From CLE Idea to Community Gathering: Reflections on an Unforgettable Webinar

What began as a fairly modest idea turned into something far bigger, and far more meaningful, than we could have imagined.

When Lydia and I first started planning Beyond Federal Recognition: What Comes Next for the People of the Dark Water, the concept was straightforward. It was designed as a CLE program for lawyers interested in Federal Indian Law and tribal recognition issues. The goal was educational, practical, and firmly within familiar territory for us. 

As planning unfolded, however, we paused and asked ourselves a simple question: Who most needs this information right now?

That moment changed everything.

Instead of centering the event solely around attorneys, we made a conscious decision to reshape it for tribal citizens. We wanted the information to be accessible, empowering, and rooted in community rather than legal theory alone. Making that shift felt right, even though it came with some uncertainty.

What happened next left us both humbled and deeply grateful.

We reached out to respected practitioners and professionals with experience working in Indian Country to serve as panelists. Each one was eager to participate in the webinar and was a “Lum” with deep roots in Robeson County. Arlinda Locklear, Dr. Danielle Hiraldo, A.C. Locklear, and Jody Cummings all brought something special to the table and we are so glad to have been able to provide a space for this exchange of information.

Chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, John Lowery, also accepted our invitation to participate in the event. His willingness to engage directly with the community was both exciting and affirming. It reinforced the importance of creating spaces where leadership, lived experience, and legal context can come together in a respectful and open way.

At the outset, we hoped that maybe 300 people would attend, which felt like a strong showing for our first webinar. However, more than 600 people attended the live webinar, doubling our original goal! Since then, the recording has gone on to receive hundreds of additional views on YouTube, allowing the conversation to continue well beyond the live event. Seeing the conversations across social media platforms, reading thoughtful questions, and hearing from attendees reminded us why this work matters so much.

We are sincerely thankful to everyone who attended live, watched the recording, shared the event with others, and trusted us with their time. This experience reaffirmed something we now hold close: there is a strong and growing need for clear, honest conversations about tribal sovereignty, federal recognition, and what these developments mean for tribal citizens and families.

Amber Holland and Lydia Locklear Canty attend the 2026 Lumbee Tribal Council Inauguration

Looking ahead, this will not be a one-time conversation.

We hope to host future webinars that focus more deeply on specific topics, including the legal and policy implications of federal recognition, governance, economic development, healthcare, education, and more. Our goal is to continue creating spaces that are informative, respectful, and centered on the needs of tribal communities.

Thank you for showing up, for listening, and for reminding us why community-centered work matters. We are excited for what lies ahead and honored to continue this work through Current Tribal Law & Policy, PLLC.

We are looking forward to continuing to engage with the communities we were raised in and continue to be a part of at upcoming conferences. Current Tribal Law & Policy, PLLC will be presenting at the 2026 Unity Conference in Raleigh, NC and the 2026 Linda E. Oxendine Southeast Native Studies Conference at UNC Pembroke. We can’t wait to present and have discussions on the intersection of the law with Indigenous communities!