# Event Details - **Event Name**: Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 18 Feb, 2026 at 08:00 am – Fri, 20 Feb, 2026 at 06:00 pm - **Event Description**: A 3-day workshop for Tribal government officials about the law and policy affecting federally-recognized Indian nations and tribes.About this EventThrough a series of 50-minute sessions over two and a half days, attendees will learn about –Origins of tribal sovereignty, inherent rights of self-determination, and the relevance of treatiesFederal Indian law fundamentals, including civil and criminal jurisdictionDefining Indian Country land status and #NDNLandBack effortsTaxation and tax status of tribal entities and tribal benefitsTribal business development, including business organization and tribal corporationsTribal constitutions and law reformLitigating breach of trust claims against the Federal governmentTribal environmental protection and regulationFederal government relations advocacy and lobbying to promote tribal interestsWorkshop presenters have a wide variety of experiences in tribal law, governance and business, as well as federal government advocacy, and will rely upon both traditional legal materials, current events, and analysis drawn from actual experience to illustrate relevant concepts. The format is interactive with opportunities to address questions, network with other participants and engage in discussions.The Seminar host is Robert Odawi Porter, a former President of the Seneca Nation of Indians, and a Visiting Professor at Cornell Law School. Joining this year as featured presenters are attorneys from Lippes Mathias LLP, led by Bryan Shade, a former staff solicitor at the Department of Interior and Carol Heckman, a former federal magistrate judge and experienced litigator on behalf of Tribal governments. Also presenting is Todd Bertoson of the Capitol Hill Policy Group, a former Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.Who Should AttendThe workshop is designed for elected and appointed officials of federally-recognized American Indian nations and tribes, particularly those who are newly elected or appointed to office.RegistrationThe cost to attend the Seminar is $1,500 per person. For registrations of three persons or more from a particular tribe, the cost is $1,250 per person. Registration is limited to 25 students.RoomingDiscounted lodging is available at the expense of attendees until January 18, 2026. A room block had been secured for the seminar at a rate of $279 per night. To make a reservation within the room block please contact:Group Booking Link :https://reservations.travelclick.com/75936?groupID=5004258In-person:Call the Wild Horse Pass reservation department at (520) 796-4900, and ask for the special group rate for "Indian Law & Policy for Tribal Officials".More InformationFor more information about the workshop, please contact Amy Titus at amy@capitolhillpolicygroup.com.For more information about Odawi Law PLLC, please see the Firm website at www.odawilawpllc.com and for more information about the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC, see www.capitolhillpolicygroup.com.Agenda (as of October 31, 2025)Wednesday, February 18, 20268:30-9:00am ET Registration, Light Breakfast, and Welcoming Remarks9:00-9:50am ET Session 1: Tribal Sovereignty and its Relationship with with American LawRobert Odawi Porter10-10:50am Session 2: Indian Law Fundamentals, including Scope of Tribal JurisdictionRobert Odawi Porter11-11:50am Session 3: Civil Jurisdiction in Indian CountryBryan Shade12:00-1:00pm Lunch (on your own)1:00-1:50pm Session 4: Federal and State Taxing Authority in Indian CountryRobert Odawi Porter2:00-250pm Session 5: Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian CountryCarol Heckman3:00-350p Session 6: Federal Government Legislative and Administrative StructureBryan Shade & Todd Bertoson4:00-450p Session 7: Session 6: Federal Government Relations, Lobbying, and Political Engagement, Part 1 (Process)Todd Bertoson5p Reception6p Dinner (on your own)Thursday, February 19, 20269:00-9:50am Session 8: Tribal Constitutions and Government ReformRobert Odawi Porter10:00-1050am Session 9: Elements of Federal Court LitigationCarol Heckman & Bryan Shade11:00-1150am Session 10: Breach of Trust Actions against the Federal GovernmentCarol Heckman & Bryan Shade12p Lunch (on your own)1:00-150p Session 11: Federal Government Relations, Lobbying, and Political EngagementTodd Bertoson & Robert Odawi Porter2:00-250p Session 12: Tribal Lands Issues, including Fee-to-Trust, Leasing, and Restricted Fee Lands LegislationRobert Odawi