April 15-17, 2005

 

The Purpose of the Conference 

 

Issues relating to Indigenous peoples in the United States have gained increasing attention by the general public in recent years.  Foremost, the attention has focused on the proliferation of Indian gaming throughout the country, but issues relating to land claims, taxation, and jurisdictional conflicts have also been the subject of interest.  What these and related issues have in common is a focus on Indian nation sovereignty and its implications.  Invariably, to make the most sense of these issues, interested parties must have a basic understanding of the law and history associated with the relationship between the United States and the nearly 600 Indigenous sovereigns located within it.

 

Both print and broadcast journalists serve an instrumental role in conveying information to the general public about the contemporary state of Indigenous peoples.  Organizations such as the Native American Journalists Association have served as both a trade association and an outlet for efforts to educate the general public.  Nonetheless, media professionals covering Indian affairs are inadequately prepared on the substance to best address the issues they must report on.  What is needed is an opportunity for print and broadcast journalists to digest the fundamental legal issues relating to Indigenous peoples and tribal sovereignty.  The proposed conference is designed to accomplish that result.