Category Archives: Alumni

2026 ILP Alumni Awards: Call for Nominations

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The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award.

Nominations deadline: March 6, 2026

Send nomination and materials to: ilp@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony at Fed Bar on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Nomination Guidelines

ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package requirements:

  • Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
  • Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
  • Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
  • Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Claudeen Bates Arthur (’74) (Posthumous), Gloria Kindig (’89), Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71) and Herb Yazzie (’75).

ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package requirements:

  • Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
  • Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
  • Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Brian Garcia (’20), Rebecca Ross (’10), Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Peter Larson (’02), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92), Jeff Harmon (’05) and Chris Love (’045).

ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package requirements:

  • Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
  • Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
  • Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
  • Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
  • Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
  • Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
  • Past winners include: Krystalyn Kinsel (’15), Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Jacob Schellinger (’12), Derrick Beetso (’10), Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle (’09), Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09), Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08), Michael Corey Hinton (’11) and Candace French (’17).

Job opportunities: Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court

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Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court

Chief Judge
Department: Tribal Court
Job Vacancy: YAN-26-20
Starting Wage: DOE
Opening Date: 01-26-26
Closing Date: Until Filled

POSITION DESCRIPTION:.
The Chief Judge presides over and ensures proper operation of the Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court. The Chief Judge is the primary Judicial Officer of the Tribal Court and is the administrator of the Nation’s Tribal Court.

Review full job announcement: Chief Judge

Associate Judge
Job Vacancy: YAN-26-21
Starting Wage: DOE
Opening Date: 01-26-26
Closing Date: Until Filled

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Associate Judge presides over cases before the Tribal Court and helps ensure the proper operation of Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Court under the supervision of the Chief Judge.

Review full job announcement: Associate Judge

Job opportunity: Director for Native American Program

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Director for Native American Program
Santa Ana, New Mexico

New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) provides civil legal services to low-income New Mexicans for a variety of legal issues including domestic violence/family law, consumer protection, housing, and benefits. NMLA has locations throughout the state including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Gallup, Roswell, Silver City, Las Vegas, Taos, and Santa Ana.

The Native American Program (NAP) of NMLA provides free legal services to low-income Native Americans living on or near the 19 Pueblos and outreach services to the Mescalero Apache community in New Mexico. The majority of NAP’s civil and criminal misdemeanor cases are in Pueblo Courts.

The NAP Director is responsible for administration and management of the overall operations of NAP, including:

  • Ensuring that the civil legal needs of its client community are met, including initiating and completing period needs assessments.
  • Partnering and collaborating with tribal entities within the service area.
  • Developing projects and programs to leverage NAP resources, including funding opportunities.
  • Integrating NAP’s technology and communications needs into NMLA’s statewide system.
  • Overseeing the NAP’s legal advocacy, including supervising the Litigation Specialist.
  • Organizing and participating in community education and outreach activities to the various Pueblo communities.
  • Working in close collaboration with other members of NMLA’s management team; and
  • Being active in local bar associations and community activities.

The Native American Program handles creative, challenging, and complex work. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are passionate and strongly committed to helping NMLA better serve our client communities, including developing effective team strategies to handle complex advocacy and extended representation cases.

The position is based in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico but requires statewide travel.

Requirements:

  • License to practice law in New Mexico or become licensed within six months of employment.
  • Indian and Tribal law experience working in tribal communities, preferably Pueblo communities.
  • At least five (5) years of experience as an attorney, some of which should include practice in tribal courts.
  • Prior experience in administrative and supervisory roles is preferred.
  • Experience in supervising legal advocacy in Federal, State and/or Tribal Court.
  • Cultural knowledge and sensitivity to work with sovereign nations, including tribal courts and tribal governments and agencies.
  • Sensitivity to and ability to work with diverse low-income populations.
  • Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills.
  • Self-motivated individuals with strong interpersonal and managerial skills.
  • Be willing to travel.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and build collaborative relationships within the NMLA staff and the legal services community.
  • Proficiency in Keres or other relevant Native American language is a plus.

Applicant’s life experience, as well as academic and professional experience, will be considered.

Company Benefits:

  • 100% employer-paid BCBS medical, plus dental and vision for employees; generous contributions for dependents
  • 3 weeks vacation time, 6 days personal time, liberal sick pay, and federal holidays off
  • Comp time for overtime
  • Hybrid work schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote – your choice!)
  • 37.5-hour work week
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Competitive salary
  • Click herefor more information

Salary: depending on experience.

Deadline to apply: January 10, 2026

Applicants must submit a current resume, three references, and a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and the mission of NMLA. Your application will not be considered unless we receive both of these documents. To apply, visit: https://newmexicolegalaid.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1665294

Applicants will be subject to a background search. Please do not let this deter you from applying. NMLA is committed to a strong workforce and recognizes that persons with marks on their record may still be able to perform admirably.

