Empowering Future Lawyers: Nonprofits Supporting American Indian Law Students on Giving Tuesday
- Amber Holland
- Dec 1
- 4 min read
Giving Tuesday offers a powerful moment to recognize and support nonprofits that help American Indian students pursue law degrees, succeed in law school, prepare for the bar exam, and thrive as practicing attorneys. These organizations provide essential resources, mentorship, and community connections that make a real difference in the lives of Native law students and legal professionals. Lydia Locklear Canty and myself, Amber Holland, were supported and empowered by such organizations. As the founding partners of Current Tribal Law & Policy, PLLC, we want to highlight four key nonprofits that shaped us and have provided links for readers to contribute on this special day of giving.
Organizations Supporting American Indian Law Students
American Indian Law Center, Inc. (AILC)
The American Indian Law Center, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing legal education and advocacy for American Indians. It offers programs such as the Pre-Law Summer Institute, which prepares Native students for law school by strengthening their skills and knowledge. AILC also provides support during law school and bar exam preparation, helping students navigate the unique challenges they face.
Lydia’s path to becoming a lawyer was shaped by the support she received from the American Indian Law Center and its Pre-Law Summer Institute. This program gave her a strong foundation before starting law school, helping her develop critical thinking and legal writing skills. The mentorship and community she found through AILC made the transition to law school smoother and less isolating.Â
Lydia remains involved with AILC and serves as Chair of the PLSI Judicial Clerkship Committee, the only entity in the country focused specifically on increasing the number of native judicial clerks. Since 2016, the PLSI Judicial Clerkship Program has produced 31 judicial clerks in 38 state and federal judicial clerkships (some have completed more than one judicial clerkship). They also developed the PLSI Judicial Clerkship Handbook, a comprehensive guide designed to help students navigate the application and hiring process.Â
AILC also shaped my journey to becoming a lawyer. During my bar exam preparation, I turned to AILC for guidance and encouragement as well as support covering the costs of a commercial bar review course through its Native Bar Prep Initiative. AILC’s support helped me stay focused and confident, ultimately leading to my successful passage of the bar exam during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Donation link: American Indian Law Center, Inc. Donations
National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA)
NNALSA connects Native law students across the country, offering networking, leadership opportunities, and academic support. The organization hosts the National NALSA Moot Court Competition, which sharpens advocacy skills and builds confidence.
My law school experience at the University of New Mexico School of Law was enriched through active participation in the National Native American Law Students Association. I served as an area representative for two different regions during my second and third years of law school, gaining leadership skills and connecting with peers nationwide. Lydia, too, served as an area rep during law school and we both competed in the National NALSA Moot Court Competition as law students. In 2016, Lydia and her partner reached the Sweet-Sixteen round of the moot court competition and in 2020, my team did as well.
Donation link: National Native American Law Students Association Donations
National Native American Bar Association (NNABA)
NNABA and its 501(c)(3) arm, the NNABA Foundation, supports Native attorneys and law students by providing scholarships, mentorship, and professional development. It fosters a community where Native legal professionals can share resources and experiences. NNABA also offers bar exam scholarships and hosts events that connect students with practicing lawyers. In 2020, I was very grateful to have been a recipient of the National Native American Bar Association Bar Prep scholarship, which eased the financial stress of preparing for the bar exam.
Donation link: National Native American Bar Association Donations
Native American Bar Association of Washington, DC (NABA-DC)
NABA-DC focuses on Native law students and attorneys in the Washington, DC area. It provides networking opportunities and leadership roles that help students and practitioners gain practical experience and build meaningful relationships. NABA-DC programming includes a unique summer program for student interns that exposes students to various federal legal environments. The summer Brown Bag Program greatly enhanced my own summer internship at the Department of the Interior and as an attorney, I served three years on the NABA-DC board which allowed me to contribute to the community that had supported my growth. Recently, NABA-DC has partnered with the NNABA Foundation to grant financial awards in the future.
Donation link: Native American Bar Association of DC Donations
Why Supporting These Organizations Matters
"The generations before me sacrificed so I could be here, and I have an obligation to those who come after me. We must leave the ladder down." In this statement, PLSI 2003 Graduate and 2004 Teaching Assistant, Deb Haaland truly captures why we give. American Indian law students face distinct challenges, including underrepresentation, financial barriers, and cultural isolation. Nonprofits like AILC, NNALSA, NNABA, and NABA-DC fill critical gaps by offering:
Academic preparation and tutoring
Scholarships and financial aid
Mentorship and leadership development
Networking and professional opportunities
Cultural affirmation and community building
These resources help Native students not only enter law school but also succeed and become leaders in the legal profession. Supporting these nonprofits on Giving Tuesday means investing in the future of Native legal advocacy and justice.
How You Can Help This Giving Tuesday
Your donation can make a tangible difference in the lives of American Indian law students and future lawyers. Consider contributing to one or more of these organizations:
Every gift supports scholarships, programs, and services that empower Native students like Lydia and I to start their legal careers and serve their communities.