Indian Law 101: Understanding the Legal Foundations of Tribal Sovereignty

Join us for a virtual workshop on the foundational principles and history of Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law in the United States. This session will explore the legal relationship between tribal nations, the federal government, and the states, offering essential context for funders working with or within tribal communities. Led by Shawn Watts, Executive Director of the Tribal Stewardship and Sovereignty Network for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, this workshop will provide an essential introduction for those new to the field, as well as a valuable refresher for professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding. Speaker: Shawn Watts, Executive Director of the Tribal Stewardship and Sovereignty Network for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative A citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and Justice of the Supreme Court of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Shawn has dedicated his entire legal career to Indian law, mediation, and negotiation. He is the Executive Director of the Tribal Stewardship and Sovereignty Network for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative. He also serves as Director of the Tribal Law & Government Center, Tribal Judicial Support Clinic, and Mediation Clinic at the University of Kansas School of Law. He teaches Mediation and Negotiation for Law Practice at Columbia Law School where he previously served as the Associate Director of the Mediation Program. Shawn taught a Native American Peacemaking Clinic at both Columbia Law School and Yale Law School before becoming the Director of Strategic Initiatives and U.S. Strategy at The Christensen Fund.

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