Washington Tribal Leaders and Lawyers Commemorate the Inclusion of Indian Law on State Bar Exam
On April 7, several hundred members and friends of the Association of Washington Tribes, Northwest Indian Bar Association (NIBA), and WSBA Indian Law Section gathered at the Seattle University School of Law to commemorate the WSBA Board of Governors’ unanimous decision to test new lawyers’ understanding of federal Indian jurisdiction on the bar exam. The celebration was co-sponsored by the King County Bar Association and its Foundation, among others.
Swinomish Tribal Chairman Brian Cladoosby, who also chairs the Association of Washington Tribes, said “Congratulations to Washington’s tribal lawyers, the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors, elected state officials, and all who supported this important effort.”
The April 7 celebration featured a keynote speech by Northwest Indian Fish Commission Chairman Billy Frank, Jr., and a prayer from Puyallup tribal member Allison Gottfriedson, both of whom helped lead Washington’s “fish wars” in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in the landmark Boldt decision. Chairman Cla-doosby, Yakima Nation Vice Chairman Davis Washines, Quinault Nation Vice-Chairman Guy Capoeman, and new Seattle University Law School Dean Kellye Testy, all spoke of the importance of an increased understanding of federal Indian law in Washington.
Tribal leaders, lawyers and community members were joined by the state and federal dignitaries like Attorney General Rob McKenna, Washington State Bar Association President Ron Ward and President-Elect Brooke Taylor, King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng, former Washington State Insurance Commis-sioner Deborah Senn, and U.S. Attorney John McKay.
Debora Juarez, Tate London, Shirley Leckman, Ric Kilmer and Judge Mary Pearson, NIBA’s founding members who were in attendance, were honored in song by the Quinault Nation’s Mayee Canoe Club. Gabe Galanda was also honored for tirelessly leading the charge to include Indian law on the Washington bar exam.
Each honoree received also received a one-of-a-kind, original coastal art drawing from Lower Elwha Klallam artist Al Charles, Jr., who was on hand to explain to them and the audience the story and tradition behind each piece. Traditional dancing and drumming from the Wild Rose Drummers capped the evening.
In October 2004, after a two and a half year campaign by NIBA and the Indian Law Section, the WSBA Board of Governors followed precedent set in New Mexico, which became the first state to test Indian law in 2002. The policy adopted by Washington’s bar governors--including Fawn Sharp of the Quinault Nation--was supported by the Association of Washington Tribes, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians; the King, Spokane and Whatcom County Bar Associations; and, state bar leaders such as Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire, McKenna, Maleng, and U.S. Attorneys McKay and Jim McDevitt. According to Indian Country Today, the Idaho, Oregon, Oklahoma and Arizona bar associations are vetting similar bar exam policy and might soon follow suit.
