by Mark Vezzola | Dec 16, 2021 | Be the Change, For Tribes or Tribal Orgs, Land Back, Protect Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Justice
By Mark Vezzola, CILS Escondido Office Directing Attorney As 2021 draws to a close, it is time to look back at the last twelve months. If you work in federal Indian law or care about Indian country, there are a number of developments to reflect on. Some changed the...
by webadmin | Dec 3, 2021 | For Tribes or Tribal Orgs, Protect Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Justice, Uncategorized
By Debra Avenmarg, CILS Eureka Office Staff Attorney Over the years, CILS has played an important role in defending Tribal Court jurisdiction and sovereignty. One particular case that illustrates the importance of protecting Tribal Court orders from intrusion by state...
by webadmin | Nov 22, 2021 | Be the Change, For Tribes or Tribal Orgs, Protect Tribal Sovereignty
By Denise Bareilles, CILS Eureka Office Directing Attorney I have had the pleasure of working closely with several Tribes in administering tribal elections. It is an interesting area of tribal law that constantly presents new issues for tribal self-governance....
by webadmin | Sep 23, 2021 | For Tribes or Tribal Orgs, Land Back, Protect Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Justice, Uncategorized
By Kia Murdoch, CILS Sacramento Office Staff Attorney CILS has been tracking bills in the California legislature that are relevant to our community. In July 2021, two bills passed that are exciting steps forwards for California tribes: AB 627 Tribal Courts in...
by webadmin | Aug 2, 2021 | For Tribes or Tribal Orgs, Land Back, Protect Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Justice
By Mark Vezzola, CILS Directing Attorney Escondido Office Before 1934, most Indian tribes did not have written laws and certainly not constitutions. There are exceptions, however. The Cherokee Nation adopted its first constitution in 1827, establishing a three-branch...
by webadmin | Jun 3, 2021 | Protect Tribal Sovereignty, Tribal Justice
By Dorothy Alther, CILS Executive Director On June 1, 2021, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, issued its ruling in U.S. v. Cooley finding that tribes have inherent authority to stop non-Indians on a right-of-way within the boundaries of an Indian reservation...