April 3, 2006
Apr. 14: From the Warrior Viewpoint: The Next Generation of Indian Law
Law professor Rennard Strickland knows everything about movies and tells wonderful stories. For that alone, he deserves honor and glory.
He weaves Indian culture and tradition into academic works and rituals in a seamless way. His students have called him the “rock star of federal Indian law.” And now the rock star intends to retire — this year will be his last as a full-time professor of law.
Strickland’s friends, colleagues, and fellow Native American activists will honore him at an April 14 CLE symposium, ” From the Warrior Viewpoint: The Next Generation of Indian Law and Policy,” and at a special evening program from 7 P.M. to 9 P.M. in the Wayne Morse Commons of the UO School of Law.
The evening gala includes a reading by Strickland from his fortieth book, “Grandfather Was a Good Witch: Growing Up Cherokee,” and tributes by Wilma Mankiller, the first woman chief of the Cherokees, and Chad Smith, current principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
Called “Celebrating Forty, “ it will commemorate his entire career, the publication of his fortieth book and his fortieth year of teaching.
More about Rennard Strickland:
The Jaqua Law Library features an exhibit of Rennard Strickland’s life and times, beginning Monday, April 3 through fall, 2006
Strickland worked as one of the editors of the latest (2005) edition of Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law (which also features UO law professor Mary Christina Wood as a contributing author). Editors said there were several important reasons to update the book, including recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions curbing tribal sovereignty, and the dramatic expansion of tribal gaming and commerce in the United States.
