Skip to main content

Native American Law Students Association

Layout Builder

The Native American Law Students Association (“NALSA”) is an alliance of Native and non-Native students who aim to raise awareness and advocate for Indigenous issues in the legal context. Our meetings are open to all and are a welcoming and engaging way to meet like-minded students, learn about Indigenous legal issues, and make professional connections. We host a variety of events every semester and are always open to new ideas. In past years, we have held a 5k Land Back race that raised money for a local tribe’s land base fund, documentary screenings, book clubs, and symposiums inviting Indigenous legal professionals to speak.

Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Our Native American Law Students Association (“NALSA”) is made up of engaged students, staff and faculty dedicated to furthering environmentally sustainable practices and policies on campus and throughout the community.

NALSA MISSION STATEMENT

 

NALSA GOALS

NALSA strives to ensure that Vermont Law School maintains an Indigenous perspective in all mediums by providing a platform for Indigenous people and by supporting Indigenous law students.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Every semester, we host a book club focusing on Indigenous culture, history, experiences, and legal issues. We often invite the author and professors to book club meetings to discuss the text and how readers can support Indigenous rights. For this semester’s NALSA Book Club, we will be reading Red Rock Stories—a collection of writings about the cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance of the canyons in Southern Utah.  This book served to promote the creation of the Bears Ears National Monument headed by the largest inter-tribal coalition. This semester, we will discuss art-as-advocacy, Federal Indian Law, the Antiquities Act, and our systems of land protection.

PAST ACTIVITY

Some of the programs that NALSA has successfully implemented include the following:

  • Held a 5k Land Back race that raised money for a local tribe’s land base fund
  • Documentary screenings
  • Symposiums inviting Indigenous legal professionals to speak
  • ... and more!

 

 

NALSA EXECUTIVE BOARD

PRESIDENT: Benjamin Gray

VICE-PRESIDENT: Bobby Turner

SECRETARY: Alexandra Ellis

TREASURER: Benjamin Gray

PUBLICITY CHAIR: Benjamin Gray

 

FACULTY ADVISOR

Professor Hillary HoffmannProfessor Hillary Hoffmann

Contact Benjamin Gray for information about this Student Group.

 


 

Professor Hillary Hoffmann

VLS NALSA is a chapter of the National Native American Law Student Association.