Overcoming Barriers Symposium

 

Overcoming Barriers Symposium: Resolving Conflict in Indian Country

March 7 at the OU College of Law

The University of Oklahoma American Indian Law Review, Student Bar Association, Native American Law Student Association, and Native American Studies program present the Overcoming Barriers Symposium with registration beginning at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, March 7, at the College of Law, 300 Timberdell Road in Norman.

This daylong symposium blends the richness of Native American culture with the profound legal landscapes facing America’s tribes. Some of the most renowned scholars and practitioners will exchange their wisdom on resolving intra-tribal conflict and defining jurisdictional boundaries. Symposium participants will also have the opportunity to take a Native American Art tour on display at the OU College of Law and experience musical entertainment by Native American musicians.

 

Registration

Please click the link below to register for the Symposium. This event is free to the public, so no registration fee is required.

Register Online

Program

7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Sign-In & Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony    
                           Presentation of Colors, Cheyenne and Arapaho Color Guard    
                           Prayer Song, Mr. Gordon Yellowman, Peace Chief of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes

                            Welcome and Acknowledgements    
                            Joseph Harroz, Jr., Dean, College of Law    
                            Dr. Joe Watkins, Director, Native American Studies

9:00 a.m.             Theme and Overview of Symposium    
                            Lindsay Robertson, Emcee and Professor, College of Law

9:15 a.m.             Keynote Address: “Tribal Peace Initiative and Traditional Justice”    
                            Barbara Anne Smith, Honorable Supreme Court Justice, Chickasaw Nation

10:00 a.m.           Morning Break

10:15 a.m.           Panel Discussion: “Tribal Conflict Resolution: Traditions and Policy Development”    
                            Facilitator: Barbara Anne Smith
                            Sarai Geary, Community Research and Development, Muscogee Creek Nation    
                            Dr. Cornell Pewewardy, Professor of Native Knowledge & Indian Studies, Portland State University    
                            Michael Colbert Smith, Honorable Judge, Sac and Fox Nation

11:30 a.m.           Debate and Resolution Demonstration    
                            Council of Fire Debate and Leadership Council    
                            Native American Studies

12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Lunch — Boren Atrium    
                             Native American Art Collection Tour by Heather Ahtone

2:00 p.m.             “Civil Jurisdiction and National Farmers Union Insurance Companies v. Crow Tribe of Indians”     
                            Edwin Kneedler, Deputy Solicitor General of the United States   
                            Leroy Sage Not Afraid, Justice of the Peace, Big Horn County, MT

3:00 p.m.             “Criminal Jurisdiction and the Violence Against Women Act”    
                            David Mullon, Staff Director and Chief Counsel, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs    
                            Tracy Toulou, Director of the Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice    
                            Sheila Dell Not Afraid, Associate Judge, Crow Nation Tribal Court

4:00 p.m.             Afternoon Break

4:15 p.m.             Keynote Address: “The Role of the Department of the Interior and Tribal Jurisdiction”    
                            Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior   

5:20 p.m.             Closing Remarks    
                            Paige Hoster, Editor-in-Chief, American Indian Law Review

5:30 p.m.             Cocktail Hour — Boren Atrium    
                            Entertainment by Native American DJ, Tracey Satepahoodle-Mikkanen

Contact

Paige Hoster
Editor-In-Chief, American Indian Law Review
paigehoster@ou.edu

Chris Thompson
Symposium Editor, American Indian Law Review
christhompson@ou.edu

Poster