MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
INDIGENOUS LAW AND POLICY CENTER Michigan State University sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of the Odawa, Bodewadmi, and Ojibwe Nations.
The Indigenous Law and Policy Center (ILPC) at MSU Law is one of a handful of Indigenous law certificate programs in the United States. Our dual mission is to increase the number of Native lawyers and train lawyers in Indigenous law. ILPC alumni work in Indian Country across Turtle Island in practice settings that range from small and large tribes, major law firms, nonprofits, and the federal government.
LEARN FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING EXPERTS. Congratulations on beginning your journey to become an
Aanii!
attorney. Indian Country needs people like you to navigate the American justice system and protect Indigenous rights. At MSU Law, we’re training the next generation of water protectors, ICWA defenders, tribal judges, and more. I encourage you to apply to MSU Law – we are one of only a few law schools to offer a certificate in Indigenous Law and Policy. The ILPC faculty is at the forefront of Indian law issues, connecting students with leading lawyers, scholars, and policymakers. As a student here, you’ll work directly with Professors Wenona Singel, Kathryn Fort, and myself to bring justice to Indigenous communities. The ILPC is an open, collaborative community that supports each student’s individual needs while empowering collective goals. Miigwetch.
Professor Matthew Fletcher
Associate Professor Wenona T. Singel
Matthew L.M. Fletcher MSU Foundation Professor Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center
Leaders in Indigenous Law The ILPC faculty and staff have created a nationally known pocket of excellence: they are authors of the American Law Institute’s first-ever Restatement of American Indian Law, prominent defenders of the Indian Child Welfare Act, editors of the leading blog for legal issues in Indian Country, co-hosts of annual conferences with the Tribal In-House Counsel Association, and providers of expertise and media commentary on critical issues of Native rights and tribal sovereignty. The work of Professor Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Professor Wenona T. Singel, Professor Kathryn E. Fort, Staff Attorney Neoshia Roemer, and Program Coordinator Monica Williamson was recognized by the Society of American Law Teachers with the prestigious 2020 M. Shanara Gilbert Human Rights Award for their pursuit of human rights reform.
GROW YOUR COMMUNITY. Practice With Your Peers in the Indian Law Clinic
“ Our clinic attracts Indigenous
The Indian Law Clinic has two main goals: the Tribal Self-Governance Project, and the ICWA Appellate Project. Clinic students work on behalf of tribal nation clients across the country to assist them with cases, provide them with research, and develop materials for tribal courts.
“I wanted to go to MSU Law because of the
students and allows students to see the work we’re doing in real time and within tribal communities. It’s not just that we say we’re committed to something, we’re actually doing it – it’s a show of commitment.”
Neoshia Roemer ILPC Staff Attorney
Indigenous Law and Policy Center. That was at my core; because I wanted to help change the laws that affect my tribe, and make them better. It’s a sacrifice to be away from home, but it’s worth it to learn all I can and then go home and help my tribe.” Lydia Locklear (Lumbee), ’17 Tribal Justice Clerk, Catawba Indian Nation Pembroke, NC
TURTLE TALK: is the nation’s leading blog on Indigenous law. We provide access to primary documents in Indian law and policy, including
Maurisa Bell, ’19
court opinions and pleadings, federal documents, and scholarly materials.
AS A STUDENT AT MSU LAW, YOU CAN: Network with other Native students
Directly impact Indigenous families
Engage one-on-one with world-famous faculty
Earn a certificate in Indigenous Law and Policy
Attend leading Indigenous law events
Work with dedicated student support staff
Our recent graduates are serving:
Upper Skagit Indian Tribe
US Department of Veteran Affairs
Fort Peck Reservation
Ho-Chunk Nation
House of Representatives, House Fiscal Agency
Oneida Indian Nation
Indian Legal Services
Purdue University, Office of Institutional Equity
US District Court
The Whitener Group Puyallup Tribe
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Bay Mills Indian Community Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
Redding Rancheria Tribe
Butzel Long Plunkett Cooney
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Incentive Technology Group
Northern Arapaho Tribe
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton, PC
Navajo Preparatory School New Mexico Environmental Law Center
Island Mountain Development Group
North Carolina Office of Tribal Justice
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Department of Justice, Indian Country Fellow Dentons The NoVo Foundation National Indian Gaming Commission
WINNING ADVOCATES “ When we got there and they announced who the final panel was, we were like, ‘can you imagine arguing in front of these total rock stars of Indian Law?’” – Kaitlin Gant, ’20
Sixty-six teams from across the country gathered at UC Berkeley Law for the 28th Annual National Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) Moot Court Competition during the weekend of February 21, 2020. Two teams from MSU Law’s NALSA chapter were among the group: Kacey Chopito, ’21, with Kaitlin Gant, ’20, and Austin Moore, ’20, with Kathryn Peterson, ’20. After the first day of competition, the MSU Law teams waited for the results, hoping to make it to the next round, further than any team in the law school’s history had ever advanced at the National NALSA Moot Court Competition. 50 teams would be cut after the first day, leaving the top 16 to continue. “Our goal was to make it passed the first elimination round,” Gant said. “We were like, ‘okay, we’ll be proud of ourselves if we make it this far.’” When Chopito and Gant reached the top 16, they celebrated, knowing that they had already made history for MSU Law at this competition – but they weren’t done yet. “We kept hearing our team number come up and we thought, ‘wow, we’re doing this,’” Chopito said. By the third and final day of the competition, the team had advanced beyond the elite eight to the final four before solidifying their spot in the championship round against competitors from Columbia Law School. Chopito and Gant closed their impressive competition run with a second-place win in oral arguments and the award for Second Place Best Overall Advocates.
Kacey Chopito, ’21
Kaitlin Gant, ’20