Attorney’s Office
Tashina Emery
Paralegal
temery@kbic-nsn.gov
Phone
(906) 353-6623 x4107
Hours
8 am – 4:30 pm
Address
16429 Beartown Rd,
Baraga, MI 49908
Office of Tribal Attorney
The Office of the Tribal Attorney operates under the general supervision and policy direction of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Council. The mission of the Office of the Tribal Attorney is to support, defend, and advance the interests of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as a sovereign government. The Office provides legal services to the Tribal Council and its subordinate departments, committees, agencies, offices, and tribally owned enterprises. In carrying out this mission, the Office acts in an advisory and ministerial capacity on behalf of the Community.
Representation of the Community
The Office of the Tribal Attorney works to support the collective legal interests of the Community. Legal services are provided in furtherance of tribal governance, sovereignty, and community well-being.
While the Office does not provide representation in individual private legal matters, it plays an important role in supporting the systems, programs, and policies that serve community members as a whole.
Legal Advisory Role
The Office serves as the primary legal advisor to the Tribal Council. Under the policy direction of the Tribal Council, the Office also provides legal guidance to department heads, directors, officers, employees, and staff of the Community when acting within the scope of their official duties.
The Office of the Tribal Attorney also acts as a liaison with:
- Other sovereign Indian nations
- Federal, state, and local governments
- Tribal, state, and federal courts
- Professional associations and intergovernmental bodies
Core Functions of the Office
The primary functions of the Office of the Tribal Attorney include:
- Protecting and advancing the Community’s sovereignty and treaty rights
- Providing legal advice and counsel to the Tribal Council and subordinate entities
- Representing the Community in judicial, legislative, executive, and administrative proceedings
- Coordinating legal matters with federal, state, and local agencies
- Supporting effective governance, compliance, and risk management
- Carrying out criminal prosecution on behalf of the Community, where authorized
Legal Request Procedure
To help us respond efficiently and ensure all requests are properly reviewed and tracked, the Office of the Tribal Attorney accepts legal requests in writing.
How to Submit a Legal Request
- Please submit all legal requests by email to temery@kbic-nsn.gov
- Include a brief description of the request and any relevant documents
- Let us know your preferred timeline or deadline, if applicable
Submitting requests in writing helps our office prioritize matters, assign them appropriately, and provide timely responses.
Looking for Individual Legal Support or Assistance?
While the Office of the Tribal Attorney serves the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as a whole and does not provide representation in individual legal matters, there are organizations and resources available to assist community members with personal legal needs.
Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) provides free civil legal assistance to eligible Native American clients throughout Michigan:
https://www.mils3.org/
For additional legal help, self-help materials, and information about legal aid organizations and clinics, the University of Michigan Law Library offers a helpful public resource guide:
https://libguides.law.umich.edu/public_research/findinghelp
Jerry Shoup
Assistant Tribal Attorney
Paul Mooney
Assistant Tribal Attorney
