FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2024

CONTACT: Kate Rosier
Assistant Dean, Community Engagement
Executive Director, Indian Legal Program
Email: ilp@asu.edu
Phone: 480-965-6204

PHOENIX, ARIZ. | The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University’s Indian Legal Program (ILP), American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)’s Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty (CTDS) announced a new partnership in growing ILP’s long-standing conference — Wiring the Rez. The conference, sponsored by Caliber Financial Services and Pomo Upper Lake Habemateolel, is part of the Rosette, LLP American Indian Economic Development Program and will take place on February 20 and 21, 2025, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino.

“Since the American Indian Policy Institute transitioned organizationally into the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2024, we have had the opportunity to collaborate more closely with the Indian Legal Program, which has been very rewarding. After establishing the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty, it made sense to expand our partnership with ILP and become more involved in the success of the Wiring the Rez conference,” said Traci Morris, Ph.D., executive director of AIPI and CTDS.

Wiring the Rez is excited to announce extended partnerships for the 2025 conference. Thanks to these new partners – the NCAI and the Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC) – we are able to expand the topics and extend the conference to a full two-day format. NCAI is a nonprofit organization advocating for a promising future for Indian Country by working to gain consensus on constructive visions. SGCETC is a nonprofit consortium of Tribal Nations dedicated to advancing Tribal sovereignty and enhancing Self-Governance authority for all Tribal Nations through advocacy, education and strategic partnerships.

“The National Congress of American Indians is proud to be a new co-host in the Wiring the Rez conference with the Indian Legal Program and American Indian Policy Institute at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. All of the leaders at ASU are deeply valued partners of NCAI, and with them, we are also proud to help lead the Nation’s first and only Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty. This center is dedicated to providing Tribal governments, leadership, and communities with the tools needed for digital sovereignty planning and an invigorated Tribal technological landscape for generations to come. The fact that the entire second day of the Wiring the Rez Conference will be all about Tribal Digital Sovereignty places a vital issue at the forefront of the national conversation. It is a meaningful expansion of the legacy of this important gathering,” said Geoffrey Blackwell, NCAI general counsel and chief of staff.

For 10 years, the Wiring the Rez Conference has brought together Tribal Nations and Tribal entrepreneurs to discuss the complex tribal e-commerce environment, protect sovereignty and promote entrepreneurial diversification. “Tribal Governments engaging in business on reservations must consider using e-commerce to diversify and strengthen their economies. Online businesses including lending, product sales, and health care are a huge part of reservation economic growth. All of these require tribes to start thinking about data storage, privacy, and jurisdictional issues,” said Professor Robert J. Miller, Director of the Rosette, LLP American Indian Economic Development Program at ASU Law.

This year, Wiring the Rez will include an additional topical focus, expanding the event to two full days. The new topic will focus on Tribal digital sovereignty, where speakers will discuss the resources and support needed to establish a digital sovereignty plan and navigate the complexities of digital sovereignty. The event will also continue to focus on e-commerce, gaming, Tribal lending and self-governance – helping Tribal Nations, Tribal entrepreneurs and business providers gain a deeper understanding of the Tribal e-commerce environment.

“ASU is a leader in innovation and technology, and ASU Law leads the way in smart partnerships for positive impact across Indian Country. When ASU partners with Tribes and National organizations, we work to strengthen Tribal sovereignty by advancing best practices and information sharing. Dr. Traci Morris and the new Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty will be at the center of this movement. The American Indian Policy Institute and NCAI are natural partners for this conference,” said Stacy Leeds, Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents and Foundation Professor of Law at ASU Law.

Business development in Indian Country has long been a significant challenge. However, recent improvements in broadband coverage, Tribal fintech and legal understandings offer greater opportunities for business development on Tribal land.

Confirmed speakers include keynote speaker Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes; Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis; NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright Jr.; Self-Governance Communication & Education Tribal Consortium Executive Director Jay Spaan; Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Director of Self-Governance and Health Policy Melanie Fourkiller; Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Chief Operations Officer Linda Austin; San Diego State University Assistant Professor Brandon Mastromartino; Pechanga General Counsel Steve Bodmer; Greenburg Traurig Attorney Jennifer Weddle; Jenner Block Attorney Charles Galbraith; LCO Financial Services Chief Administrative Officer Trina Starr; Curador Labs President Corey Owens; Executive Director Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative Carly Griffith Hotvedt; Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association Director of Technology Matthew Rantanen; and NCAI General Counsel and Chief of Staff Geoffrey Blackwell.

Registration is available at: law.asu.edu/wiringtherez

Media passes to this event are available.

More information at: law.asu.edu/wiringtherez

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About the Indian Legal Program

Established more than 35 years ago, the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has grown to become one of the most respected Indian law programs in the nation. Home to one of the highest concentrations of Native American students and Indian law students in the nation, ASU Law has an active Native American Law Students Association that hosts events, participates in pro bono activities, and mentors incoming students. Students have an instant network to support them academically, professionally and socially. Working for tribes, in public service, private practice and nonprofit organizations, Indian Legal Program alumni are making a difference in Indian Country. The program's positive reputation is in large part due to the success and support of its graduates. Learn more at law.asu.edu/ilp.

About the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs

The Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs were created in service to Indian Country in order to equip professionals with a practical understanding of Federal Indian Law and to support these areas of economic success. Graduates may serve as senior or mid-level executives for tribes or tribal entities, tribal elected officials responsible for overseeing these aspects of their tribal operations, and other professionals with careers such as congressional staff and federal, state and local employees. Learn more at law.asu.edu/igg.

About the American Indian Policy Institute

The American Indian Policy Institute is an Indigenous-led and staffed research institute at Arizona State University whose work supports Tribal communities and Indigenous peoples nationwide. We do this by creating academic research focused on key issues in Indian Country, by analyzing and developing policy research and recommendations on those issues, and by building capacity within an ecosystem of lifelong learning. Learn more at aipi.asu.edu.

About the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty

The American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), based on a long-standing commitment to bridging the digital divide on tribal lands, founded and formed the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University on June 24, 2024. The Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty (CTDS) is the first and only center in the Nation dedicated to assisting Tribal governments, leadership, and communities in understanding the complexities of digital sovereignty, providing access to resources and serving as a clearinghouse for Tribal digital sovereignty. Learn more at aipi.asu.edu/ctds.

About the National Congress of American Indians

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the United States. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to government policies. NCAI promotes an understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information, visit www.ncai.org.