:30 PM
This panel examines Indigenous participation in international spheres. Fifty years ago, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was barely a dream. It is a reality; however, the United States lags behind in its implementation. This panel will address the future of international law principles regarding Indigenous peoples in the U.S.
Speakers:
Kyle Powys Whyte is George Willis Pack Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability and University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan. He is an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. 
Kristen Carpenter is the Council Tree Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Law School
Mark Trahant, Former Editor-in-Chief, Indian Country Today

All moderators are members of the Native American Law Students Association at U-M.