UW-Madison: Association will host 25th annual Coming Together of Peoples Conference

CONTACT: Samuel Crowfoot, scrowfoot@wisc.edu, 801-602-2460

MADISON – On March 25 and 26, the Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) will host its 25th annual Coming Together of Peoples Conference at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

As an important member of the Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEO), ILSA provides an organization and forum for UW law students while contributing to the advancement of indigenous peoples. ILSA facilitates communication between law students, the UW law faculty and staff, and greater community on matters that relate to the interests of native students. In fulfillment of its mission, ILSA continues to host the longest student-run conference on Indian law to advance the development of scholarship in Indian law and explore its effects on native people.

On Thursday, March 24, the conference begins with a welcome reception at Brocach Irish Pub. During the following two days, the Law School will play host to several different panels of scholars who will explore the latest trends in Indian law and their impact on the indigenous community.

The March 25 sessions, held from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Room 2260 of the Law School, will discuss the implications of modern debt and finance on Indian tribes, the increasing effects of labor law on Indian tribes and the challenges of taxation in Indian Country. Additionally, Larry Roberts, general counsel of the National Indian Gaming Commission, will deliver a keynote address at 1:45 p.m. At 5 p.m., ILSA will host a reception with Edmund Manydeeds, UW System regent.

Topics on March 26 include the complex jurisdictional issues involved in administering a criminal code in Indian country, recent Supreme Court trends in Indian law, and past, present and future innovations in tribal property law. These panels will be held from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in Room 2211 of the Law School.

Samuel Crowfoot, vice president of ILSA, is proud that UW has hosted this conference for the past 25 years. “Our 25th conference serves as a testament to our achievement as Indian law students carrying on a tradition of creating a dialogue about issues that affect Native peoples and their communities,” he says.

Indian law has an immense amount of respect in the legal community, and he looks forward to exploring topics at this year’s conference. The Coming Together of Peoples Conference is free and open to the public. More information can be found at http://law.wisc.edu and http://uwilsa.com.