October 17, 2024

ASU Law’s Indian Legal Program leads the nation in empowering Indigenous futures through student and alumni impact

The Indian Legal Program (ILP) at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is one of the most respected Indian law programs in the nation because of its long-standing commitment to advancing Native American legal issues, its distinguished faculty who are leaders in the field and its unique combination of rigorous academic training and hands-on experiential opportunities that empower students to advocate for Indigenous rights.

The program is ideally situated for students eager to explore the evolving field of Indian law. It holds partnerships across Indian Country and within the local Phoenix area with Tribal nations and organizations. The program offers an Indian Law Certificate available to JD students and concentrations across all degree programs in Indian Law, Tribal Self-Governance, Federal Indian Law, Tribal Policy, Law and Government.

Since the ILP was established in 1988, students have graduated from the program, offering positive contributions to help Native communities during their time as law students and beyond.

Current third-year JD ILP students Sadie Red Eagle and Shandiin Herrera learned about the program while participating in the Pathway to Law Initiative.

Herrera served as president of the ASU Law chapter for the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) during her second year, where she hosted monthly meetings and brown bag lunches with local Indian law attorneys. She also planned professional development events and provided weekly updates on school, job and volunteer opportunities. This year, she is co-lead of the Indian Legal Clinic’s Arizona Native Vote Election Protect Project, acting as the point of contact for voter registration and election protection questions while advocating for the project, actively recruiting volunteers and preparing materials for Election Day. This project started in 2008 after Native Americans were disproportionately disenfranchised by Arizona Proposition 200, Arizona’s voter identification law, and strives to protect the right to vote for Native American voters.

Red Eagle was vice president of ASU Law’s NALSA during her second year. There, she helped lead fundraising efforts to send select students to the Federal Bar Association’s Indian Law Conference held every spring. With this, Red Eagle helped organize over 70 donations for a silent auction and raised more than $12,000. She is also a co-lead of the Native vote project, alongside Herrera.

“I try to foster and create change in the Indian Legal Program by being an active participant and taking on projects for the benefit of our Indian law students and faculty,” said Red Eagle.

The accomplishments of both students in the ILP demonstrate their passion and dedication to making a difference in Native communities through leadership, advocacy and fostering invaluable connections. 

“It is a privilege to be at the best Indian Legal Program in the country, working with local Tribes and training alongside Indian Country’s future attorneys,” expressed Herrera. “I bring a positive attitude and energy to every project we have going on.”

The work of the ILP helps students grow as attorneys, and the knowledge and experiences follow graduates beyond their time at the school.

2019 graduate Torey Dolan helped the ILP create a fellowship program so she could work on voting rights issues full time upon graduation. She was the first Native Vote fellow at the ILP and has since built a career focused on studying the intersection of federal Indian law and election law.

“You may only be a student in the ILP for a few years, but if you invest in the community there and keep in touch, it can pay off for the rest of your career,” explained Dolan. “The faculty and staff of the ILP are so generous with their time for students and alumni; they really want to support you. I consider everyone that works in the ASU Law ILP to be a friend and mentor.”

Dolan said she plans to be in Arizona on Election Day to help the ILP with the Native Vote Election Protection Project.

Written by Crystal Jimenez