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Fundamentally and elementally, Indian tribes are sovereign governments. As such, relations with other non-tribal governmental entities is essential. Yet, at times, such relations can be difficult, especially when other governments fail to respect tribal sovereignty or recognize the tribe's full status as a government. As with all of our representation, Smith & Jolly consistently emphasizes the tribe's status as a governmental entity and demands recognition and respect of that status from other governments. Our attorneys have broad and extensive experience in working with local governments, state governments, and the federal government:

• Reviewing proposed federal and state legislation and regulations, such as NIGC and BIA regulations, and providing comments for submission by tribes
• Drafting and negotiating Memoranda of Understanding between tribes and state, federal, and local governments and their agencies
• Drafting and negotiating mutual aid law enforcement agreements, hunting and fishing agreements, and other agreements with state and local governments
• Negotiating and drafting gaming compacts and amendments and addenda to gaming compacts
• Negotiating and drafting protocols with state and local governments governing the handling of specific matters involving the tribe and its members
• Responding to subpoenas and other requests for information from state and federal government agencies in a manner which maintains respect for tribes as governments, assures government-to-government relations, and protects tribal sovereignty
• Dealing with issues of recognition of tribal acts, orders, and judgments by state and local authorities

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INDIAN LAW UPDATES

Supreme Court Rejects Review of Cobell Issues

Without comment, the United States Supreme Court refused to hear the Cobell plaintiffs' appeal of the removal of Judge Royce Lamberth from the case at the request of the Bush administration. In... more »

NIGC Publishes Rule-Making Agenda

The National Indian Gaming Commission ("NIGC") has updated its proposed rule-making agenda. In its semi-annual regulatory agenda, the NIGC has listed seven rules in the proposed stage, three in the final... more »

Trust Litigation Settlement Still Before Congress

Congress is still attempting to pass settlement legislation for the Cobell litigation. However, Senator McCain has criticized the Bush administration's apparent delay tactics in resolving the matter. Interior's... more »

Amber Alert for Tribes

The Department of Justice is talking to tribal leaders about the possibility of bringing the Amber Alert system to Indian country. The Department of Justice is encouraging tribes to develop plans, similar... more »