The 2nd Annual Indian Law & History Lecture will explore the Doctrine of Discovery, a millennia old legal principle, which forms the foundation for Western property law and was first espoused by the Pope as justification for the Christian Crusades. Following the Crusades, the Doctrine of Discovery was relied upon by various European nation-states as a legal justification for colonization of the Americas. In particular, this lecture will feature Professor Rebecca Tsosie, of University of Arizona Law School, and Professor Darren Ranco, of University of Maine-Orono, who will explore the underpinnings of the Doctrine of Discovery in American jurisprudence and will reflect on how the doctrine was implemented or, rather, ignored in the place now known as the State of Maine.
This lecture will be moderated by Michael-Corey Hinton of Drummond Woodsum. Co-sponsored with the University of Maine School of Law, Bernstein Shur, Drummond Woodsum, the League of Conservation Voters, the Leadership Conference Education Fund, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and Conservation Law Foundation. Register here. Note: This event is being offered in-person and online.