Native American Law Blog

Another job announcement.....this one in the Navajo Nation

Navajo Nation Attorney General—Department of Justice Employment Advertisement

The Navajo Nation Attorney General seeks an Attorney-Candidate, Tribal Court Advocate, or Attorney to join the Navajo Nation Department of Justice’s Economic and Community Development Unit. The individual who is selected for this position will primarily handle the Division of Community Development’s matters. Although an Attorney-Candidate or Tribal Court Advocate is preferred; Attorney-Candidate, Tribal Court Advocate, and Attorney applications will be considered.

As the Navajo Nation’s Chief Legal Officer, the Attorney General has charge of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, which advises and represents the Navajo Nation government in all legal matters. The Economic and Community Development Unit provides legal services to the Navajo Nation’s several political subdivisions; including the Division of Community Development, which is tasked with promoting and facilitating the Navajo Nation’s physical and legal infrastructural development. In consultation with the Division of Community Development, the Economic and Community Development Unit will interview and select an individual for this position. The Attorney General is charged with the final approval of the individual selected for this position.

The Attorney-Candidate, Tribal Court Advocate, or Attorney who is selected and approved will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Attorney General for the Economic and Community Development Unit. The selected and approved individual will perform legal research, and through a licensed Department of Justice Attorney, will provide guidance and assistance to the Division of Community Development. Moreover, the selected and approved individual’s work will primarily concern the Navajo Nation’s Chapter governments’ matters. Although not strict a requirement, the individual selected and approved for this position is preferred to possess at least a minimal understanding of Navajo language.

The selected and approved Attorney-Candidate will be required to:

• Possess a Juris Doctor degree;
• Become a member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association within one year of hire;
•  Become licensed to practice in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah within one year of hire;
• Possess basic knowledge and competency of Federal Indian Law and Navajo Nation Law that impacts the Division of Community Development;
• Possess a basic understanding of Navajo culture and customs;
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Possess working knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct; and
• Possess experience interfacing with government officials.

The selected and approved Tribal Court Advocate will be required to:

• Be a member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association;
• Possess basic knowledge and competency of Federal Indian Law and Navajo Nation Law that impacts the Division of Community Development;
• Possess a basic understanding of Navajo culture and customs;
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Possess working knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct; and
• Possess experience interfacing with government officials.

The selected and approved Attorney will be required to:

• Possess a Juris Doctor degree;
• Be licensed to practice in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah;
• Become a member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association within one year of hire;
• Possess basic knowledge and competency of Federal Indian Law and Navajo Nation Law that impacts the Division of Community Development;
• Possess a basic understanding of Navajo culture and customs;
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Possess working knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct; and
• Possess experience interfacing with government officials.

Salary will be based upon experience and the Navajo Nation Department of Justice’s Personnel and Compensation Plan. The Navajo Nation Department of Justice also offers a competitive Benefits package. To apply, send electronic copies of your letter of interest (no more than two pages), resume (no more than two pages), transcripts (official or unofficial), and one writing sample (no more than three pages) to: blewis@nndoj.org before 5:00 p.m. MST on January 6, 2012. You may call the Economic and Community Development Unit at: (928) 871-6933 with questions.

 

Looks like it's over for the only Indian nomination to the federal courts.....

newsok.com reports today that "Senators block Oklahoma City federal prosecutor from judge post."  This has been an ongoing story that looks like it's coming to an end.  "Faced with unrelenting — and mostly unexplained — opposition from Oklahoma's senators, the U.S. Senate on Saturday sent back to the White House the nomination of Arvo Mikkanen to be a federal judge in Tulsa."

Why?  Your guess is as good as ours......

You can read the full story HERE, and a shout-out of thanks to one of our friends in the US Attorney's Offices around the country for sending this along to us.

 

twp

Forbes magazine - Why Are Indian Reservations So Poor?

OK.....are they REALLY arguing for a return of ALLOTMENT?  You decide......

HERE is the article.

 

twp

"Court rulings could give prosecutors more power to go after abusers on Indian reservations" - Washington Post

From the article:  "Despite a well-known epidemic of domestic violence on American Indian reservations, federal authorities have long been stymied in their pursuit of abusive parents and spouses. That may change if recent rulings in Cavanaugh’s case and a similar matter are upheld, allowing U.S attorneys to act instead of watching abuse convictions pile up at the tribal level."

See the full story HERE.

 

twp

Cohen follows up eagle feathers article with "The Obama Administration and the American Indian."

Following up on the op-ed previously mentioned here regarding American Indians and the procurement of eagle feathers, Andrew Cohen of CBS News and theatlantic.com has followed up with a broader piece on Indian policy under the Obama Administration.  You can find it HERE.

His conclusion?  "The White House's policy towards American Indians is better than in past administrations, but still not consistently good enough."

 

twp

Professor Walter Echo-hawk launches Worcester Sovereignty Project...addresses Osage Nation Congress

"A proposed University of Tulsa College of Law project is aiming to expand its Indian law program.

The Worcester Sovereignty Project, a program that seeks to provide opportunities for Native Americans to learn Indian law, was being proposed to the Second Osage Nation Congress Nov. 15 during its 11^th Special Session.

“This is probably the most single important development in the field of Indian law education for our part of the country,” said Walter Echo-Hawk.

Echo-Hawk (Pawnee), a seasoned attorney who previously worked with the Native American Rights Fund and now works for Crowe and Dunlevy law firm in Tulsa, said this project comes at a crucial time when tribes are dealing with more tribal sovereignty issues and dealing with more U.S. Supreme Court rulings against cases focused on Native American issues."

See the full story HERE.

...More Than Eagle Feathers

Andrew Cohen has an interesting and provocative article entitled, "If Obama Is Serious About American Indians, He'll Offer More Than Eagle Feathers" in today's theatlantic.com.  It's a little more interesting because your humble blog editor was quoted.....but even other than that, it's an excellent critique on the Indian policy of the current administration.  

The author's conclusion - "It's a nice gesture to reassure tribes about their religious use of eagle feathers --  but if that's the best the Administration can do for American Indians, it's not enough"

You can find the whole story HERE.