Today marks the annual celebration of Native American Heritage Day. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared November as Native American Heritage Month. For 32 years, this commemorative month has aimed to serve as a platform for Indigenous Peoples in the United States to elevate their cultures, perspectives, and the contemporary issues they continue to face. Native American Heritage Month, and all heritage months, often attract both admiration and criticism for a wide range of valid reasons.
Here at Colorado Law, we are committed to education and advocacy in Indigenous Peoples’ Law. We believe this month, and all months, serve as excellent opportunities for us to further engage with and learn more about the histories and contemporary lives of Indigenous Peoples.
Learn more about how Colorado Law lives this commitment here:
American Indian Law Program
Our American Indian Law Program (AILP) offers a full slate of doctrinal and clinical classes to prepare students for tribal, federal, and international law practice. Our approach to American Indian Law is deeply grounded in Indian Country and in Indigenous communities throughout the world, with our students, faculty, and staff working closely with tribal governments in the United States. The AILP is also active at the United Nations, where we work to advance Indigenous Peoples’ human rights through The Implementation Project. Read the AILP’s most recent newsletter here.
Native American Law Students Association
In addition to the AILP, our Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) is extremely active, with recent top finishes at the National NALSA Moot Court Competition, an annual Fall Harvest Feast, and other educational and social events throughout the year.
“NALSA is actively working to promote understanding of Native issues and to advocate for greater visibility and inclusion with events like Fall Harvest and Careers in Indian Law,” Jenny Jones ‘25, NALSA Vice President shared. “If students want to take concrete steps to support Indigenous peoples, a great first step is to learn about Indigenous history and issues, and to ask how what they’re learning in class impacts Indigenous peoples, because there’s no area of US law that Federal Indian law doesn’t intersect with. And as they’re considering what they’re thankful for on Thanksgiving, to include gratitude for our Mother Earth, whose gifts make everything else we have possible.”
NALSA President Hannah Ahders ’25 also encouraged students to take an American Indian law course, even if they don’t intend to practice in the field.
“I think it gives law students a fuller picture of the US legal landscape,” Ahders explained. “Students should also feel free to ask all of their teachers to include at least one case on Indian law during the semester, for similar reasons. Beyond that, I hope students take an opportunity to care for themselves and others this month. This action aligns with my Indigenous cultural values and values of many other tribes. I think caring for ourselves and being of service to others can cultivate a collective healing from historical and modern colonization.”
Below you will find just a few resources you can use to further your understanding of the traditions, languages, and histories of Native peoples, as well as some ways to engage with and support Indigenous Peoples in Colorado today:
- Native American Rights Fund- NARF provides free legal assistance to tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide.
- National Museum of the American Indian – NMAI provides teaching resources that aim to lead students to new knowledge about Native Americans as historical and contemporary people with diverse cultures and roles.
- First Nations – A nonprofit based in both Colorado and New Mexico, First Nations works to strengthen American Indian Economies. Visit their learning resources -- including webinars, data reports, and other publications--in this knowledge center.
- Spirit of the Sun – This Indigenous, women-Led organization is based in Denver and dedicated to developing new opportunities for tribes and Native American Individuals. Learn more about their work and how you can volunteer, advocate, and stay informed.
- Denver Indian Family Resource Center- DIFRC is a direct service organization dedicated to supporting American Indian/Alaska Native families in the child welfare system. Stay informed and get involved with their work.