February 21-22, 2025

Locations:
Palmer Commons (100 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Feb 21
&
Michigan Union (530 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Feb 22,
University of Michigan central campus, Ann Arbor

Featured Events:

Day One: Friday, February 21 - Palmer Commons
Welcome Protocol
Forum Hall 1:00-1:30 PM

Panel 1 The Past and Future of Indigenous Politics, Moderated by Caleb Hawpetoss
with Bryan Newland and Jeff Irwin,
Forum Hall 1:30 – 3:00 PM


Panel 2: Lawyering Tribal Self-Determination, Moderated by Ashley Hamilton
with Wenona T. Singel, Doreen Nanibaa McPaul, and Mitchell Forbes,
Forum Hall 3:15 – 4:45 PM

Dinner for symposium participants.
Great Lakes Room 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Great Lakes Room 7:00 – 9:30 PM
An Evening with Mark Trahant,
The 2025 Robert J. Berkhofer Jr. lecture on Native American Studies
Followed by reception

Day Two: Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union

Guest Arrival,
Anderson ABCD 8:00 – 9:00 AM

Breakfast
Anderson ABCD 9:00 – 10:00 AM

Panel 3: Indigenous Judging in Tribal and State Courts, Moderated by Andrew Druart
with Gregory H. Bigler and Allie Greenleaf Maldonado,
Anderson ABCD 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Lunch
Anderson ABCD 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

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

Panel 4: International Indigenous Leadership, Moderated by Manuel Lewis
with Kyle Powys Whyte, Kristen Carpenter, and Mark Trahant
Pendleton Room 2:00 – 3:30 PM

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

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,”
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 are:
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,”
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 are:
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,”
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Anderson ABCD 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Panel 3 will discuss 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 are:
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:
"Descendant Daughter" by Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis.
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Pendleton Room 12:30 – 1:45 PM
Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis is a Justice of the Washington Supreme Court, a citizen of the Pueblo of Isleta, and a descendant of the Pueblo of Laguna.

Panel 4, “International Indigenous Leadership”
Saturday, February 22 - Michigan Union Pendleton Room 2:00 – 3:30 PM
with Kyle Powys Whyte and Kristen Carpenter,
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 are:
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 Council Tree Professor of Law at the University of Colorado Law School
Mark Trahant, Former Editor-in-Chief, Indian Country Today