Tribal Management of Natural and Energy Resources (Presented by The Federal Bar Association Annual Meeting & Convention 2025 sponsor Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP)

Arielle Wagner | Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP

Arielle Strong Wagner is Partner and practices primarily in Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP’s antitrust, generative AI, data breach, and tribal government representation groups, representing consumers, small businesses, and tribes in complex litigation throughout the United States. In her antitrust practice, Arielle focuses on plaintiffs-side class actions involving claims of price fixing, restraint of trade, monopolization, and attempted monopolization in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, technology, and retail products. In her generative AI practice, Arielle represents creators who find their work replicated or utilized without consent. Arielle’s tribal government representation practice includes experience in the areas of Federal Indian Law, tribal sovereign immunity and environmental law and regulations.

Arielle is a Past President of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association. She is passionate about issues related to diversity and inclusion in the legal industry, and serves on the Executive Committee of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice. Arielle was named a Minnesota Attorney of the Year for her work on a pro bono appeal that resulted in the overturn of a conviction after an illegal stop. She was named an ‘Up & Coming Attorney’ by Minnesota Lawyer in 2021, was named a Minnesota Rising Star by Super Lawyers each year since 2022, and has also been recognized by North Star Lawyer for her pro bono work.

Arielle is from the Lake Vermilion Reservation in Tower, Minnesota (population 500). She is an enrolled citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Laura Matson | Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP

Laura M. Matson practices in Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP’s environmental, political, business, intellectual property, antitrust, employment, mediation, government representation, generative AI, and complex litigation practice groups, representing numerous public entities, businesses, tribal governments, and individual plaintiffs in complex litigation and transactional matters in state and federal court. In 2024, Laura was selected as an Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer.

Laura is a 2014 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. She also holds a PhD in Geography, Environment, and Society from the University of Minnesota and a MS in Development Studies from the University of London. Her PhD research focused on expansions of American Indian Tribal jurisdiction over resource policy and water regulation.

Laura currently serves as a Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law Section. She has taught courses at the University of Minnesota Law School and College of Liberal Arts and has published in the areas of treaty law, environmental law, international law, and natural resource policy.

I. Legal foundations | 2:00pm – 2:15pm

• Traditional practices, Treaties, key cases, MOUs and collaborative agreements, etc. that secure tribal rights to manage their resources

II. Natural Resource Management | 2:15pm – 2:30pm

• Explain sovereignty in the natural resource context (how are tribes managing resources differently that western natural resource management?)
• Examples
  • Water resources and water rights
  • Forest management
  • Conservation of resources

III. Energy Resource Management | 2:30pm – 2:45pm

• Tribal energy sovereignty initiatives
• Renewable/Non-renewable
• Examples of tribal renewable energy projects/initiatives
• Benefits and challenges of energy development on tribal lands

IV. Why tribal management of these resources is crucial for environmental sustainability and cultural preservation | 2:45pm – 3:00pm