Indian Country Law Conference
THE STATE OF OUR NATIONS
February 23-25, 2006
Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center
Miami, Florida Co-Sponsored by
The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
&
The Center for Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship
at the Syracuse University College of Law
The Indian Country Law Conference is an exceptional opportunity to advance your understanding of Indian law and policy, in addition to networking and obtaining CLE credits. Unlike other Indian Law conferences that focus entirely on congressional and court updates, the Indian Country Law Conference is dedicated to helping attorneys improve their lawyering skills and become better advocates for Indian Nations.
The Conference will address lawyering strategies on various subjects including: the aftermath of Sherrill, the Johnson Act Amendments, federal recognition, sales tax and sovereignty, protecting tribal land and water, voting in federal elections, the lobbying scandal, and economic development for Indian nations. CLE is available for the conference. 
Networking opportunities include a conference reception, luncheon, and dinner, as well as a golf tournament. At the conclusion of the conference attendees will be able to enjoy the numerous recreational events in the local area, such as visiting the Miccosukee Indian Village, alligator wrestling, and airboat rides.
(DRAFT AGENDA 1/30/2006)
Thursday, February 23
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p. m. Golf Tournament (Meet @ the front of the hotel at 9:30)
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration (2nd floor of the hotel)
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Reception
Friday, February 24
8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Welcoming Remarks and Program Overview
Hon. Billy Cypress, Chairman, Miccosukee Tribe of Florida
Robert Odawi Porter, Center Director and Senior Associate Dean, Syracuse University College of Law
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Presentation No. 1 –
Supreme Court Update - The Aftermath of Sherrill
Stacy Leeds (Cherokee), Associate Professor of Law, University of Kansas and Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Presentation No. 2 –
The Johnson Act Amendments and the Impact on Class II Gaming
Dexter Lehtinen, Esquire, Lehtinen, Vargas & Riedi, P.A., Miami, FL
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Presentation No. 3 –
Fighting the Recognition Battle
Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Mekusukey Band), Assistant Professor of Law, Syracuse University College of Law
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Address
Reflections on Indian Affairs in the United States
[TBA]
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Presentation No. 4 –
TBD
Steven McSloy, Co-Chair, Native American Practice
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. Break/Networking
2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Presentation No. 5 –
Protecting our Land and Water: An Environmental Update
Sonia O’Donnell, Esquire, Jorden Burt, LLP, Miami, FL
Dione Carroll, General Counsel, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
3:45 - 5:00 p.m. Roundtable Discussion (all panelists) –
Moderator: Robert Odawi Porter
6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Dinner (TBA )
9:00 - 11:00 p.m.Live Entertainment (TBA)
Saturday, February 25
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Presentation No. 6 –
Voting and Its Impact on our Nations
Robert Odawi Porter, Center Director and Senior Associate Dean, Syracuse University College of Law
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Presentation No. 7 –
The Lobbying Scandal and Its Aftermath
Richard Monette, (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), Assoc. Professor of Law, University of Wisconsin & former Chairman, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Presentation No. 8–
Indian Nations and Economic Development
Dale White (Mohawk), Esquire, General Counsel, Mohegan Tribe
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wrap-up
Afternoon activities: Tour of Miccosukee territory, Indian village and museum,
Airboat rides and Alligator wrestling
The State of Indian Nations