24th Annual Coming Together of Peoples Conference
The University of Wisconsin Law School and the Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) hosted the 24th Annual Coming Together of Peoples Conference, March 18-20, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Conference featured a keynote presentation by Tom Rodgers of Carlyle Consulting. Mr. Rodgers played an instrumental role in shining the light on one of the biggest scandals in Washington D.C., as he played a leading role in taking down the most notorious lobbyist on K Street, Jack Abramoff.
The LEO Committee and the ILSA combined the annual Spring LEO Reception (in honor of our entire LEO Community) with the Welcome Reception for the Coming Together of the Peoples Conference.
We were honored to have as our special guest of honor, Donald (Del) Laverdure, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. Del is a UW Law graduate and was also a Hastie Fellow. He opened the reception with a short talk in Room 3260 about his career and the issues related to Native Americans currently facing the Department of Interior. Following his talk, the reception was held in Lubar Commons, Room 7200.
Day One of the Conference featured a full-day of exciting panels addressing some of the main legal issues impacting Indian Country, such as: Tribal Economic Opportunities; Indian Child Welfare concerns; and Bringing Down the Jack Abramoff Scandal. At the conclusion of Day One, ILSA hosted a Banquet Dinner at the Edgewater Hotel.
March 20th wase the final day of the Conference with a variety to panels that addressed significant issues that have helped to shape current law in Indian Country. Panel topics included: Off-Reservation Gaming and the Obama Administration; Present Issues in Tribal Courts; Protecting Cultural Property under the IACA and NAGPRA; and Speech Freedom Under Tribal Law. Day Two concluded with a youth session on how youth can play a role in shaping the future of Indian Country.
All panels and speeches were held at Tripp Commons, Memorial Union: 800 Langdon St., Madison, WI.
Thank you to everyone for their continuing support in making the Annual Coming Together of Peoples Conference such a success.
