Matthew Fletcher
Matthew L.M. Fletcher, a distinguished member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is a revered legal scholar, professor, and judicial authority in the realms of Indigenous law and policy. Currently serving as the Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School, Fletcher brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the Advisory Council for the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College.
Fletcher's educational journey began at the University of Michigan, where he completed both his undergraduate studies and his Juris Doctorate. His career trajectory has seen him provide legal counsel to four Indian tribes, including the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Grand Traverse Band itself. His academic tenure includes significant contributions as a professor at Michigan State University College of Law and the Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center, where he developed a robust program aimed at training law students to work within Indian Country, emphasizing the intersection of American Indian law with state and federal law.
In addition to his professorial roles, Fletcher has held various judicial positions, serving as Chief Justice for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, among others. His commitment to justice and Indigenous rights extends into his scholarly work, where he has published extensively on federal Indian law, tribal law, and Anishinaabe legal and political philosophy. His work has been cited by the United States Supreme Court and in numerous other legal contexts, highlighting his influence in the field.
Fletcher's involvement in landmark legal initiatives includes being the lead reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the Law of American Indians, an effort that underscores his pivotal role in shaping contemporary understandings and applications of Indigenous law. He has also authored several key texts in the field, including "Federal Indian Law" and "Principles of Federal Indian Law," contributing significantly to legal scholarship and education.
Fletcher's personal history and connection to the University of Michigan, where many of his relatives have earned degrees, add a layer of historical depth to his professional achievements. His dedication to defending the rights of Native children through advocacy for the Indian Child Welfare Act and his innovative approach to teaching, which incorporates Anishinaabe legal and political philosophies, reflect his comprehensive and culturally informed perspective on law.
Matthew L.M. Fletcher's appointment to the Advisory Council at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples is a testament to his enduring commitment to Indigenous rights, legal education, and the advancement of Native American jurisprudence.