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PRESS
RELEASE CRST Public Relations
8/9/2004 LeAnn High Bear
Law
Interns Depart
Law
students from Washington University School of Law
have returned to St. Louis, Missouri to begin their
second year of Law School after spending their summer
interning for the CRST Legal Department. To expand
his student’s knowledge on Federal Indian
Law, Steve Gunn, former CRST Tribal Attorney, now
an Associate Professor at WU School of Law introduces
his students to, “American Indian Law and
Economic Development Externship,” which prepares
them to take on Native American Legal Issues.
Amber
Goethel, Cynthia Wolken, Kee Wen Wong, and Beverly
Yang helped the legal system immensely as they worked
to develop and update the Law and Order Code, and
spent roughly 2,000 hours on Tribal Legality alone.
CRST’s Legal Department is further advanced
than any other tribe in the state of South Dakota
and the contributions of the law student’s
knowledge play a big part in the department’s
success. According to the students they were given
the opportunity to learn about issues they would
not have been able to learn in a Law Firm. Tom Van
Norman, Tribal Attorney emphasized, “The challenge
for these students was so great because they were
serving a Tribe that has so many needs.”
While
in Eagle Butte the students also made an effort
to learn about our way of life by attending Pow-wow’s,
Sundance’s, Rodeos, and were also able to
go horseback riding. Mr. Van Norman accompanied
the interns to Bear Lodge, WY where they learned
about legal issues concerning the sacred site. Beverly
Yang stated, “I think the most lasting impression
I’ll have is meeting with the Indian people
to listen to their stories and talking to the elders.”
Chairman Frazier along with the legal staff acknowledged
the interns dedication and valuable efforts, in
the tradition of honoring each with a star quilt
and honor song performed by Wakpa Waste (Good River),
following the opening prayer by Pastor Daniel LaPlante.
The Chairman stated, “On behalf of the Cheyenne
River Sioux Tribe, thank you. As you move forward,
do not forget the Native American People and our
treaties, and always remember to uphold the Constitution
of the United States.” Although the interns
departed more are expected, as law schools continuously
look for job placements for their students. According
to Van Norman, “It is great to have outside
resources we can consult with.”
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