Thank you for visiting the OIBANET. We peridically update this website. If you have any interesting links, news, job announcements or other comments on the site, please let us know by e-mailing us at
oklahomaindianbarassociation@
yahoo.com.
OIBA OFFICERS:
Arvo Q. Mikkanen, OIBA President(Kiowa/Comanche)
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Office of the U.S. Attorney -
Western District of Oklahoma
210 Park Ave., Suite 400
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405/553-8737; 405/553-8888 fax
J. Lisa Impson OIBA
Vice President
(Chickasaw)
Office of the Gaming Commissioner
The Chickasaw Nation
PMB 228, 902 Arlington Center
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
580.310.0570
580.310.0571 fax
Joe Williams, OIBA
Secretary
(Choctaw)
Pitchlynn & Williams
717 S. Cheyenne Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119
918/582-9292
405/447-4219 fax
Josie Stanley, OIBA
Treasurer
(Cherokee)
Oklahoma Indian Legal Services
Oklahoma City, OK
405/943-6457
Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission
Oklahoma Indian Nations & Websites
Oklahoma Indian
Housing Authorities
Oklahoma Bar Association
Federal Court
Websites
Federal Law Clerk
Information System
U.S. District Court
Western Dist. Okla.
U.S. District Court
Northern Dist. Okla.
Promoting the Understanding of Federal Indian Law in Oklahoma
California Indian
Law Association
Minnesota Indian
Bar Association
Cohen's Handbook of Federal Indian Law
Welcome to the Website of the Oklahoma Indian Bar Association
The Oklahoma Indian Bar Association is a group of Native American and non-Indian attorneys, judges, law students, and tribal court clerks interested in the advancement of the understanding of federal Indian law in Oklahoma.
IN THE NEWS...
ARVO MIKKANEN RECEIVES EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FORMER U.S. ATTORNEYS
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Arvo Q. Mikkanen, current president of the
Oklahoma Indian Bar Association (“OIBA”), has received the 2011 “ExceptionalService Award” from the National Association of Former United States Attorneys (“NAFUSA”). The NAFUSA, founded in 1979, “was established to promote, defend, and further the integrity and the litigating authority and independence of the Office of the United States Attorney as one of the principal instrumentalities through which the President of the United States carries out his constitutional obligation that the laws be faithfully executed.” Mikkanen has been an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Oklahoma for over 17 years and actively prosecutes criminal cases
in its violent crime division. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Law School. Mikkanen formerly was in private law practice, taught as an adjunct law professor, and served as a tribal court judge.
“As former United States Attorneys, we can recognize a great Assistant United States Attorney” said NAFUSA President William L. Lutz, Past President Edward L. Dowd, Jr., and Executive Director Ronald G. Woods, in their award letter. Mikkanen, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James F. Robinson, were both recognized for the successful prosecution of a long-term public corruption investigation involving theft and embezzlement from a tribal government that resulted in the conviction of 14 individuals. The NAFUSA Officers stated, “Messers Robinson and Mikkanen are truly outstanding Assistant United States Attorneys in every way.” “This award is given in recognition of the exemplary service provided ... to the United States Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice and to the citizens of the United States of America.”
The NAFUSA is composed of former United States Attorneys and Department
of Justice officials who served pursuant to a Presidential commission, court
appointment, or by designation of the Attorney General of the United States.
KIRKE KICKINGBIRD TO BE INDUCTED INTO TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY’S CIRCLE OF HONOR
Tulsa City-County Library’s American Indian Resource Center will induct Kirke Kickingbird into the Circle of Honor during a special presentation March 3, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue.
Kickingbird’s award presentation kicks off the monthlong American Indian Festival of Words celebration honoring the achievements and accomplishments of Native Americans. Programs will be held throughout TCCL locations during March. All library events are free and open to the public.
Kickingbird is a member of the Kiowa Tribe and Kiowa Gourd Clan. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1966 and continued at OU, earning his juris doctorate in 1969. In 1971 he became the executive director of the Washington-based Institute for the Development of Indian Law, a position he held until 1983. As director, he wrote a series of books on Indian law including sovereignty, treaties, jurisdiction, trust and the U.S. government.
