by webadmin | Jan 27, 2022 | Initiatives, Land Back, Uncategorized
By Mike Godbe, CILS Bishop Office Directing Attorney This is the third in a three-part series providing an overview of Indian Water Rights in California. This installment focuses on California’s Integrated Regional Water Management grant-funding system. Part 1 on...
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 | 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 17, 2021 | Initiatives, Land Back, Uncategorized
By Mike Godbe, CILS Bishop office Staff Attorney This is the second in a three-part series providing an overview of Indian Water Rights in California. This installment focuses on federal reserved rights, also known as Winters rights. Part 1 on state water rights may...
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 | Jul 7, 2021 | Initiatives, Land Back
By Mike Godbe, CILS Bishop office Staff Attorney California faces record-low snowpack, with 94.7% of the state currently in Severe Drought and 85.4% in Extreme Drought.[1] It is critical for California Indian allotment owners and tribes to take stock of their water...