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Increasing Native American Representation in Law School

Learn about the Tribal Justice Project's mission to provide culturally relevant training and assistance to tribal courts, create an Indian Law Program, and increase Native American representation in law schools. Discover the practical realities, strengths, goals, and outcomes of the program, as well as opportunities for students, alumni, and the community to get involved.

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Increasing Native American Representation in Law School

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  1. Increasing Native American Representation in Law School The Tribal Justice Project

  2. Tribal Justice Project - Background The Vision

  3. My Journey to Law School • Bullard High School in Fresno CA • Father is an attorney and UC Davis Law Grad (so not first gen law student) • UCLA at 17 (fall birthday) • American Indian Student Association • Bruin NOW • Alpha Phi (yes a sorority) • RAIN! Retention of American Indians Now! • BA in Sociology and Women's Studies (took zero Native American Studies classes) • ASU Indian Legal Program

  4. Motivation meets Opportunity • California Indian Law Association’s First meeting in 2000 • Raised the Idea of Creating an Indian Law Program in CA inspired by UNM and ASU style programs. • At that time, the UCLA joint Degree (JD/MA in American Indian Studies) was considered enough to fill the space. • March of 2018, UC Davis launches the Tribal Justice Project • The Indian Law Program envisioned 18 years ago, finds a home…

  5. Tribal Justice Project • Housed at UC Davis Law School • Under the Aioki Center for Critical Race and Nation Studies • Objectives: • To provide culturally relevant training and assistance to PL-280/CA tribal courts • To create an Indian Law Program for Native Students and those students wanting to pursue the study and practice of Indian Law

  6. Practical Realities Strengths and direction

  7. Strengths at UC Davis Law School (pre-TJP) • Aioki Center • Professor Mary Louise Frampton • Support Staff from Center, law fellow, assistant • Indian Law Professor • Professor Kathrine Florey • Loves teaching, researching and writing about Indian Law • Supportive Dean • Dean Kevin Johnson • Campus Programs • Native American Studies Program • Undergrad Native American Retention and Recruitment Program; “Native Nest”

  8. Goals at UC Davis Law School (pre-TJP) • Re-Activate Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) Chapter • Increase Federal Indian Law course offerings • FIL only taught every other year • No other, regular Indian Law offerings • Create Pre-Law Program • Form official connection across campus to the undergrad and other graduate programs • Provide Opportunities for Practical Application of Indian Law

  9. Creating the Indian Law Program What came first the chicken or the egg?

  10. Post-TJP Launch (March 2018) Goals Outcomes Two Courses a Year Now Offered FIL offered annually Added new course – Tribal Justice Creating Pre-Law Program by Partnering with Native Nest and American Indian Studies Hiring Students to assist in providing technical assistance to Tribal Courts • Increase Federal Indian Law course offerings • Create Pre-Law Program • Provide Opportunities for Practical Application of Indian Law

  11. NALSA Chapter • What came first… • Need to recruit Native American Law Students • Challenges for Prospective Students (covered already) • How many law schools in CA have one? • Benefits of a NALSA Chapter • Leveraging Alumni Support

  12. You Matter Yes you, if you are here in the room, you have an important role to play

  13. Opportunity = Responsibility • Did you attend college and or law school? • Is there a Pre-law Program there now for native students? • Is there a NALSA chapter? • Where do you live? • Is there a community college there you could go to and speak about your career? • Is there an elementary school, middle school, high school? • Are there any Tribes around you? Offer to help, don’t wait to be invited, offer.

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