Holland & Knight Attorney Kimberlee Dunlop Successfully Negotiates Agreement Between Seneca Nation of Indians and the Department of Homeland Security for Enhanced Tribal Cards
September 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – September 21, 2009 – Holland & Knight is pleased to announce that attorney Kimberlee Dunlop successfully assisted the Seneca Nations of Indians (Seneca Nation) in negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC). The MOA was signed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr., at a ceremony at Liberty Park in Niagara Falls, NY on Sept. 10, 2009.
The MOA allows the Seneca Nation to establish an ETC that will provide identity, tribal membership and citizenship for the purpose of entering the U.S. by land or sea. The Seneca Nation is just the third tribe in the country, and the first Eastern Region tribe, to sign such an agreement with the CBP.
Dunlop spearheaded the negotiations between the CBP and Seneca Nation as well as drafted the MOA ensuring the Seneca Nation’s Jay Treaty Rights were protected. Throughout the negotiation process she worked as a liaison between the Seneca Nation’s Tribal Council and the CBP. She will continue working to assist the Seneca Nation in finding a vendor to produce an ETC.
Dunlop is part of Holland & Knight’s Indian Law practice group. She is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and is experienced in representing tribal governments and other entities in a wide variety of matters, including health, contracts, energy, litigation, environmental issues, land into trust, sacred sites, gaming, Federal agencies and non-profit organization. Dunlop's practice also involves Congressional and federal representation for tribal clients, including drafting legislation and testimony before Congress and federal appropriations.
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