A $5,000 donation made by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will allow students from the Native Law program to attend a conference for the first time.
“In the spirit of supporting students and education, the donation will make it possible for eight of our Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) students to attend the oldest and largest Indian Law conference in the country organized by the Federal Bar Association,” said Angelique EagleWoman, associate professor of law. “The donation by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is the first direct tribal donation to the law school. The Native Law program has been building partnerships with the area tribes and this was a wonderful recognition of the value the program is adding to the state, regional and tribal communities.”
Tribal Chairman Chief J. Allan said the donation occurred because the tribe is impressed with the UI College of Law and its commitment to developing a Native American Law Program.
“Professor Angelique EagleWoman has done a wonderful job starting this program and getting it running and we hope it will continue to flourish,” Allan said.
The conference, held in New Mexico, will allow the attending eight students to network with other NALSA chapters, take part in a job fair and hear presentations from experts in the field, EagleWoman said. The conference is scheduled for March and will focus on Tribal Courts.
In addition to the donation, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is also working with the Native Law program to develop an externship program.
“This summer for the first time the Native Law program will offer academic credit for law students doing legal work with the area tribal legal departments and courts,” EagleWoman said. “This opportunity will give those participating hands-on legal experience and an advantage when they graduate and seek employment.”
Allan said the tribe plans to host four positions placing students in the Tribal Court system and other tribal departments.
The money will also help support the annual Native Law Conference. EagleWoman said the conference is free and open to the public.
“The reach of the program is broad in that sense and adds to the entire campus,” EagleWoman said. “Within the law school, the NALSA is involved in putting on speakers, conducting gift drives and encouraging others to pursue law degrees from area tribal communities.”
Remaining funds will be used to underwrite publication costs associated with Native Law student recruitment brochures.