Native Nations Law & Policy Center

April 2022 Newsletter

Bozho,

Congratulations to all the students who are nearing completion of the 2021-2022 school year. The NNLPC is honored to have been part of this year’s journey, including our long-overdue in-person gathering at Sandia Pueblo for the Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference. We are greatly looking forward to celebrating graduation next month. In the meantime, best of luck with finals.

We are thrilled with the recent news of the University of California covering tuition for students from federally recognized tribes and The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria's announcement of their scholarship fund for students to attend UC schools from non-federally recognized tribes. This is an incredible step towards enhancing the pipeline of future Native scholars, professionals, and warriors. We are so excited to see what's next!

Megwetch,

Angela R. Riley (Citizen Potawatomi Nation)

Professor of Law and Director, Native Nations Law and Policy Center

Fed- Bar Indian Law Conference

The Native Nations Law and Policy Center, Tribal Legal Development Clinic, and UCLA NALSA students attended the Fed-Bar Indian Law Conference in Albuquerque, NM, April 7 - April 8, 2022.

We hosted an alumni reception at the conference for our current students, alumni students, TLDC clients, and friends of NNLPC where we honored Lauren van Schilfgaarde as Alumna of the Year (more info below).

Alumna of the Year (times 2!)

TLDC Director, Lauren van Schilfgaarde was honored by the Native Nations Law and Policy Center as their Alumna of the Year. This distinguished award is given to an alumnus who has excelled in leadership and service to the Native community.

Lauren was also awarded Alumna of the Year by the National Native American Law Student Association as their Alumna of the Year! "NNALSA recognizes an alumnus who regularly supports Native law students, embodies the NNALSA Mission, and is a zealous advocate for Indian Country."

Graton Rancheria Scholarship Fund

After it was announced that the University of California will provide free tuition to California residents from federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes, The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria announced a $2.5 million scholarship fund, "which will cover tuition and mandatory fees both for non federally recognized California Native American UC students along with any added needed support for those from federally recognized tribes." The tribe hopes to "level the playing field and provide representation in higher education for all California Native American students."

In 2020, The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria donated $15 million to the Native Nations Law and Policy Center to create the Graton Scholars program, which will fund students for all 3 years of law school at UCLA School of Law. We welcomed our first cohort of 3 students in 2021.

NNLPC NEWS

NNLPC Director Professor Angela R. Riley will be a speaker at an upcoming webinar on the United Nations, "Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the U.S.", part of a series by The Implementation Project, led by the University of Colorado Law School (Colorado Law) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).

Kori Cordero '17, Associate General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe was a panelist at UCLA School of Law William's Institute event "Indigenous LGBTQ+ People: Disparities and Data Justice". Watch the video HERE

NNLPC Director Professor Angela R. Riley will be a speaker at the University of Buffalo's DSSN Symposium: “Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Digital Archives” where she will discuss managing access to digital materials documenting Indigenous cultural and linguistic practices.

TLDC Director, Lauren van Schilfgaarde was a panelist at the ABA Dispute Resolution Section 2022 Virtual Joint Spring Conference, the panel she spoke on was " A New Federal Consultation Process with Indigenous Communities".

Tribal Legal Development Clinic

The Tribal Legal Development Clinic is working with the Red Lake Nation this semester. The Clinic is engaged in two justice projects. First, the Clinic is helping to research and draft restorative justice alternatives, including a modified civil commitment process. Second, the Clinic is researching and drafting updates to the domestic violence code.

The Clinic is immensely grateful to our Clients and attorney liaisons who have contributed significant guidance and mentorship in our work.

EVENTS

Please join us for our Spring Speakers Series as we engage Indian country on cutting-edge issues in the field.

More information will be forthcoming!

Watch recordings of past events HERE

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