NATIVE AMERICAN LAW PROGRAM
Created to educate Indian Country’s next generation of advocates, entrepreneurs, and policy makers. The University of Idaho Native American Law (NAL) Program was created to educate Indian Country’s next generation of advocates, entrepreneurs, and policy makers. The roots of the program lie with its curricular offerings focused on providing interested law students with a strong foundation in the interrelationship between tribal, federal, and state laws affecting tribal nations and people. The overview course, Native American Law introduces students to the foundations of Tribal civil jurisdiction, sovereignty, and natural resource management. Other courses focus on natural resources law, Tribal nation economics, and family law. The NAL Program works closely with regional tribes throughout the Northwest to ensure that the course work and experiences students have remain relevant to legal issues occurring in Indian Country. The NAL Program provides
students with one-of-a-kind opportunities to experience practicing law with or on behalf of Native nations. Students are placed in internships with tribal governments, courts, private law firms, federal agencies and other organizations that support tribal nations. Law students work in collaboration with regional tribal communities on specific projects designed to provide real-world experiences for future lawyers. The University of Idaho College of Law has an ongoing commitment to educating students in Native American law and encouraging Native Americans to enter the field of law. One measure of that support is the Tribal Homelands Scholarship program. Enrolled members of a federally recognized Indian tribe qualify for a scholarship in the amount of $10,000.00 per year, reducing the cost of attaining a legal education.
For more information on any of these programs please visit uidaho.edu/law/academics/emphasis-area/native-american-law
The University of Idaho College of Law has an ongoing commitment to educating students in Native American law
Program Emphasis The NAL Program emphasis is based on a rigorous curriculum in Native American Law. Students seeking to earn the emphasis designation must complete program requirements including the completion of required course work, submission of a research paper on an area of Native American Law, and completion of 20 hours of work through an externship, internship, pro bono hours, clinical legal education experience, or other experience involving the application of Native American law. The emphasis areas are focused on providing law students with a strong foundation in the interrelationship between the tribal, federal laws affecting tribal nations and people. Students may opt for one of the following available tracks: Tribal Nation Economics and Law provides an in-depth look at the laws and policies affecting tribal economic development, including, among other topics, tribal civil jurisdiction, on-reservation taxation, the development of tribal enterprises, tribal gaming, and tribal energy development. Native American Natural Resources Law focuses specifically on environmental issues that arise on Indian reservations, specifically on tribal treaty rights, hunting, fishing and gathering rights, water rights, civil and regulatory jurisdictions, protection of tribal lands cultural resources preservation laws, and tribal implementation of federal environmental laws. Family Relations in Indian Country examines the interrelationship between tribal, state, and federal law related to tribal families and domestic relations. The core of this emphasis are three federal laws: The Indian Child Welfare Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the American Indian Probate Reform Act.
Additional Opportunities Native American Law Emphasis Summer Externship program places students with regional tribal court judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and in-house tribal legal department attorneys. University of Idaho Indian Estate Planning Project participants are paired with Indian tribes throughout the region to work with tribal members to draft wills and other estate planning documents. Native American Law Student Association (NALSA), a student organization is dedicated to the education and support of Native American law students and students interested in Native American Law. NALSA is committed to providing networking opportunities to its members, engaging in community events and activities, and participating in the National NALSA Moot Court Competition.
For more information: University of Idaho College of Law Office of Admissions 208-885-2300
lawadmit@uidaho.edu uidaho.edu/law