South Dakota Ag Connection - USD Hosts Indian Law Symposium

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USD Hosts Indian Law Symposium
South Dakota Ag Connection - 03/20/2018

The University of South Dakota's Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) chapter will host its 15th Biennial Indian Law Symposium on March 21-22 at the USD School of Law.

The event, titled "The Challenges of Culture, Governance, and Respect in Indian Country," begins March 21 at 7 p.m. with a traditional prayer by Gene Thin Elk, director of Native American Student Services, and an honor song by the Oyate Singers. Professor Frank Pommersheim will present opening remarks, with keynote speaker, Patrice Kunesh to follow.

The symposium continues at 9 a.m. on March 22. Panel discussion topics will include legal issues related to tribal governance, culture and activism. Panelists include South Dakota State Senator Troy Heinert, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Attorney Seth Pearman, Water Protector Legal Collective Executive Director Terry Janis, Rosebud Sioux Tribe Tribal Council Member of the Grass Mountain Community, Rita Means, Indian law attorney, Leonika R. Charging, Coordinator of the Native American Studies/Assistant Professor Elise Boxer, Ph.D., and Sherman Marshall, Chief Tribal Judge for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

The NALSA Indian Law Symposium, has been held biennially for three decades, making it the longest-running Indian law symposium in the nation. This year's symposium will be held in the courtroom of the USD School of Law and is free and open to the public.

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