Established in 1967, the American Indian Law Center, Inc. (AILC) is the oldest existing Indian-managed and Indian-operated legal and public policy organization in the country.
The AILC is a national leader for tribal governments and organizations in the development and analysis of federal Indian law and policy.
Purpose and Services
AILC’s services provide important and timely information to tribal governments and tribal courts. We assist on numerous critical issues such as:
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- judicial systems
- federal and state administrative regulations and legislation
- Indian social and health services
- infrastructure development and intergovernmental relationship building to name a few!
Most recently, the AILC assisted in facilitating and providing successful training programs to build tribal leadership’s capacity to be strong advocates for justice, social, and economic opportunities. AILC continues its ongoing work on tribal code development, including children’s, elder protection, and research codes.
In light of the increasing complexity of the federal government’s devolution of regulatory and legislative authority, including funding to state and local governments, tribal governments and communities must remain vigilant for opportunities to improve tribal capacity and infrastructure and to have input in the development of laws and policies.
Legal Policy Analysis and Services
Facilitating important services, communications, negotiations, and relations among the tribal, state, and federal governments.
Please contact the AILC for information on legal services and policy analysis services at (505) 277-5462 or email us.
Appellate Court Forum
Serving the SWITCA region for the review of tribal court decisions, and providing training, technical assistance, legal research, and support services.
Preparatory Legal Education
PLSI is an intensive two-month program that prepares American Indian and Alaska Native individuals for the rigors of law school.
PLSI CELEBRATES 55 YEARS
Over 50 Years of Excellence
From AILC’s analyses of the role of tribal governments in the federal domestic assistance program delivery system in the early 70’s and 80’s, to continuing development in the field of tribal-state relations in the mid-70’s, and later in the critical research and studies of tribal justice and juvenile justice systems in the 80’s and 90’s, and the critical work of reviewing and assessing tribal court judicial system, tribal leadership training, and developing tribal codes in the 2000’s, AILC has garnered respect from tribal leaders and communities across the nation.
Legal Services
For Individuals
The American Indian Law Center does not provide legal assistance to individuals. We provide training and technical assistance to tribal governments and courts, and legal education to Native pre-law students. If you are an individual looking for services, these organizations might be able to help you:
Southwest Indian Law Clinic
1117 Stanford Dr. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-277-5265
State Bar of New Mexico
New Mexico Legal Aid
1-833-LGL-HELP (1-833-545-4357) (generally Monday through Thursday, 10am to 3pm)
The Legal Aid staff will be happy to talk with you. If they are not able to handle your case, they will try to give you information and advice regarding steps you can take to solve the problem on your own. They also may be able to refer your case to other organizations in New Mexico that might be able to assist you.
Santa Ana/Native American Program Office
51 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Suite 102
PO Box 817
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Telephone: 505-867-3391
Fax: 505.227.8712
Native American Disability Law Center
Farmington, New Mexico Office
905 W. Apache Street
Farmington, New Mexico 87401
Toll-free: 800-862-7271
Phone: 505-566-5880
Fax: 505-566-5889
Flagstaff, Arizona Office
1515 E. Cedar Ave. Ste. D1
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
Toll-Free: 800-862-7271
Phone: (928) 433-0963
DNA-People’s Legal Services (Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe)
If you’d like to apply for services, you may do so by calling DNA’s Centralized Intake at (1-833-362-1102), you may start an online application at www.dnalegalservices.org, or you may also contact your nearest DNA office to schedule an intake interview. If you are applying for services and you have a court hearing within 7-10 days, or you are being evicted within 5-10 days, or if you have a legal emergency, please provide that information to the DNA staff person taking your call.
Window Rock Administration
P.O. Box 306
Window Rock, AZ 86515
(928) 871-4151 * Fax: (928) 871-5036
Navajo Nation DNA Offices
CHINLE DNA
Location: Chinle Chapter Complex
Mailing address: P.O. Box 767
Chinle, AZ 86503
(928) 674-5242 * Fax: (928) 674-2410
FORT DEFIANCE DNA
Location: North of the ALON gas station, at the junction of Highways 12 & 264
Mailing address: P.O. Box 306
Window Rock, AZ 86515
(928) 871-4151 * Fax: (928) 871-5036
TUBA CITY DNA
Location: 220 South Main Street
Mailing address: P.O. Box 765
Tuba City, AZ 86045
(928) 283-5265 * Fax: (928) 283-5460
Hopi Offices
HOPI DNA
Location: Highway 264, behind the Hopi Law Enforcement Complex
Mailing address: P.O. Box 558
Keams Canyon, AZ 86034
(928) 738-2251/5345 * Fax: (928) 738-5343
HOPI PUBLIC DEFENDER
Location: Highway 264, behind the Hopi Law Enforcement Complex
Mailing address: P.O. Box 558
Keams Canyon, AZ 86034
(928) 738-5231/5234 Fax: (928) 738-5343
AILC Staff
Rodina Cave Parnall
Executive Director
Tracy Draus
Bookkeeper
Savannah Lee
Administrative Assistant/SWITCA Court Clerk
Danielle Ortiz
Project Coordinator
Board of Directors
Danielle Her Many Horses
Board President
Oglala Lakota Nation; PLSI 1999
Doreen N. McPaul
Board Member
Navajo Nation; PLSI 1998
Michael Petoskey
Board Member
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians; PLSI 1975
Kate Rosier
Board Secretary-Treasurer
Comanche Tribe; PLSI 1995
Aaron M. Sims
Board Member
Pueblo of Acoma; PLSI 2011