Indigenous Law & Policy Center Staff
Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Director, Associate Professor of Law, Member of Grand Traverse Band of Odawa Indians Tribe
Matthew L.M. Fletcher is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University College of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center. He teaches American Indian law courses and Constitutional Law I. He also sits as an appellate judge for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and the Hoopa Valley Tribe, and is a consultant to the Seneca Nation of Indians Court of Appeals. In the summer of 2005, he was the Indian Law instructor at the American Indian Law Center’s Pre-Law Summer Institute and will serve as co-chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Annual Indian Law Conference in Albuquerque from 2006-2008.
Professor Fletcher graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1997 and the University of Michigan in 1994. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, Arizona, and Washington. Professor Fletcher is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, located in Peshawbestown, Michigan. He is married to Wenona T. Singel, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Wenona T. Singel, Associate Director, Associate Professor of Law, Member of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Wenona T. Singel is an Assistant Professor at the Law College as well as the Associate Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center. Professor Singel is an Appellate Judge for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and a former member of the tribe’s Economic Development Commission. She is Of Council to the law firm of Kanji & Katzen, PLLC, a firm with offices in Ann Arbor and Seattle that specializes in representing tribes in Indian law matters.
Professor Singel graduated from Harvard University in 1995 and Harvard Law School in 1999. She has worked at Dickenson Wright PLLC, Kanji & Katzen PLLC and was an Assistant Professor at University of North Dakota School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Michigan and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Professor Singel is an enrolled member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Kate E. Fort, Staff Attorney, Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Kate Fort is the Staff Attorney and Adjunct Clinical Instructor for the Indigenous Law & Policy Center. Prior to this position, she was the Indian Law Fellow for the Indigenous Law & Policy Center. Previous work includes jobs with Congresswoman Lois Capps, the Democratic National Committee, and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Ms. Fort received her J.D. from the MSU College of Law where she graduated with a Certificate in Indigenous Law. She received her B.A. in History from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.
Emily S. Petoskey, Program Coordinator, Member of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Emily Petoskey is the Program Coordinator for the Indigenous Law & Policy Center. She is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University focusing in International Studies. Emily is originally from Traverse City, Michigan.