The Cheyenne River Youth Project® has announced that the vice president of its board of directors has won the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s prestigious “Native American 40 Under 40” award. This special award recognizes those emerging Native American, Alaska Native and First Nation citizens between 18 and 39 years of age who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve significant contributions to Native communities throughout North America.
“I’m very proud to accept this award on behalf of my tribe,” Patterson said. “I would like to thank my family; my law firm, Fredericks Peebles & Morgan; and the Cheyenne River Youth Project for their continued support and opportunities to serve native communities for the collective betterment of our people.”
An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Jeremy Patterson is the son of Andrea DuBray Patterson, eldest sister to Louis, LeRoy, Elroy and Fred DuBray and Lynn LeCompte. He received his undergraduate degree from Black Hills State University, his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and a Master of Law (LLM) degree in American Indian and Indigenous Law from the University of Tulsa.
He currently serves as a partner in the Louisville, Colorado, office of Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP, where his practice focuses on tribal government representation and economic development. Mr. Patterson has represented tribes, as both general and special counsel, in a broad range of areas of federal Indian law, including the revision of tribal constitutions, drafting tribal codes and ordinances, federal recognition, fee-to-trust applications, tax planning, housing issues, management of water resources and water rights settlement claims.
Patterson has worked extensively in assisting tribes with energy development projects, including renewable energy development, oil and gas leases and exploration and development agreements, midstream projects, and other permitting and regulatory compliance matters. He also has represented tribal nonprofit organizations, corporations and individual clients on business planning, corporate governance, tribal election disputes, controversy matters, probate administration, employment litigation and allottee compensation claims.
Prior to joining the firm in 2006, Patterson worked for both the Native American Rights Fund and the Native American Program of Oregon Legal Services, providing legal services to tribes on issues relating to tribal cultural preservation and natural resource development.
The 2013 Native American 40 Under 40 Awards will be presented at NCAIED’s 38th Annual Indian Progress In Business Awards Gala (INPRO) being held October 24 at RES Arizona, at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. The INPRO Awards Gala is the longest- standing and most prestigious Native American recognition event in the nation.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.