Tribal Land Contracts

EUCI

Tribal Land Contracts

December 4, 2025 Online :: Central Time

During this one-day course, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique considerations in developing energy projects on tribal lands. The program will provide practical, actionable guidance on:

Tribal land leasing and ownership structures – Understanding lease options, ownership models, and governance processes
Land use planning and zoning – Aligning projects with cultural, environmental, and regulatory priorities
Negotiation and partnership strategies – Building strong, mutually beneficial relationships between tribes and energy developers
Regulatory and compliance requirements – Navigating permitting, environmental impact assessments, and oversight agencies
Sustainable energy development practices – Integrating long-term community, environmental, and economic goals
Case studies and lessons learned – Exploring real-world examples, legal considerations, and evolving policy landscapes

By combining technical expertise with strategic insights, this course will prepare participants to successfully address both challenges and opportunities in this specialized sector. Register now to gain a deeper understanding of the development process, an awareness of potential pitfalls, and the tools to foster collaborative, sustainable projects on tribal lands.

Learning Outcomes

Review the historical context and legal foundations of Tribal Sovereignty Land Ownership and identify key historical events and legal principles that have shaped tribal sovereignty and land ownership
Outline the federal laws that impact tribal land and energy development and analyze land lease options
Examine jurisdictional considerations in the context of tribal sovereignty and evaluate key negotiation strategies to build effective partnerships between tribes and energy developers
Evaluate the different types of tribal land ownership and their implications, significance, and challenges
Differentiate between trust land, allotted land, and fee land
Discuss land use planning and zoning considerations related to tribal land
Evaluate strategies for fostering positive collaborations between tribes and energy developers
Summarize regulatory requirements and permits related to environmental impact assessments and discuss strategies for mitigating environmental impact and promoting sustainability
Develop a comprehensive understanding of best practices for sustainable energy development in tribal contexts

Register

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

This event has passed and cannot be registered for. If you would like to see if this event will be offered again please reach out to [email protected]

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before October 31, 2025 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Agenda

Thursday, December 4, 2025
Central Time

Online

Log In and Welcome

8:45

Lunch Break

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Adjourn for the day

5:15 PM

8:45 - 9:00 AM

Log In and Welcome

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Lunch Break

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Overview of Energy Project Development and Tribal Lands

Begin with a foundational understanding of how tribal sovereignty shapes land rights, governance, and energy development opportunities. This session provides historical context, legal underpinnings, and an overview of the different types of tribal land.

Historical context and legal foundations
Tribal sovereignty and self-governance
Overview of tribal lands and their significance
Types of tribal land ownership: trust land, allotted land, fee land

Denten Robinson Tribal Energy Attorney

10:00 - 10:15 AM

Morning Break

10:15 - 11:45 AM

Legal & Regulatory Framework for Development on Tribal Lands with Case Studies

Explore the key laws and jurisdictional boundaries that impact energy development on tribal lands. Understand the legal constraints, responsibilities, and opportunities at the federal, tribal, and sometimes state levels.

Federal laws governing tribal land and energy development
Restrictions on the sale and encumbrance of Tribal lands under federal law
Jurisdictional considerations

Denten Robinson Tribal Energy Attorney

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Morning Q&A

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Leasing Tribal Land for Energy Projects: Issues & Considerations

Learn about the available leasing options, ownership models, and zoning considerations that influence how projects are planned and executed. Gain insights into aligning project designs with tribal priorities.

Land lease options for energy development
Ownership structures: individual vs. tribal ownership
Land use planning and zoning considerations
Key negotiation considerations
Building effective partnerships between tribes and energy developers

Verrin Kewenvoyouma Tribal Business Transaction Attorney

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Business & Ownership Structures for Tribal Energy Projects

Experience a clear, practical breakdown of business and ownership structures that most effectively support successful tribal energy projects. Learn how to balance sovereignty, investment needs, and long-term control to build sustainable, financeable energy enterprises on tribal lands.

Discover effective business structures for launching and scaling tribal energy projects
See how ownership models can unlock investments, reduce risks, and maximize long-term value for tribal nations
Understand the advantages of joint ventures, partnerships, and special-purpose entities tailored for tribal energy development
Explore how to leverage federal and state incentives through optimized business and ownership structures
Review real-world examples of successful tribal energy enterprises and the structures that propelled them.

Matt Ferguson Former DOE LPO/Tax Attorney

3:00 - 3:15 PM

Afternoon Break

3:15 - 4:15 PM

Project Development Under Current Federal Regulatory Framework

Stay informed on the latest legal developments and policy trends that could impact tribal energy projects. Understand how to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions.

Contemporary legal issues and challenges
Promoting sustainable development in Indian country in modern political climate
Opportunities and potential policy changes
Sustainability and renewable energy options
Cultural and community considerations

John Lewis Avant Energy

Rajat Malhotra Avant Energy

4:15 - 5:15 PM

Course Review and Q&A

Instructor

John Lewis

Managing Director of Native American Energy

Avant Energy

Mr. Lewis has been with Avant Energy since 2012 serving as Avant’s Managing Director of Native American Energy. In this role, Mr. Lewis brings over 15 years of infrastructure-related consulting experience to Avant’s Native American energy projects. Mr. Lewis has been directly involved with every Native American client engagement, overseeing a wide array of projects including tribal utility formation, renewable energy development, tribal organizational management, energy infrastructure development, and energy and utility related negotiations.

Mr. Lewis studied Civil & Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Mr. Lewis is an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona and a dedicated father. Mr. Lewis believes his experience as a consultant and serving as a Community Council-appointed official for his own Tribe has given him a deeper understanding of energy and infrastructure issues in Indian Country that few have.

Mr. Lewis has received national recognition over the years but believes the highlight was being chosen in 2014 to participate in the Department of Energy’s Quadrennial Energy Review to represent Native American energy interests.

Speakers

Denten Robinson

Tribal Energy Attorney

Verrin Kewenvoyouma

Tribal Business Transaction Attorney

Matt Ferguson

Former DOE LPO/Tax Attorney

John Lewis

Avant Energy

Rajat Malhotra

Avant Energy

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

AP_Logo

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.7 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations, interactive group exercise, and group discussion will be used during this course.

CPE

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 8.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

Cpe EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event. Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

Energy developers and project managers
Legal and regulatory professionals
Environmental and sustainability experts
Regulatory compliance personnel
Risk management specialists
Exploration and production managers
Land acquisition and leasing managers