Indian tribes are distinct political entities that have exercised sovereign authority over their lands since time immemorial. They often engage both the federal and state governments on a "government to government" basis to confront shared issues. In Dykema's half-century experience in the field of Indian law, we have assisted many of Michigan's tribes in reaching agreements with federal, state, and local units of government to protect their right to self-governance.

Members of Dykema’s Indian law team have varied backgrounds that give them a unique perspective and ability to effectively communicate tribal interests. Our wealth of experience, coupled with the firm’s highly-regarded government policy advisors, has enabled us to secure positive results for our clients on a wide range of Indian-related matters.

Here are just a few projects on which Dykema has worked to advance the interests of tribal governments:
 

• Successfully defended the validity of tribal-state gaming compacts before the Michigan Supreme Court
• Appeared on behalf of tribes and tribal interests in federal and state courts and before regulatory agencies
• Advocated on behalf of tribes and tribal interests before Congress, executive officials of the Department of Interior, and the White House
• Participated in the negotiation of agreements between tribes and local governments, state government, the federal government, and private business developers
• Handled administrative law matters, such as applications to take land into trust and for federal recognition
• Represented tribes in the area of labor & employment
• Assisted tribal governments and economic entities in securing financing for economic development projects
• Partnered with the Michigan State University College of Law's Indigenous Law and Policy Center to establish a tribal-clerkship program within the firm Members of Dykema’s Indian law team have varied backgrounds that give them a unique perspective and ability to effectively communicate tribal interests.

In addition to representing Indian tribes and tribal interests, Dykema has used its expertise in this field to represent many different companies that have engaged in business transactions with tribes. These types of companies include: utilities, cellular companies, construction firms, developers, consultants, billboard companies, and advertisers.

Our wealth of experience, coupled with the firm’s highly-regarded government policy advisors, has enabled us to secure positive results for our clients on a wide range of Indian-related matters.

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Treaties and Related Documents 1819 Treaty of Saginaw 1821 Treaty of Chicago 1836 Treaty of Washington 1842 Treaty of LaPointe 2000 Consent Decree Governing State and Tribal Fishing Activities in the Great Lakes Government-to-Government Documents 2006 Economic Development Accord 2002 Intergovernmental Cooperation Accord 2004 Water Protection Accord Gaming Compacts and Related Documents 1998 Compacts Gun Lake Tribe of Potawatomi Indians Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Compact Amendments 2003 Amendment to Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Compact 1993 Consent Judgment Leading to Michigan's First Gaming Compacts 1993 Compacts Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Hannahville Indian Community Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Tribal-State Tax Agreements Bay Mills Indian Community 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment 2007 Amendment to Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tax Agreement 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Hannahville Indian Community 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment 2007 Amendment to Hannahville Indian Community Tax Agreement 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Little River Band of Ottawa Indians 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment 2007 Amendment to Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Tax Agreement 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indian 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment 2007 Amendment to Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Tax Agreement 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 2002 Tax Agreement 2007 Amendment

For more information about Indian law, or to ask a Dykema Indian law member to speak on an Indian-related issue, please contact:
Lance Boldrey 517-374-9162
Shaun M. Johnson 517-374-9159