Job Opportunity: Native American and Tribal Affairs Attorney

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Job Description and Duties

The Native American and Tribal Affairs Section (NATA) advises and represents the Governor and the State on Native American and tribal issues, including tribal-state gaming compact negotiations, civil and criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands, cultural resource protection, government-to-government consultation, litigation, and other matters involving legal relationships between Native American organizations and the State.

NATA is housed in the Division of Public Rights (PRD). The Public Rights Division serves Californians by safeguarding the State’s environment and natural resources, protecting state lands, maintaining competitive markets, preventing fraudulent business practices, protecting consumers against misleading advertising claims, preserving charitable assets and protecting civil rights. NATA collaborates with other sections in the PRD along with the Office of Native American Affairs to provide legal expertise across diverse legal topics and tasks. NATA Deputies litigate complex legal matters, negotiate and draft government to government agreements with tribes, ensure compliance with state and federal laws pertaining to gambling, and provide support and insight on policy matters as requested.

See full job posting and apply at: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=498199

Election procedures manual Tribal leader listening session 

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On Aug. 28, Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Indian Legal Clinic director and associate dean for Inclusive Excellence, and Maya Araujo, Native Vote Management Intern, attended a Tribal Leader Listening Session on the Arizona Election Procedures Manual (EPM). Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes in partnership with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona held the session to gather feedback specifically from Tribal leaders on the draft of the 2025 EPM. Arizona law requires the Secretary of State to draft an EPM that brings “the maximum degree of correctness, impartiality, uniformity and efficiency” to elections. The EPM must be updated on odd-numbered years and submitted to the Attorney General and Governor for their approval. 

At the Tribal Leader Listening Session, Fontes and Lisa Marra, State Election director from the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State, provided an overview of the EPM. Ferguson-Bohnee presented on the Tribal provisions and relevant topics from the EPM that impact Tribal voting rights. The ILC engages in the EPM comment process closely as, once approved, the EPM has the force of law and is a binding document that ensures the election process is consistent, efficient and legally sound for every voter.

Review the full 2025 Elections Procedures Manual.

Applying federal Indian law in accounting practice: Joseph Bryant (MLS ’25)

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Born and raised in rural Indiana, Joseph Bryant left home to serve in the U.S. Air Force, an experience that broadened his worldview and set the foundation for his professional journey. Now based in San Diego, with previous ties to Las Vegas, he has built a career as a certified public accountant with more than 14 years of experience in public accounting. At Delsen and Company LLP, he works with high-net-worth individuals and their related entities, such as businesses and trusts. Looking ahead, he hopes to become a partner and expand the firm’s practice into new areas, including supporting Native American-owned businesses.

He recently reflected on his MLS experience and career path in this Q&A.

What inspired you to pursue the MLS program, and did you have a particular emphasis?
I did not grow up in Native American culture, so I have felt robbed of that part of my heritage. My grandmother was born on a reservation, but she married and moved away in her early 20s. I wanted to learn more about my tribe’s history (Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians) and about the legal history that Native Americans have with Federal, state, and local governments. I want to help bridge the gap between Native Americans and other peoples. My ancestor Peter Graves led Red Lake for many years and retired from the Federal government after 30 years of service. He successfully bridged the gap between Red Lake and the Federal government, and I want to continue that legacy. I hope to bring unique power to the Native American community by combining newly-acquired knowledge from the MLS program with my accounting skills.

My emphasis areas in the MLS program were Federal Indian Law, Indian Gaming, Tribal Self-Governance and Sustainability. Once I began learning, I did not want to stop! 

Can you share a specific moment during the MLS program when you saw the direct relevance of what you were learning to Tribal governance or your work?
Internal control standards and audit requirements were some of the topics covered in Indian Gaming II. These might bore many students, but my CPA mind was dialed into that content. Some of the court cases and official complaints covered activity by tribes and their members that violated auditing and internal control standards. This helped balance my view of Native Americans and their relationship with the Federal government. Yes, Natives have suffered many wrongs at the hands of non-Natives, but external oversight is needed in some areas to help protect Native citizens from being harmed by their own people. Tribal self-governance should be encouraged and is good for Natives, but we need to lean on the Federal trust relationship during key times of tribal evolution.

How has your MLS degree helped you in your work? Or what is one project, case, or initiative you’ve been involved in since graduating that you’re most proud of? How did your MLS training help prepare you for it?
My public accounting firm has a client that is starting a sports leadership academy for disadvantaged communities, and I want to put Native Americans into that conversation. The academy is not up and running, but I am eager to start the process. This could be an exciting opportunity for Natives, as the leadership academy is connected to a professional sports team. I might not have had the idea to bridge that gap if I had not earned my MLS degree because of my networking and by making Indian affairs part of my daily consciousness. I can also speak confidently about Native American topics with outsiders because of my coursework.

