History

Throughout its 49-year history, the AILC has accomplished the following:

1967-68
Creation of the Special Summer Program in Law for American Indians (pre-cursor to PLSI) by Professors Hart and Dean Tom Christopher of UNM School of Law

1968
American Indian Law Center founded

1974-77
American Indian Law Center participated in the creation of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples, Director Sam Deloria served as first President

1976-87
AILC assisted in the creation of the Commission on State-Tribal Relations, Chaired by AILC Board Member, Joe DeLaCruz (Chairman of the Quinault IndianNation)

1977
American Indian Law Center, Inc. became independent, Indian-controlled 501(c)(3) corporation separate from UNM School of Law

1980s
AILC creates Tribal Information System for social services case management on child abuse and child sexual abuse

1988-90
Legal Needs of American Indian Elders Research Project

1989
AILC and several tribal and Pueblo judges create SWITCA

1990s
AILC joins with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to conduct a comprehensive study of tribal administration of juvenile justice programs throughout the nation

1994
Publication of the Model Tribal Research Code, a code to assist tribes in the creation of tribal codes that would protect them from research abuse by the scientific community

1997
Head Start analysis

Given AILC’s extensive legal and policy experience, the AILC is perfectly positioned to continue further efforts to examine policy issues important to tribal governments, to assist in strengthening tribal justice systems, and to ensure proper legal education for Native Americans.