The Winter Break Trip to Cherokee was amazing. It
was the first time I had ever sat down face-to-face with a client to discuss
their situation, and, even though I didn't realize it until Dean
Novinsky congratulated me afterwards, the first time I had ever filed
papers with a court. It was incredibly satisfying to do something so
tangible to help people solve their problems, and a great reminder of
why the law actually matters to people.
Another thing I really enjoyed about the trip was learning about
how the Eastern Band of the Cherokee functions as a government. As an
international studies major in undergrad, it was interesting for me to
contrast the tribe to the state and the nation.
The tribal government, for example, also functions as an economic
venture and has several investments in companies and employers on the
reservation in Swain and Jackson counties. At the same time, there are
similarities: so many of the problems that seem unwieldy
on a national scale, like budgets and rising healthcare costs, are also
confronted by the tribe on a much smaller scale.
Group discussion of the first half of the day
Posted by Nathan R. Creger (Nate) on Mon. January 14, 2013 6:12 PM
Categories:
Winter Break Trip 2013