ABA

“The Obstacles of Being a Native Law Student: How Attorneys Can Help Overcome These Obstacles” by Julia A. Giffin. Article here.

“While a board member of National NALSA during the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 terms, I received input from Native students across the country about the many obstacles impeding their paths while at law school. The more I spoke with Native classmates, friends, and fellow National NALSA members, the more it became clear that these obstacles were not unique to one or two institutions… There are several ways that current attorneys can aid law students in overcoming the obstacles faced by Native law students. One quick and nearly effortless way is to sign the (National NALSA) petition and pass it on to others in your network and your alma mater to raise awareness.”
“The Obstacles of Being a Native Law Student: How Attorneys Can Help Overcome These Obstacles” by Julia A. Giffin

Julia presented on this topic during the CLE “Being a Native Lawyer”, which is now available on-demand through the ABA here.

National NALSA petition here.

ABA SEER webinar on Researching Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law

August 6, 2019Monica Williamson

ABA’s Native American Resources Committee is sponsoring a webinar on Researching Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law. More information is available here.

Climate Justice Webinar: Municipal, Tribal, and Legal Action

January 15, 2019Monica Williamson

ABA’s Native American Resources Committee is sponsoring a webinar on climate justice, from the perspective of local actors driving change. More information is available here. Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET.

The Rights of Indian Children ABA Article

April 10, 2017Kate Fort

The Rights of Indian Children: Indian Child Welfare Act Regulations | Section of Litigation : Children’s Rights Litigation | Section of Litigation

The tribe I worked for decided to “bring the children home” through a focus on children in their community and ensuring resources to support that work. Many strategies were employed, depending on case specifics. Ensuring the tribal children were closer to home, both in proximity and culturally, was the goal. Some cases achieved the goal through reunification with the natural parents, others by placement within kinship care from stranger foster care. One of the primary practices was the transfer of cases to tribal court when the parents were amenable. In the end we brought all but one child back into tribal custody with an over 75 percent kinship placement rate.

Free CLE on Stand-Your-Ground Laws and Indian Country at ASU on Monday

January 20, 2017Ann Tweedy

Registration is at 2:30 and the event begins at 3 pm. The agenda is here, and more info. is here.

NNABA Press Release about the ABA Amendment to Include Tribal Court Practitioners

August 13, 2014Kate Fort

WWW.NATIVEAMERICANBAR.ORG
For Immediate Release, August 12, 2014
Contact: Mary L. Smith (202) 236-0339

NNABA APPLAUDS THE HISTORIC VOTE OF THE AMERICAN
BAR ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES TO RECOGNIZE
TRIBAL COURT PRACTITIONERS AS FULL MEMBERS
PHOENIX—The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) applauds the historic vote of the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates to amend the ABA Constitution to permit tribal court practitioners to be full members of the ABA. This August 11, 2014 vote of the House of Delegates was unanimous.

“We commend the ABA for recognizing that there are three sovereign court systems in the United States (federal, state and tribal) and for amending its constitution to permit tribal court practitioners – who are not currently eligible to be ABA members – to become full members of the ABA,” said Mary Smith, NNABA president. “This constitutional amendment will – at long last – put tribal court bar admissions on equal footing with the bars of states, territories and possessions of the United States.”

The ABA has made significant strides towards inclusion but there was a glaring injustice that needed to be corrected – full membership for American citizens who happen to be licensed through a tribal court as opposed to a state, federal or territorial bar. Under previous policy, anyone licensed in a state, federal or territorial jurisdiction within the United States could join the ABA as a full member with all rights and responsibilities. That policy did not extend to those who are licensed through a tribal court of a federally recognized tribe. Thus, there was a class of persons who were denied the opportunity for full membership because they practiced solely in a tribal court. As a policy decision, the ABA had previously extended the opportunity for full membership to lawyers who practice in Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The same inclusive policy now applies to individuals practicing before tribal courts within the United States.

Founded in 1973, NNABA serves as the national association for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian attorneys, judges, law professors and law students. NNABA strives for justice and effective legal representation for all American indigenous peoples; fosters the development of Native American lawyers and judges; and addresses social, cultural and legal issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
For more information contact 480-727-0420 or visit http://www.nativeamericanbar.org.

ABA approves resolution to strengthen tribal jurisdiction

August 8, 2012August 8, 2012Ann Tweedy1 Comment

I heard from a listserv that the ABA has approved a resolution to strengthen tribal jurisdiction specifically over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence and that the resolution also urges that the reauthorization of VAWA include the tribal jurisdiction provisions.

While I was not able to find the text of the resolution on the ABA website, I did find this list of additional and late resolutions on the ABA site (see bottom of page): 2012_hod_annual_meeting_late_resolutions.authcheckdam