In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, get to know Federal Regulatory and Compliance associates Catelin Aiwohi and Mitchell Forbes, who share the inspirations and challenges that shape their careers. From advocating for Indigenous rights to supporting Native-owned businesses, their stories highlight meaningful ways we can engage with and support Native communities.

1. Introduce yourself.

Catelin Aiwohi: My name is Catelin Kawahinekoa Aiwohi, and I am Native Hawaiian from Wailuku, Maui. I was raised on the Paukūkalo Hawaiian Homestead, part of the 200,000 acres of land set aside by the United States in 1921 (through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act) for the rehabilitation of Native Hawaiians.  

Mitchell Forbes: My name is Mitchell Forbes. I joined Dentons’ Native American Law and Policy group after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. I grew up in rural Alaska, and I am a member of the Native Village of Shishmaref, located on Alaska’s northwest coast. I grew up in Bethel, Alaska, and worked there before attending law school. While in Bethel, I served a term on the city council and volunteered as an EMT/Firefighter.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in Native American Law and Policy?

Aiwohi: My career path was largely shaped by the vision and legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. During her lifetime, Princess Pauahi witnessed the rapid decline of the Native Hawaiian population, along with the loss of Hawaiian language, culture and traditions. She believed that education was essential to the survival of her people and left her estate to found Kamehameha Schools (KS), which provides high quality educational opportunities to Native Hawaiian children. As a young student at KS, I learned a great deal about our benefactor and her leadership. Princess Pauahi was known to actively listen and engage with her people, and she counseled them regularly in the most humble of ways – seated under her favorite tamarind tree in front of her home. She found this an effective way to maintain connection with the citizenry and to gain an understanding of the challenges they faced. In this way, she was able to identify and respond to their needs as best as she could. During those formative years attending KS, it was instilled in us students the expectation to serve our community, and to perpetuate Princess Pauahi’s legacy by applying our education and skills to benefit Hawaiʻi and the larger world. It is her legacy and example that ultimately inspired me to enter the legal field, and to represent indigenous communities.

3. How has your understanding of your heritage evolved since joining Dentons?

Forbes: My heritage has helped me find personal and professional fulfillment in my work at Dentons. Each day, I am so excited to get to work on behalf of our tribal clients to help them accomplish their goals. When I set out to go to law school, this was very much the type of work I wanted to do, and I am so happy to be a part of the Native American Law and Policy team at Dentons.

4. What are some of the most significant challenges or opportunities you've encountered while working in Native American Law and Policy, and how have they shaped your approach to your practice?

Aiwohi: Our clients confront increasingly nuanced challenges, which often stem from their special legal and political status—American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians exercised sovereign governing authority prior to the formation of the United States, and they have a resulting trust relationship with the United States that is codified and reaffirmed in hundreds of federal laws. Although Native programs and preferences are political rather than racial as a matter of law, they are still subjected to equal protection challenges on a regular basis. As a result, our advocacy must be highly strategic and often requires a holistic approach that takes into account many varying factors.

5. Have there been any recent legal changes or cases that have particularly impacted your approach to Native American law and policy?

Forbes: The Department of Interior being led by Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to do so, has been huge. Under her leadership, the Department has worked to become more responsive to the modern-day needs of tribal governments across the country. Her lived experience has certainly helped shaped how she and the rest of the staff at the Department approach Native American affairs.

6. Tell us about a memorable matter you've worked on that had a positive impact on Native American communities or Tribal nations.

Aiwohi: Earlier this year, our Native American Law and Policy (NALP) team secured a significant victory on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, as the Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari seeking to overturn a First Circuit decision favorable to the Tribe. This marked the capstone in a string of victories in multiple federal courts upholding a determination by the Secretary of the Interior to accept land in trust for the Tribe.

7. How do you see Native American cultural values influencing the legal profession?

Forbes: While every Native American tribe has its own culture and set of values and traditions, one that I have seen to be nearly universal is respect for those who came before you. Knowledge and tradition are powerful tools, and all attorneys certainly benefit from the experience of people who have been working in the field longer than they have. I know I certainly benefit from the experience of attorneys and staff I work with.

8. What do you believe are the most pressing legal and policy issues currently facing Native American communities, and how does your practice address these challenges?

Aiwohi: One of the most pressing issues for Native American communities is the severe lack of resources to support adequate healthcare, education, infrastructure and public safety. Federal programs designed to support the wellbeing of Native peoples are chronically underfunded, which contributes to the stark inequities observed in tribal populations. Our practice directly helps to address these challenges through monitoring and evaluating federal grant funding opportunities, working with tribes to develop congressional earmark requests for funding to support important community projects and lobbying to advance tribal funding priorities in Congress and with relevant federal agencies.

9. Have you had mentors who have influenced your career path within Native American law?

Forbes: The entire Native American Law and Policy team has provided such great mentorship since I joined the firm. They all have such a wealth of experience across many facets of Indian Country. Our clients have such varied needs and priorities, so every matter I work on with the rest of the team provides new learning opportunities. I am grateful that my practice group has been so welcoming and willing to help me learn.

10. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, do you have any recommendations for individuals or organizations looking to better support and engage with Native American communities or deepen their understanding of Native American legal and policy issues?

Aiwohi: Support Indigenous businesses this holiday season and be on the lookout for our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, which will feature Indigenous-owned brands and sites where you can browse their merchandise online. In addition, join our Native American Affinity Group’s event on November 19, 2024, to commemorate Native American Heritage Month with Sean Sherman, a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe and an award-winning chef, educator, author and activist.

11. What advice would you give to young Native American lawyers just starting out in the legal profession?

Forbes: Law can be an intimidating field, especially if (like me) you do not have any lawyers in your family. Building your network while in law school, or even while you are applying to law school, can go a long way in helping you understand some of the unspoken intricacies of our profession. Professional and student organizations, like the National Native American Bar Association and the National Native American Law Students Association, provide great opportunities to connect with Native American attorneys.

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