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 Hoffmann
Contact Benjamin Gray for information about this Student Group.
VLS NALSA is a chapter of the National Native American Law Student Association.