By Dorothy Alther, CILS Legal Director If you are a California Native American chances are you have heard of Public Law 280 (PL 280) at some point in your life. But what does PL 280 really mean to you, to your tribe, and California tribal communities? The following is a short introduction and overview of PL 280. Some Basics.  As a general matter jurisdiction on Indian reservations cross the country  is confusing and complex.  PL 280 adds another layer to this complexity and confusion but are some of the basics that will help with your understanding of how PL 280 fits within the ..read more

By Dorothy Alther, CILS Legal Director The U.S. Supreme Court issued three Indian law decision in 2023 that upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), waived tribal immunity under the Bankruptcy Code and ended the term with once again narrowing the enforceability of the trust responsibilities the federal government owes tribes and Native Americans. Overall, 2023 could have been better for tribes but could have been much worse. 1. Haaland v. Brackeen, 599 U.S. 255, 143 S. Ct. 1609, 216 L. Ed. 2d 254 (2023). The most anticipated case before the Supreme Court in 2023 was Haaland v. Brackeen, 59 ..read more

As we enter the season of giving, we hope you consider California Indian Legal Services when making your charitable contributions. Since 1967, CILS has been at the forefront of protecting the rights of tribes and tribal peoples through its expertise in federal Indian law. Your donation to CILS will help us get closer to fulfilling our vision of ensuring that all Native Americans have access to the resources and services they need to thrive. Our dedicated attorneys and staff work tirelessly to safeguard the civil rights of Native Americans, ensuring that they are protected from discrimination ..read more

By Judge Victorio Shaw (Hoopa Valley Tribe), CILS Board Trustees Vice Chairman This month our contributions to this country are to be remembered, explored, and celebrated. NAHM is a wonderful opportunity to have a spotlight put on our people, our stories, and our art. Most importantly though, it reminds me that we as a people are survivors. We come from a long line of survivors and warriors, and medicine people who fought and prayed so hard that we may live. I am proud of my ancestors. They are proud of us, and we deserve be proud of each other including ourselves. NAHM is a reminder to the ..read more

By Jason Golfinos, Staff Attorney California Indian Legal Services wishes to honor all of the Native people who have served in the United States armed forces. Native people have served in the military from the beginning of the country, putting their lives on the line for their communities even in service of a government that frequently did not value their cultures. Native people have thus created their own, proud tradition of military service and continue to be disproportionately represented in the U.S.’s armed forces compared to other ethnic groups. CILS also wants to highlight and honor th ..read more

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it’s essential to recognize that while progress has been made, domestic violence still affects many people. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an average of 20 people experience physical abuse by a partner every minute.   American Indian and Alaskan Native women experience higher rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking than the general population. According to the non-profit National Domestic Violence Hotline, about 35% of women in the general population experience rape, physical viol ..read more

California Indian Legal Services (CILS) actively seeks individuals passionate about advocating for Native American rights to join their Board of Trustees in a volunteer position. CILS’ mission is to provide legal services in federal Indian law to income-eligible Native Americans and low-cost legal services to Tribes. CILS seeks board members who will support, guide, and lead in partnership to achieve its mission and vision.    As board members, the following responsibilities must be met to ensure the success of CILS:  Attendance: Board members must attend four (4) quarterly b ..read more

By Mark Romero (Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians), CILS Board Chairman  Haawka:   Serving on the California Indian Legal Services Board of Trustees has been a great honor. To serve as the Chairman of the Board is an even bigger honor. Over the years, I have watched the organization struggle at times, but I have also had the opportunity to see it grow. I have seen some staff come and go, and for those who have left, I wish only the best for them. As a former Tribal Leader and my upbringing, I have a love for community. When the colonizers came, they tried to tear down and des ..read more

For those in Sacramento for California Native American Day, we invite you to our Board of Trustees Meeting, which will be held a day before the event. Our in-person CILS Board of Trustees Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held in the Sutter Room of the Hyatt House Hotel at 2719 K St, Sacramento, CA 95816.   This meeting is open to the public, and we would be delighted to welcome anyone interested in attending. We encourage you to join us for this important event, where we will discuss various topics related to California India ..read more

It is with great enthusiasm that we share with you the new logo for CILS, which was completed in March. We had the privilege of collaborating with the gifted artist Carl Avery, whose distinctive graffiti-inspired style incorporates Native American iconography and motifs. The logo’s stunning design left us in awe, and we believe it represents a fresh and exciting phase for CILS, brimming with potential and possibilities as we enter a new era.   Carl’s work is strongly influenced by his Yurok upbringing on the Hoopa reservation. The culture and traditional objects he grew up seeing ha ..read more