Indian Law CLE Day

A full day dedicated to Indian Law. 5 CLE credits pending

Thank you for registering for CLE Day of Indian Law Week 2026. This year, ILS is focusing on educating our Tribal partners and communities on AI and data centers. Regardless of how we want to interact with either, they are both here and it is important that we understand their impacts so that we can advocate for proper regulation. We are looking forward to a wonderful event this Friday, April 17th.

Beginning at 8:15 a.m., you may check in at the registration table to receive your name tag, confirm your details on the CLE sign-in sheet, and enjoy coffee, tea, and pastries while you mingle with other attendees and presenters.

Here are details to help you prepare for the event, ensure a smooth arrival, and make the most of your time with us:

Event Information:

· Date: Friday, April 17, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., ILS Annual Meeting at 2:45 p.m.)

· Location: Room 201, Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

o You must enter through the door on the Eddy Street side of the building.

· Address: 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812

· Parking Information: For those driving to the event, some parking is available at the University of Montana campus. Details on the location and cost are as follows:

A parking permit or guest pass is required to park on the UM campus throughout the year, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily parking passes for visitors to the University, available for $8.00, are sold online at the Parking Portal (https://umt.t2hosted.com/Account/Portal) with Guest Account set up, at University Police, University Center Bookstore and Info Desk, the Treasury Office in the Lommasson Center, and the cashier’s window at Missoula College. More information, including a map of parking lots around campus and transportation alternatives, can be found at UM's Visitor Parking Page. View a map of the parking lot and law school entrances here. Parking Lot P is the closest lot to the law school but again, you’ll need to walk to the far side of the building to enter.

Zoom link: https://umontana.zoom.us/j/99225616396

Meeting ID: 992 2561 6396

Attendance/CLE Reporting:

In order to report your attendance for CLE credit to the Montana State Bar, you must take the following steps (1) ensure we have your full name and email address; (2) complete the attendance sheet stating the number of hours attended, and (3) return the survey following the event. A survey will be emailed out on the day of the event and will include a place for you to enter your bar number for verification. You will have until Sunday, April 19th to complete the survey and your attendance will be automatically uploaded to your Montana CLE transcript on Monday, April 20th. Due to the direct reporting through the portal, you will not need a certificate of attendance.

• 8:15 - 8:30: Registration and Welcome Coffee & Pastries
• 8:30 - 8:45: Welcome and Introduction
• 8:45 – 9:45: Maranda Compton: “Technology Primer for Indian Country Advocates” Artificial Intelligence is impacting almost every aspect of legal and business advocacy, including Indian Country. This session will provide an overview of considerations for how AI might impact Tribal governments and economies. We will discuss ways that AI interacting with Tribal nations and Tribal citizens, whether they know it or not, and how Tribal Nations can think about interacting with AI.
• 10:00 – 11:30: Jim Taylor: “Tribes, Ethics, and Artificial Intelligence” This session will equip attorneys with a foundational understanding of Tribal AI governance, the specific ethical obligations triggered when AI intersects with Indian law practice, and broader policy questions that Tribal leaders and their legal counsels must navigate as our digital world transforms. Particular attention will be given to how Tribes are using AI, Tribal policies that navigate cultural and sovereignty dimensions, attorney competence obligations under this digital footprint, and will include at least one breakout session to help distinguish how AI ethics in Indian country differs from mainstream technology.
• 11:45 – 1:15: Jennifer Harrington, Michael Cassens, and Cedric Black Eagle: “Water is Life: the cost of data centers on Montana waters” Moderated by Montana Wilson (Gros Ventre, Assiniboine, Sioux, Executive Board member, ILS, Attorney, City of Wolf Point Technology is rapidly changing our world, from the classrooms to courtrooms and beyond, but at what cost to Montana’s Tribal nations and their most sacred resource: water. This panel will examine the expanding footprint of data center infrastructure and its direct implications for Tribal water rights, treaty protections, and natural resources in Montana Indian Country.
• 1:30 – 2:30: “Supreme and Tribal Court Updates”: (Wes Furlong, ILS Treasurer, Attorney, Native American Rights Fund and Shelby Copeland, NALSA President, ABIII School of Law, Juris Doctorate Candidate 2026) Moderated by Peter Matt (CST), NALSA President-elect, ABIII School of Law, Juris Doctorate Candidate 2028
• 2:45 - 3:45 ILS Annual Meeting

Additional Details:

· Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi will be available at the venue. It is an open network accessed by entering any email address.

· Dress Code: Business casual.

· Meals: Morning pastries, coffee, and refreshments to start the day. A light lunch (bison stew) with some beverage options will be provided.

· Post-CLE

o 2:45 p.m. ILS annual meeting

o 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Social (location tbd)

o 6:00 p.m. 57th Annual Kyiyo powwow, Grand Entry

Contact Information:

We are looking forward to seeing you at CLE Day 2026! Should you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to event organizer Wes Furlong, at wfurlong@narf.org.