His first book, “One Hundred Million Acres,” was published in 1973 and nominated by his publisher to the Pulitzer Committee. In 1987, he wrote “Indians and the U.S. Constitution: A Forgotten Legacy,” which was honored by the U.S. Bicentennial Commission. His latest book is “Youth for Tribal Government,” which is an introduction to tribal government in the 21st century.
Devoting his professional career to helping American Indians, Kickingbird has directed the Native American Legal Resource Center at Oklahoma City University School of Law and was appointed by Gov. Frank Keating as the special counsel on Indian affairs to the governor of Oklahoma. His expertise has enabled him to provide counsel to tribal governments throughout the world on international treaty issues affecting indigenous people. For the past six years he has been an organizer and instructor in Nation Building for Native Youth, an Indian youth leadership program in Scottsdale, Ariz. He currently practices law with the Oklahoma City office of Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, specializing in representing Indian tribes.
The Circle of Honor ceremony recognizes an American Indian for his or her achievements by acknowledging the inductee’s contributions that have enriched others’ lives and by celebrating the inductee’s action in the face of adversity, commitment to the preservation of American Indian culture and legacy for future generations.
Sponsored by the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation, Cherokee Builders Inc., Tulsa World, American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust, the award consists of a $5,000 honorarium and a medallion featuring the American Indian Resource Center’s turtle logo. The Circle of Honor alternates annually with the American Indian Festival of Words Author Award. Past Circle of Honor recipients include Charles Chibitty, Wilma Mankiller, Neal McCaleb and Billy Mills.
TCCL’s American Indian Resource Center, located at Central Library, provides educational and informational resources, activities and services honoring American Indian heritage, arts and achievements. Recent additions to the collection include native-language printed materials and CDs for independent learning. The goal of this collection is to promote, revitalize and preserve our country’s native languages.
For more information on the Circle of Honor ceremony, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-READ, or visit the library’s website, http://tulsalibrary.org/airc.
OIBA 2010 & 2011 Activities:
May 2010 - Spring Luncheon with U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats
June 2010 - OIBA Exhibit Table & Book Signing with Susan Work's
Book re: Legal History of the Creek Nation
June 2010 - OIBA Annual Luncheon Meeting in conjunction
with the Oklahoma Supreme Court's
Sovereignty Symposium
June 2010 - Dinner Reception for Attorneys, Judges, Law
Students, & Tribal Leaders in Conjunction
with the Sovereignty Symposium
September 2010 - Participation & Exhibit Table as part of the
Southern Plains Child Protection Team
Benefit Pow Wow for abused/neglected
children in Southwestern Oklahoma
October 2010 - Co-Sponsor: Provided Refreshments to
Participants at U.S. Attorney and BIA
Consultation with Tribal Leaders
Regarding the Tribal Law & Order Act
October 2010 - Members at the 40th Anniversary of the Native
American Rights Fund Dinner Banquet
December 2010 - OIBA Annual Holiday Gala/Dinner & Angel
Tree Reception for Children in Tribal Foster
Care with Oklahoma Indian Legal Services
February 2011 - Proposed Social Outing to OKC Thunder
Basketball Game for OIBA members
May 2011 - OKC Thunder Playoff Watch Party
June 1, 2011 - Reception at Sapphire Lounge, Bricktown, OKC 7-10 in
conjunction with the Sovereignty Symposium; Italian Buffet,
Door Prizes, Music & Rooftop Outdoor Patio; Co-Sponsored
by Pitchlynn & Williams and Hobbs, Straus Dean & Walker
June 2, 2011 - Luncheon, Annual Meeting & Elections for OIBA members
at Oklahoma Supreme Court's Annual Sovereignty
Symposium, Skirvin Hotel, Downtown, Oklahoma City
Dec. 15, 2011 - Holiday Reception & Collection of Gifts for Children
In Tribal Foster Care, Library of Fine Foods, 119 N.
Robinson, Basement Level, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
OIBA President Arvo Mikkanen (3rd from right) with staff of the 3 U.S. Attorney's Offices in Oklahoma at the Annual Sovereignty Symposium Legal Conference in Oklahoma City. From left: U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats - WDOK, AUSA Trent Shores - NDOK, AUSA Don Gifford - WDOK, AUSA Clint Johnson - NDOK; AUSA Dean Burris - EDOK.
