Public Speaker, Educator & Tribal Attorney Specializing in Native American policy & Law
37 years of public service as an attorney, government affairs expert and educator
Tadd M. Johnson (Waabanakwad) is an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, a tribal attorney, a current Regent of the University of Minnesota, Professor Emeritus of the University of Minnesota Duluth, the former first Sr. Director of Tribal Nations Relations for the University of Minnesota, a former congressional staff director of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Native American Affairs and former regulator as Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. He is a founding member of the Native Governance Center, the founder of the Tribal Soverignty Institute at UMD and is currently a Presidential appointed and U.S. Senate confirmed (twice) Board Member of the Udall Foundation, which oversees the Native Nations Institute. He has directed the Government Affairs Department of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and has spent his life defending the rights of Native nations, expanding educational opportunities for Native Americans in higher education and building understanding between tribal, local, state and federal governments.
Tadd explains complex issues about difficult topics through story-telling that is relatable and language that is unpretentious.
Yes, he is an academic, but whether he’s speaking to U.S. Senators or state employees, Tadd explains tribal-state-federal history and policy to every audience with clarity and authenticity, in a way that keeps their attention riveted. Whether giving a keynote about Native American religious freedom or treaty rights or delivering a workshop about tribal sovereignty, Tadd delivers content that expands knowledge and understanding of Native nations in a way that audiences find thought-provoking and inspiring Audiences leave with a new foundation for being better neighbors and tribal partners.
““Tadd is an outstanding public speaker and trainer. I know of few other attorneys and policy experts who are as trusted and highly regarded by tribal leaders throughout Indian country as Tadd Johnson. Every tribal leader who knows Tadd trusts him. For over 30 years, I have depended on his invaluable strategic counsel and legislative and policy expertise. ”
Beaded bandolier bags that belonged to Tadd’s grandmother, Mary Anderson, hanging on the wall of her home on Burntside Lake. The bag on the left, which was handed down to Tadd from his mother Norma, was recently donated to the Bois Forte Museum.
“As an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and Bois Forte Band, Professor Johnson has dedicated his entire career to the betterment of American Indians.”
building partnerships with tribes requires a willingness to accept that everything you thought you knew about us might be wrong.
There are 3 sovereigns in the United States: the federal government, state governments and tribal governments. In states like Minnesota, tribal governents and their economic development enterprises are among the top 20 employers in the State. Yet most public policy professionals know little to nothing about Native nations. From K-12 to the nation’s flagship public policy institutions, Americans are not taught about Indian nations as governments and our shared history - which frequently results in unnecessary, often costly conflict and reputational harm. Tadd and his team bring decades of experience and a proven track record of success with providing professional development to governments, organizations and businesses committed to improving their relationships with Native nations through their own knowledge building and growth.
“Mr. Johnson…is one of the most highly recognized attorneys in the nation in the area of Native American law. ”
— Speaker Nancy Pelosi, November 9, 2011, letter to John Boehner.
“Your progress toward improving the operations of the NIGC [National Indian Gaming Commission] is a testament to your successful leadership, and I commend you on your efforts to build and lead a successful organization. You can be proud of your dedicated service, especially your devotion to the best interests of Native American people and your expertise in addressing the complex issues of the Indian gaming industry.”
— President Bill Clinton, letter to Tadd Johnson, December 18, 1998
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We would love to arrange for Tadd to speak at your next event, or to plan a future professional development workshop for your team with our team. But hey, we know it’s early, and in typical Minnesota-style, we’re not pushy. But if you are so inclined and would like to leave your email address below, we promise, you won’t hear from us much. But you willl be the first to know about any future events and receive a heads-up when Tadd’s blog is posted. Miigwech!