1. CALIFORNIA INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES
DOROTHY ALTHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OCTOBER 10, 2019

2. WHO AND WHERE WE ARE
Established in 1967 as an offshoot of California Rural Legal Services (52 yrs.)
Statewide program
110 federally recognized tribes and approximately 40+ unrecognized tribes
4 offices—Eureka (north), Sacramento (central), Bishop (eastern) and Escondido (south)
Soon to have 11 lawyers including me
Serve low income Native Americans and tribes (group eligibility) and tribal organizations
Fee for Service with tribes who are not low income and individuals with unique Indian law legal issues

3. Why Fee for Services LSC funding cut backs
Tribal gaming open new area of Indian law
Gaming brought lots of attorneys who were “Indian” law experts (not)
CILS’ established relationships with tribes and experience with tribal governments made tribes want to stay with CILS
Could not provide assistance with LSC funding
Contracting was the option

4. LSC Regulations
45 C.F.R. § (d) “Non-LSC funds” means funds derived from a source other than the Corporation:
1. IOLTA (deemed “public funds’)—restricted
2. Private funds—derived form an individual or entity other than a government source or LSC--restricted
3. Public funds—non-LSC funds derived from a federal, state, or local government or instrumentality of a government (this includes IOLTA)-- restricted
4. Tribal funds—funds received from an Indian tribe or [funds] from a private nonprofit foundation or organization for the benefit of Indians or Indian tribes---UNRESTRICTED

5. Nature of Our Contract Work
Tribal representation in state dependency cases where ICWA is applicable
Tribal Government work:
Tribal court development Tribal Court Judge
Tribal law enforcement Enrollment Ordinance
Housing policy and procedures (evictions) Economic Development
Oversee tribal elections Grant writing
Code drafting (everything) Community Education
Litigation—defense and initiation Education
Exclusions
Assignments disputes

6. Nature of Our Contract Work
Individuals—wills and land (allotment) issues
Indian Organizations:
Indian Health Clinics
Indian Housing Authorities
Indian Water Commissions
Indian Cultural Committees
Indian Community College and Foundation

7. Unrestricted Funds
Funds from contracting has allowed CILS to provide more free legal services;
Do restricted work such as introduce and lobby for legislation, do prisoner rights cases, submit comments to proposed regulations and legislation, etc.;
Has built a solid financial base for CILS to weather LSC and other funding cuts when they happen;
Broadens attorney Indian law experience to beyond “basic field” work.