OIBA Past Vice President Stephanie Hudson Burghart of Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (OILS) at the Southern Plains Child Protection Team Pow Wow with information about the Holiday Foster Care Angel Tree Drive in September 2010. Donations were made to OILS for the effort to benefit needy children & families.
Left to Right – Bottom Row: Arvo Mikkanen(Kiowa/Comanche) (OIBA member), Jeff Davis (Turtle Mtn. Chippewa), Jan Morley (Turtle Mtn. Chippewa), Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director – Marshall Jarrett, Deputy Attorney General – David Ogden, Associate Attorney General – Tom Perrelli, Leslie Hagen, Vincent Kirby, Kerry Jacobson, Tricia Tingle (Choctaw) (OIBA Member). Top Row: Scott Kerin, Vince Carroll, Traci Whelan, Randy Seiler, Tom Rice, Jan Sharp, Kyle Nayback (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa).
On September 11, 2009, U.S. Department of Justice Leadership, including Deputy Attorney General Ogden, Associate Attorney General Perrelli, and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director Jarrett, met with a group of AUSAs and AUSA Tribal Liaisons from around the country. The discussion focused on public safety concerns in Indian country, the federal response to criminal justice and social service issues on reservations, and proposed solutions for improving the Department’s response to crime in Indian country.
Oklahoma Indian Bar Association and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services (OILS) Officers help bag up toys and gifts collected for children in tribal foster care as part of the annual "Angel Tree" Collection Drive. Items were donated by OIBA members and others to OILS and OILS attorneys purchased for over 100 kids in foster care among 7 tribes in Oklahoma. The items were delivered to the Southern Plains Child Protection Team and the Comanche Nation Child Welfare on December 20, 2010. We are currently collecting items for the 2011 holiday season.
Pictured (L to R): Stephanie Burghart Hudson (Kiowa), Arvo Mikkanen (Kiowa/Comanche), Colline Keeley (Comanche), Josie Stanley (Cherokee).
The Oklahoma Indian Bar Association is now on FACEBOOK. Become a fan of the OIBA and "like" our site the next time you are online on FACEBOOK.
The OIBA is not an advocacy group and does not have organization attorneys that are available to represent individuals or entities in litigation, nor are we able to provide any legal advice. Many of our individual members are practicing attorneys and can represent individuals, businesses, government entities, and others. If you are looking for an attorney to represent you in a matter involving practice in tribal court, tribal law or federal Indian law issues, you are welcome to contact one of our members directly. Alternatively, you may send an email describing your particular need or interest in hiring an attorney, along with your contact information, to oklahomaindianbarassociation@yahoo.com and it will be forwarded to our membership who may or may not respond to your request.
The OIBA periodically sponsors recreational, social and networking events for its members, luncheons where speakers are invited, and conference receptions. The OIBA provides for communication between its members through an e-mail listserv.
Please feel free to contact one of our officers for further information. The annual meeting June luncheon, and other social and recreational events and activities for the membership are supported by yearly dues paid by the membership, as the organization is not for profit and does not generate income, engage in any fundraising, or other similar activities.
We are excited to let you know that with your renewed OIBA 2011 membership, you will get a free OIBA full color metal lapel pin.
Please fill out the 2011 OIBA membership form which will be used to compile our 2011 membership roster.
UNLESS YOU HAVE PAID YOUR MEMBERSHIP SINCE JANUARY 1, 2011, YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE NOW DUE (this includes almost the entire membership since few, if any payments have been made). Also, OIBA is not the same as the Indian Law Section of the OBA which is paid when you renew your state bar membership.
Membership is complete once we receive your payment. You can provide your completed membership form to at the Sovereignty Symposium OIBA table or mail it to OIBA, P.O. Box 1062, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.
Upon payment, you can pick up your OIBA lapel pin and membership certificate at the Sovereignty Symposium OIBA table on June 1 & June 2, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If you wish to purchase another pin they are $ 5.00 each. If you are out of state or renew by mail, your pin will be sent to you.
