Lydia Locklear Canty

 

With more than ten years of education in Federal Indian Law, Lydia Locklear Canty is dedicated to advancing Indigenous rights and safeguarding tribal sovereignty. Her work centers around tribal governance including building tribal legal infrastructure through code drafting, constitutional reform, and the development of tribal judicial systems. Lydia has provided counsel to tribal clients on a wide and complex range of matters including government-to-government relations, economic development and gaming, expanding tribal jurisdiction, protecting and preserving sacred sites and natural resources, repatriating tribal remains and artifacts, and advocating for environmental rights, child welfare, and missing and murdered Indigenous Peoples. Lydia is especially committed to bringing free legal services to tribal communities.​​​​

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In her previous role at the Catawba Nation, Lydia provided counsel across all Nation entities on matters such as governance, economic development, public safety, gaming, environmental law, and intergovernmental relations. Lydia played a key role in establishing and supporting foundational institutions such as the Nation’s police department, court system, Two King’s Casino, housing department, and healthcare structure.

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​Prior Legal Experience

Deputy Tribal Attorney, Catawba Nation (2020-2025); Associate, Fox Valley Technical College (2024); Judicial Law Clerk, Supreme Court of North Carolina (2019); Paralegal, North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, North Carolina Department of Administration (2017-2018); Legal Intern, Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice (2017); Law Clerk, Indian Law Clinic, Michigan State University College of Law (2015-2017); Sidley Fellow, Indian Law Resource Center (2016); Law Clerk, Dykema Gossett, PLLC (2016); Martin Luther King Jr. Intern, Legal Aid of North Carolina (2015).​

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Publications

The Reclamation of Law Enforcement in Indian Country: Tribal Justice Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (forthcoming) 

Crickets, Indigenous Peoples’ Journal of Law, Culture & Resistance, Volume 3, Issue 1 (2016)

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Professional Organizations

Chair, Pre-Law Summer Institute Judicial Clerkship Committee

Board Member, Board of Visitors, University of North Carolina at Pembroke​

Advisory Board Member, Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health

Advisory Board Member, Old Main STREAM Academy

Board Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Federal Bar Association (2024-2025)

Secretary, Catawba Corporations (2020-2022)