May 2008
Indian Law Advisor
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Williams Kastner in the NewsHB 2624 Signed into Law - Williams Kastner's Tribal Practice Team was proud to represent the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in relation to the Washington State Legislature's development and passage of House Bill 2624. That bill, which was sponsored by Rep. John McCoy and signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on March 31st, requires anyone who discovers ancestral or other human remains to call 911 or face criminal punishment. In turn, affected Northwest tribal governments will be notified of any such discovery so they can take appropriate steps to protect and respect their peoples' ancestors. Gabe Galanda (Round Valley) and Sharon Haensly were pleased to work on the legislation and help coordinate the efforts of the Inter-Tribal Cultural Property Protection Task Force to ensure maximum protection for all Washingtonians' ancestors. Debora Juarez Appointed to TVW (Washington State Public Affairs TV Network) Board - In February, Debora Juarez (Blackfeet), Chair of the Tribal Practice Team, was appointed to TVW's prestigious Board of Directors. TVW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that covered the three branches of Washington State government as well as public policy events of statewide significance. Debora hopes TVW will increasingly cover Washington tribal governmental and policy happenings. Julio Carranza Receives Two Foster Care Appointments - Julio Carranza, a Tribal Practice Team litigation associate, was recently appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care. Julio Carranza was also named to the Board of Directors for Mockingbird Society Board of Directors, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to improve the lives of children and adolescents dependent upon the foster care/group home system. As a Latino foster care alumnus who "aged out" of the system, Julio hopes to assist both entities with advocacy for Indian and Latino foster youth throughout Washington. And as part of his tribal practice, he aspires to represent Indian families and children in various family law matters, as well as tribes in local ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) cases. Gabe Galanda's "Guiding Light" Honored - The Boston-based national legal journal, LawyersUSA, recently featured Gabe and honored his late grandfather in an article about Gabe's upbringing in Port Angeles, Washington and the inspiration he drew and continues to draw from his grandpa. The piece is titled, "Guiding Lights -- Indian and gaming law expert Gabriel S. Galanda: My grandfather, Peter Mortensen." Special EventTribal Practice Team Supports Bill Frank, Jr., Endowment -- We are proud to sponsor the Billy Frank, Jr., Natural Resources and Tribal Sovereignty Endowment created by the Northwest Indian College Foundation. The Tribal Practice Team will be a sponsor for the Endowment Fundraising Dinner at which Billy will be honored, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada on June 1, 2008. Debora Juarez is an advisor to the Foundation. The dinner is being held in conjunction with the Mid-Year Meeting of the National Congress of American Indians in Reno beginning June 1st. If you interested in sitting with us at the dinner, please email Debora Juarez at djuarez@williamskastner.comUpcoming SeminarsTribal Energy and the California Market Seminar - Cabazon, CA (June 23-24, 2008). Sharon Haensly will be speaking on the topic of "Laws Effecting Tribal Interests in Transmission Line Siting, Access and Service." For more information, please click here.4th Annual Emerging Northwest Tribal Economies CLE - Tulalip, WA (August 21-22, 2008). Gabe Galanda will again serve as co-chair of this conference presented by Northwest tribal leaders, lawyers and business and policy advisors. Debora Juarez will speak about trends in the inter-tribal commerce and trade, and Sharon Haensly will discuss tribal rights-of-way for utilities. The two-day program is designed to help Indian Country think beyond tribal governmental gaming, towards creating and sustaining long-term Indian economies that are less controversial and rooted in tribal values. For more details and registration information, please click here. NoticeThese materials have been prepared by Williams Kastner for information purposes only and are not intended to be used as legal advice.For further information, comments or suggestions regarding the
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