25th Annual California Indian Law Conference

Please join CILA for our 25th Annual California Indian Law Conference & Awards Dinner, October 22-24, 2025 at Graton Resort and Casino. 9.0 MCLE (CA) credits (8.0 General and 1.0 Ethics - Participatory) are offered for all attendees. Confirmation will be provided upon circulation of the final agenda.

Conference fees include a welcome dinner Wednesday night. Fees also includes buffet breakfast Thursday and Friday mornings, a plated lunch Thursday afternoon, the awards dinner Thursday evening, and a grab and go lunch on Friday. Please provide your entree selections during the check-out process. Coffee and water are available all day, each day of the Conference.

Thanks to the 2025 CILA Conference Poster Artist, Monica Zavala. Learn more at https://www.theartofmonicazavala.com.

The CILA Board thanks our 2025 Conference Sponsors for their generosity and support of our mission.

Golden Bear Level Sponsor: Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Deer Level: Colorado River Indian Tribes

Deer Level: UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law

Otter Level: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Break Sponsor: Berkey Williams LLP

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit email [email protected].

Graton Room Block Details. CILA has a limited room block at Graton Resort and Casino, offering a discounted rate of $289/night (Single or Double Occupancy Run of House Room) + Discounted Resort Fee ($15/night) + taxes. To book at our reduced rate, please call 707.588.7100 or 707.588.7800 and mention "California Indian Law Conference." If the room block is full, please email us at [email protected] with your requests and we will try and accommodate.

Learn more about the Resort at https://www.gratonresortcasino.com/resort

The resort is located at 288 Golf Course Dr., Rohnert Park, CA. There are many nearby and affordable accommodations, including:

Oxford Suites, 707-584-0333

Inn at Rohnert Park, 707-584-8180

Double Tree by Hilton Rohnert Park, 866-238-4218

CILA Membership & 2025 Annual Board Elections. The price of 2025-2026 annual CILA membership dues is included in your full conference registation. Please complete your membership registration form. More information will be provided in the check-out process. To express your interest in running for one of three (3) open Board of Director positions, please fill out this interest form.

Refund Policy. Full registration refunds (less Eventbrite fee, which is nonrefundable) will be processed for cancellations received by 5:00PM Pacific Friday, September 19 sent via email to [email protected]. After the posted cancellation date, registrations may be transferred to another attendee but not refunded (a change in entree selection may not be possible). No-shows will be billed. Please email [email protected] with questions and written cancellation/substitution requests.

Entree Selections. Plated meals on Thursday offer your choice of entree selection. Entree selections made after Friday, September 19, 2025, may not be accommodated. Vegan options will be available at every meal.

Questions? Contact CILA at [email protected] Thank you!

Congratulations to our 2025 CILA Awardees, Assemblymember Ramos and Erica Costa. To learn more about these remarkable California leaders, please read our press release on our website.

Info: The CILA Board will be hosting a CILA Board Meeting ahead of the Conference. This is a working session to include Conference preparations. CILA Members are welcome to join. Please email [email protected] for the exact location.

Info: The CILA Board invites those interested in running for a vacant Board position to this interest meeting. This is your opportunity to ask questions of current Board Members, introduce yourself, and determine if you are interested in serving. CILA Board positions are three-year terms. Learn more about the current Board at: https://www.calindianlaw.org/leadership.html

Info: Included with your Conference registration, please plan to join our Welcome Dinner to take place at the North Lawn. We'll have networking, dinner, and fun surprises. Please indicate your plans to attend during Conference Registration to help us with planning. Have your plans changed? Please email us at [email protected] at your first opportunity. Sorry, this event is for Conference attendees only.

Info: CILA Registration and Breakfast will open at 8:00AM. Breakfast will be available until 9:00AM. Coffee, tea, and water will be available all day.

Info: Please join us for welcome remarks from representatives from our host and 2025 Golden Bear Sponsor, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

Info: Join Lauren van Schilfgaarde (Cochiti Pueblo) and Steven Hart. Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Info: Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Info: Amy Bowers Cordalis is a devoted advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental restoration. A member of the Yurok Tribe and ceremony family from the village of Rek-Woi at the mouth of the Klamath River, she is a fisherwoman, attorney, and mother deeply rooted in the traditions of her people. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, Amy leads efforts to support tribes in protecting their sovereignty, lands, and waters, including the historic Klamath Dam Removal project—one of the world’s largest river restoration and dam removal initiatives. Former general counsel for the Yurok Tribe and an attorney at the Native American Rights Fund, Amy has earned honors as a UN Champion of the Earth and Time 100 climate leader and is the author of the forthcoming book, The Water Remembers, anticipated in October 2025.

Info: More details to be announced soon.

Info: Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Info: Join CILA as we celebrate our 2025 Award Winners: Erica Costa and Assemblymember James Ramos. Bryan Newland will offer a Keynote Address

Info: Join panelists for a review of federal regulations, including the federal recognition Part 83 repetitioning rule, Part 151 fee to trust updates, Part 293 tribal-state gaming compact regulations, and the PROGRESS Act. Learn about the process and intent behind the final rules, current status/implementation, and any roadblocks or current litigation affecting them.

Info: More details announced soon.

Host or Publisher California Indian Law Association