Porter & Bryan Shade3:00-350p Session 13: Tribal Environmental Protection and RegulationIan Shavitz4:00-450p Session 14: Executive Branch Policy OpportunitiesRobert Odawi Porter, Todd Bertoson, & Bryan Shade5p Dinner (on your own)Friday, February 20, 20269:00-950p Session 15: Current Issues in Tribal Economic and Tax Reform Policy ReformRobert Odawi Porter10:00-1050p Session 16: Federal Coverage of Tribal Operating Expenses under the Section 105(l) ProgramBryan Shade11:00-1150p Session 17: Congressional and Administrative Outlook for 2026Todd Bertoson & Robert Odawi Porter12p Closing RemarksAbout the FacultyRobert Odawi Porter, Esq. (Seneca) is the Seminar host and moderator. He is a nationally-recognized advocate for the protection and expansion of American Indian tribal government sovereignty and treaty rights. His unique background includes service as a former elected president of the Seneca Nation of Indians, tribal attorney general, and founding chairman of Seneca Holdings LLC. He has served as a tenured professor of Indian law at three national universities, which provides him with unparalleled experience platform to assist his tribal clients in seizing opportunities and resolving complex issues at the intersection of law, politics, business, and social policy.Rob has achieved many successes for his tribal clients, including leading the successful effort in Congress to end taxation of tribal general welfare benefits, expanding tribal gaming rights, and protecting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights from interference by outside governments and interests. He has been named by Best Lawyers in America to its list for Native American law since 2018.Rob is the President and Founder of Odawi Law PLLC (www.odawilawpllc.com) and the Co-Managing Principal of the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC (www.capitolhillpolicygroup.com), which he formed in 2018 with his colleague Todd Bertoson to create a new opportunity for federal government advocacy on behalf of American Indian nations and Native-owned companies.Todd Bertoson is the Co-Managing Principal of the Capitol Hill Policy Group LLC and a former Staff Director of the United States Senate Commerce Committee. His federal relations practice focuses on representing clients with interests in natural resources and fisheries, telecommunications, infrastructure development. His clients include several sovereign Indian nations and a regional Alaska Native Corporation. Todd has been involved in numerous successful efforts to protect client interests and secure federal assistance.Bryan Shade, Esq. (Keetoowah Cherokee) is an Associate in the Indian Law Practice Group of Lippes Matthias LLP.Carol Heckman, Esq. is a former Federal Magistrate Judge and Co-chair of the Indian Law Practice Group of Lippes Matthias LLP.Ian Shavitz, Esq. is an environmental law expert and partner at Lippes Mathias LLP. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/chandler/indigenous-law-and-policy-for-tribal-officials/10000784476760107 - **Event Categories**: workshops, business, nonprofit - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 1500, max: 1500, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Chandler - **state**: AZ - **country**: United States - **location**: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino - **lat**: 33.2817188 - **long**: -111.97372610000002 - **full address**: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/eca88f85b4f4f3ba84a584e5479f6b554b5111f3c7b9f52b7472b0d3a1491294-rimg-w1024-h657-dc7e88c1-gmir.jpg?v=1763027174 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials being held? - **A:** Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials takes place on Wed, 18 Feb, 2026 at 08:00 am to Fri, 20 Feb, 2026 at 06:00 pm at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, United States. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials? - **A:** Tickets for Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials are priced at USD 1,500 per person. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityGeneral AdmissionUSD 1,500Available - **Q**: Who is organizing Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials? - **A:** Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials is organized by Odawi Law PLLC and Capitol Hill Policy Group. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Indigenous Law and Policy for Tribal Officials is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Chandler, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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