NE North Dakota News

For Erica Thunder, a UND School of Law alumna, the journey from UND has been dedicated to service with tribal nations and state government. Thunder, North Dakota’s first Native American labor commissioner and the 2022 North Dakota Woman of the Year according to USA Today, returned to campus to share insights on finding purpose and connections amidst discussions on tribal law and cybersecurity.

As a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, Thunder addressed law students at the UND School of Law, emphasizing the importance of her educational experience in shaping her career. She noted, “Without my time at the Tribal Judicial Institute, I wouldn’t have worked with so many different tribes.”

Initially inclined towards contract and regulatory law, Thunder found her calling in child welfare through her exposure at UND. “I always felt like it was going to hit too close to home,” Thunder said, yet her shift towards child welfare law proved transformative both personally and professionally.

Her career, spanning roles from an attorney for the MHA Nation to leading the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, focused on fostering government and community partnerships. Thunder highlighted the critical role of partnership: “Partnership has always been central to our survival as tribal nations.”

Memorandums of understanding have been instrumental in bridging jurisdictional gaps, particularly in public safety and child protection, demonstrating a move towards collaboration and trust. “It turned out to be a win-win-win for everyone,” Thunder remarked about a specific agreement with the MHA Nation.

An essential theme in Thunder's presentation was the integration of cybersecurity into modern governance. She urged students to consider sovereignty beyond traditional realms, encompassing digital infrastructure and data governance: “We can’t talk about modern governance without understanding that protecting our networks, our digital footprints, is just as critical as protecting our land and our people.”

Currently serving as a senior associate at IT consulting firm K.L. Scott and Associates, Thunder explained the growing role of legal professionals in data protection. Emphasizing the significance of cybersecurity, she stated, “Protecting our digital footprints is just as critical as protecting our land.”

Thunder encouraged UND students to pursue their paths with integrity, underscoring the evolving responsibility of sovereign governance. Reminding them of the ongoing duty towards sovereignty, she concluded, “None of this is a cultural artifact. This is a governance strategy which I’ve seen be extremely effective time and time again.”