United Tribes ) Michigan - Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

INDIAN NATIONS
Governmental Affairs
Effective tribal sovereignty and the full exercise of the tribal right of self-government requires (I) government
structures that encourage political stability, (2) enactment of comprehensive tribal laws to preempt assertions of
regulatory authority by state and municipal governments, and (3) tribal participation in federal and state political
processes. The first two elements of effective sovereignty relate to internal matters while the latter two relate to a
tribe's external relations. Godfrey & Kahn's Indian Nations Law Practice Group has experience assisting tribes in all
three, including representation relating to:
• Advice in connection with laws that provide separation of powers, establishment of independent tribal courts,
and limited procedures for orderly administrative review of tribal government actions that do undermine
elected leaders' ability to govern
• Confidential internal audits of government operations, under the direction of a Godfrey & Kahn attorney and
former federal prosecutor; such internal audits provide reliable information tribal leaders need, prevent
needless unfounded rumors in the community, and allow tribes to correct their own problems without
interference from outside law enforcement agencies that could damage the tribe's credibility
• Drafting of tribal laws that assert the full measure of tribal regulatory authority under federal Indian law and
assure that matters involving the a tribe and its members are heard in the tribe's court, including ordinances
relating to land use, environmental matters, sacred sites, commercial dealings with members, consumer laws,
etc., as well as laws that establish tribal law enforcement agencies, tribal realty offices and tribal land records
systems
• Advice in connection with state and federal legislative process, federal and state administrative agencies, and
federal and state campaign finance, ethics, election and lobbying laws. Godfrey & Kahn's Political Law
Practice Group can help tribe's navigate state and federal administrative and legislative process to promote
economic development, achieve political goals and protect sovereignty.
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