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Vol. 74, No. 2, February 2001
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Laverdure helps advance technology in
Indian Country
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Laverdure
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Donald E. Laverdure, U.W. 1999, of von Briesen, Purtell & Roper
S.C., Milwaukee, participated in the White House Initiative on Tribal
Colleges & Universities, a part of President Clinton's technology effort.
The initiative explored national solutions to the "digital divide" faced
by American Indians throughout the country.
Laverdure was selected as one of approximately 103 participants in "The
Circle of Prosperity: Tribal College Technology Prosperity Game," in San
Francisco, the first phase of the initiative that crafted a national framework
for technological advancement among American Indian tribal colleges and
tribes. Laverdure then was selected to participate in the smaller group
that continued the process in Albuquerque. The final recommendations will
be presented to the Bush administration for approval.
"The new policy will allow tribal colleges and Indian tribes to make
decisions at the local level, based on their particular needs, and will
likely include advanced technology such as telemedicine and distance learning,"
Laverdure said.
There are approximately 33 tribal colleges and universities in the U.S.,
and two are in Wisconsin: the Tribal College of the Menomonee Nation,
Keshena; and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Hayward.
Laverdure practices Indian law and focuses in transactional matters
for Indian tribes. He is secretary-treasurer of the State Bar's Indian
Law Section and the American Indian liaison to the Board of Governors
for 2000-01. He is an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe, and has an affiliation
with the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, both of Montana.
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