Program

Group Breakfast

WELCOMING REMARKS:

MORNING SESSION:

Challenges and the Fulfillment of
Treaty and Trust Obligations

Once again, Indian Country is at a crossroads. Do tribes remain silent, or do they organize, mobilize, and develop focused responses to the radical proposed changes to federal policies that affect tribes? This opening session will set the stage for an open dialogue about challenges facing Indian tribes and about tribal priorities.

OPENING REMARKS

“Navigating the Executive Branch and the Congress on Tribal Matters: The Lessons Learned” —Kevin K. Washburn, Professor, UC Berkeley Law, University of California; Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, U.S. Dept. of the Interior

PANELISTS

• “Unity and Collaboration: The Mission of the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty” —Hon. Mark A. Macarro, Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians & President, National Council of American Indians
• “A Perspective on the Assertion of Tribal Governmental Powers and the Fulfillment of Trust Obligations and Responsibilities: The Experience of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe” —Hon. Chief James Allan, Chairman, Coeur d’Alene Tribe
• “The State of the Indian Law & Policy Foundations in Uncertain Times” —John E. Echohawk, Executive Director, Native American Rights Fund
• “How will the Promises and Threats of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Indian Tribes?” —Geoffrey Blackwell

OPEN DIALOGUE

Co-Facilitators:
Richard Trudell, Founder & Director, American Indian Resources Institute (AIRI)
A. Brian Wallace

LUNCH BREAK

AFTERNOON SESSION:

Tribal Homelands in a Changing Environment

Will tribal homelands be there for future generations? Given the uncertainty of the current political environment, this question is more important today than ever. In this session, issues and challenges related to tribal homelands—including tribal reserved water rights, protection of natural resources, climate change impacts, environmental quality, protection of sacred sites and monuments, and the value of traditional ecological knowledge—will be discussed.

OPENING REMARKS

“A Perspective on the Future of Tribal Homelands, Sacred Sites, and Natural Resources” —Jim Enote, CEO, Colorado Plateau Foundation & Zuni Tribal Member and Traditional Farmer

PANELISTS

• “Exercising Tribal Reserved Water Rights and Managing Tribal Water Resources: The Experience of the Jicarilla Apache Nation” —T. Daryl Vigil, Co-Facilitator, Water & Tribes Initiative; Former Water Administrator for the Jicarilla Apache Nation
• “Assessing and Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change and Global Warming on Tribal Homelands” —Speaker
• “Developing the Governing Infrastructure for Managing and Protecting Tribal Homelands and Natural Resources: The Flathead Reservation Experience” —Speaker, Title, Department

OPEN DIALOGUE

Co-Facilitators:
A. Brian Wallace & Richard Trudell

ADJOURN FOR THE DAY

Group Breakfast

MORNING SESSION:

Tribal Sovereignty, Self-governance, and
the Federal Trust Relationship

An important question for tribes is, “What will be the future of the federal-tribal trust relationship?” Although Congress has broad power and authority over Indian affairs under the Indian Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution, most aspects of the trust relationship have been delegated to the Executive Branch. History, however, tells us that there have been efforts by various administrations, the Congress, and the courts to not fulfill the obligations, duties, and responsibilities of the trust relationship. Tribes need to have conversations about the future of the federal trust relationship, including what they want it to be.

In this concluding session of the Tribal Executive Leadership Forum, a panel of subject-matter experts will share their perspectives on the future of the federal trust relationship—and what tribes may want it to be— and on some of the internal challenges facing tribal governments.

OPENING REMARKS

“Tribes and the Federal Trust Relationship: A Perspective on Its Past, Present, and Future” —Eric D. Eberhard, Professor from Practice & Associate Director, Native American Law Center, University of Washington School of Law

PANELISTS

• “Tribes and the Trust Relationship: The Experience of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation” —Hon. Mel Tonasket, Omack District Representative, Colville Business Council, Colville Reservation
• “Is Trust Reform Occurring without Tribal Input?” —Bryan Newland, Principal, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC; Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
• “Could the Past and Present be Prologue for the Future of the Trust Relationship?” —Monte Mills, Charles I. Stone Professor of Law & Director, Native American Law Center, University of Washington School Law
• “Thoughts about Some of the Internal Challenges facing Tribal Governments in the Currently Prevailing—and unpredictable—Federal and Legal Environment” —Stephen E. Cornell, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Native Nations Institute (NNI); Retired Professor from the University of Arizona but Serves on a Part-time Basis as the Faculty Chair of the University’s NNI

OPEN DIALOGUE

Co-Facilitators:
Richard Trudell & A. Brian Wallace

OPEN DISCUSSION

Ideas for moving beyond just identifying issues and challenges to outlining a tribally-shaped blueprint for the future, as well as to discuss the importance and value of intertribal collaboration.

CLOSING REMARKS & END OF FORUM