(Photo courtesy of Udall Foundation)
Noah Wahquahboshkuk started at Michigan State University College of Law in the fall of 2020, inspired to do work that made an impact, much like the work he saw his own father do on behalf of their tribal community.
“Growing up my father was a tribal chairman and tribal leader for the tribe. He was always doing things for the community, for people. He was also a Vietnam veteran,” he explained. “The things he’s done are super heroic – and I thought if only I could be half as great as he is, I think that’d be amazing.”
In his first year at MSU Law, he’s enjoyed the opportunity to learn from leading scholars and advocates in Indian law.
“There’s a nurturing environment for Indian law (at MSU Law). Great professors, such as Professor Fletcher, Professor Singel, and Professor Fort – amazing people who are doing amazing things in Indian Country,” Wahquahboshkuk said. “It’s a blessing to be around these people. They’re celebrities in my eyes.”
Wahquahboshkuk is a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Wah-qua-bas-kuk Band, and a descendant of Wabokieshiek, Sauk and Winnebago leaders. Recently, he was selected as a 2022 Native American Congressional Intern by the Udall Foundation. He will also serve as a clerk for UCLA’s Indian Law Clinic this summer.
“I’m going to have a super full plate this summer, but it’s going to be amazing – the amount of experience and access to the issues that are going on in Indian Country,” he said. “I’m from a removed tribe and we’re located in Kansas, far away from our aboriginal homelands, so the issues are super different with tribes who remained in their area, relatively speaking. [It’s going to open] my eyes to shift that paradigm of what’s really going on in our nation.”
Part of the Udall Foundation’s mission is “to provide programs to promote leadership, education, collaboration, and conflict resolution in the areas of environment, public lands, and natural resources in order to strengthen Native nations, assist federal
agencies and others to resolve environmental conflicts, and to encourage the continued use and appreciation of our nation’s rich resources.”
While he doesn’t yet know where the Foundation will place him or the role he will take on, Wahquahboshkuk is interested in the environment and sustainability as well as taxation, given his background in tribal taxation and data analytics.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/subscriptions
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
http://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
