Regent, university of minnesota
Appointed by Governor Tim Walz to fill a vacancy for the 8th District on the U of M Board of Regents in 2022, Tadd was confirmed by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2023 to a 6-year term as the first Native American Regent for the U of M.
tribal attorney and special advisor on government affairs
Advised the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin for 23 years, providing strategic counsel on federal and state legal, political, public relations and legislative initiatives
board member, udall foundation
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2023 to serve on the Board of the Udall Foundation, an independent executive branch agency that provides programs that promote leadership, education, collaboration and conflict resolution in the areas of environment, public lands, and natural resources, strengthen Native nations, and assist federal agencies and others inresolving environmental conflicts
sr. director of american indian tribal nations relations, u of M
Advised the President of the University of Minnesota and the Vice President of Equity and Divrsity on building relationships with Tribal Nations in this innaugural position. Fostered sustainable relationships between tribal leaders and the U of M leadership, opening pathways for new relationships and collaboration
Solicitor general/in-house counsel, mille lacs band of ojibwe
Served as Solicitor General, the highest ranking in-house attorney for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and administered the Department of Justice on four separate occasions.
u.s. congressional staff director and counsel
Directed U.S. House legislative activities under jurisdiction of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Native American Affairs and the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, achieving passage of historic legislation including the Self-Governance Program, amendments to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and twice overturned the U.S. Supreme Court case of Duro v. Reina.
Receiving Lifetime Achievement Award from Native American Finance Officers Association, 2022. With NAFOA Board Member/Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
An enrolled member of the Bois Forte Chippewa Band of the MInnesota Chippewa Tribe and attorney, Tadd is a sought-out public speaker and educator. With his colleagues and tribal leaders, Tadd has trained over 6000 employees (and counting) of the State of Minnesota in Tribal-State Relations and many other government officials. You can check out his resume or just scroll through his career highlights here. Tadd specializes in building understanding of and respect for the unique rights and sovereign status of federally-recognized American Indian tribal governments through story-telling, weaving a compelling historical narrative that helps audiences place current events in our shared, historical context. This is the history most Americans were never taught.
director of graduate studies and professor, university of minnesota duluth, american indian studies.
Administered Graduate Studies in AIS, including the Mater of Tribal Resources and Environmental Stewardship (MTRES) and the Master of Tribal Administration and Governance (MTAG)
chairman of the national indian gaming commission
Appointed by President Clinton to chair the National Indian Gaming Commission, a federal agency that regulates Indian casino gaming.
creator, co-host and co-producer of pbs native report
Created Native Report, a PBS news magazine show that covers tribal issues and celebrates Native American culture and heritage. Now in its 19th season, Tadd Co-hosted and Co-produced Native Report for 10 years before passing the baton. Native Report is carried on satellite in most states.