Navajo Nation Law CLE Conference
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

Indian Legal Program / Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law / Arizona State University

Beus Center for Law and Society, Room 644
111 E. Taylor Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

  • Navajo Nation Bar Association has approved this conference for 8 NNBA credits, including 2 Navajo Ethics credits.
  • State Bar of New Mexico MCLE has approved this conference for 6 general credits and 2 Ethics credits.
  • State Bar of Arizona does not approve CLE activities however this activity may qualify for up to 8 credit hours, including 2 credit hours for Professional Responsibility.

A conversation with Shawn Attakai (’00) about his new book “Nihikéyah Navajo Homeland” (1 Hour – Navajo Ethics) Shawn Attakai (’00). Nihikéyah Navajo Homeland is a new anthology about 8 modern Dine perspectives of the Dine homeland.  Mr. Attakai will talk about his contribution focusing on the legal challenges to the people and land, with an emphasis on Diné Bi Beenahaz’áanii (1 N.N.C. §§ 201-206) and federal Indian law.  

SCOTUS Water Law: Navajo water case & Current Adjudication (2 Hours including .5 Navajo Ethics) Derrick Beetso (’10), Rhett Larson, Judy Dworkin, Paul Spruhan and Roman Bitsuie. Panel will go over history of reservation and land holdings, the recently decided supreme court case, the amicus brief, and current Little Colorado River Adjudication.

SCOTUS Lending Case: What does this mean for Navajo and other tribes (1 Hour) Professor Robert Miller, Joe Sarcinella (’09), Perry Riggs (’98) and Peter Larson (’02). This panel will discuss the recent bankruptcy case decided by the supreme court and share what this means for Navajo and other tribal communities.

SCOTUS Brackeen: What happened? How Tribes and States are responding (2 Hours including 0.5 Navajo Ethics) LaTonia Johnson (’05), Michael-Corey Hinton (’11), Shea Backus (’03), April Olson (’06) and Sheri Freemont (’01). The Panel will go over the recent Brackeen opinion and share how tribes and states are responding to the decision. The Navajo ethics piece will tie in fundamental law as it relates to protection of children.

Overview of Indian Gaming Developments (1 Hour) Steve Bodmer (’06), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04) and Jacob Schellinger (’12). The panel will go over recent developments in Indian gaming and implication on Navajo and other tribes.

Tribal Economic Development: Comparing the process of Navajo, GRIC & SRPMIC – (1 Hour) Ron Rosier (’95), Brian Lewis (’09), Mike Mainwold (’13) and Cassaudra Wallace (’15). The panel will share information about engaging in tribal economic development with different communities and discuss pros and cons of current system.

Download Agenda