What challenges did you face as an MLS student, especially balancing work, life, and community responsibilities—and how did you overcome them?
I work long hours during tax season and extension season in the fall (60+ hours a week), so time management was crucial. I would plan out my week in general the first day that a module opened (i.e., I would check Canvas for each class and get an idea of what I needed to do for that week and think about how to break it into manageable pieces). I used the Sticky Note feature in Windows to copy and paste the homework requirements and mark off items that I completed, listing due dates as needed.

I found that doing homework during my lunch hour was key, because I was able to get a head start while my energy level was still high. Watching a few videos or reading a few PDFs gave me a boost because I knew that I was doing things that I would not have to do later. 

I would do two more hours of homework every night after work, and I used Saturday mornings/afternoons for quizzes and tests because I was not drained from a full day of work. Sundays were either getting a head start on the week (if modules began on Thursdays) or by wrapping up homework for the week (if modules began on Mondays). I viewed myself as a homework machine – be consistent, be steady, pat myself on the back when I would get key items done, and keep on going. 

I have a family, so I had to carve out time for them during the MLS program. I tried doing fun activities like live sporting events and going to movies, which worked well because I was away from the house and away from responsibilities with fun distractions. I think that you have to make it clear to those around you that the degree program is a primary focus that you are going to have for some time, and that your life has to change for a while. If there are children in your life, showing them that studying matters is an example they will remember.   

What advice would you give to others considering the MLS program?
If someone feels led to pursue the MLS degree, they should do it. I think that it gave me vital legal knowledge without the need to attend law school. I considered law school when I was younger, but I chose accounting instead. The MLS program is perfect for working professionals who are deep into their careers but want to add legal knowledge and skills via the emphasis areas of their choice. I networked with other students and faculty that I would not have met otherwise. I did not grow up around other Native Americans, so making new Native friends was very rewarding for me. 

Is there a faculty member, class, or experience in the program that left a lasting impression on you? Why?

Professor Hoenig taught Indian Gaming I and II. He took complex material and separated it into interesting and manageable chunks of information. He was very approachable, offering an optional Zoom meeting during Indian Gaming II to get to know the students better. I really appreciated his deep understanding of the material and the chance to chat with him during the Zoom meeting. Professor Spruhan also offered an optional Zoom meeting during Civil Jurisdiction in Indian Country. 

It is easy for online students like myself to feel isolated or that they are not full-fledged students. Zoom meetings add life and color to the online experience. I left the meetings putting faces to the names and I knew that they had done the same for the students who attended. 

What’s one small change or initiative that you believe could make a big difference for tribal communities?

There are many disadvantaged communities in the United States, but Natives are very few and are often overlooked. I think that Native Americans should examine existing initiatives from third parties and find ways to connect their communities with those programs. This would be more effective than trying to start programs from scratch, as Federal assistance has been chronically underfunded and many tribes struggle to generate internal funding. The private sector has many donors looking to make a difference, and Natives need to network effectively with those who are interested in assisting minorities.

Where are they now? Feat. Carolyn Clark Loder (MLS ’11)

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Carolyn Clark Loder is a seasoned leader in the mining and natural resources industry, serving on the boards of directors of K2 Gold Corporation and Integra Resources, where she also chairs its Environment, Social, Governance Committee. As a board consultant and expert witness in mineral rights and Tribal engagement, she advocates for Indigenous inclusion at the highest levels of corporate decision-making.

Earning her Master of Legal Studies in Indian Law from ASU Law in 2011 was a transformative experience that broadened her perspective and deepened her commitment to equity and education. The first woman inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 2023, Carolyn continues to champion change in an industry historically led by white men — ensuring that all stakeholders, especially First Nations, have a seat at the table. 

Q: What has your journey been like since graduating? 

A: Upon getting my MLS in Indian Law, it opened up a broader view of the world that has enabled me to influence corporate America with that vision. As a non-Indian, I admit I knew nothing of our colonial past as I was indoctrinated into learning only the history of MANkind. As a young girl I could find no women heroines in history – they were all men. And all white men. And, I knew nothing of our First Nations.

Being inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame as the first living woman — and the first woman in 100 years — is not only amazing to me, but more a reflection of our past in that it has always been white men and corporate leaders who were recognized. I have seen a change in perspective over the last 40 years that wealth seeking is not the end all. All stakeholders are important in projects, not just the shareholders. I am fortunate to serve on publicly traded boards that recognize this shirt and support my belief that our First Nations have a voice and can bring positive change to the table.

I also was able to help influence a decision that brought a Tribal member onto a publicly traded Board. That is the next step – to have Tribal members on publicly traded Boards so that their advice and opinions are incorporated into decision making. Having them as employees is not the same — it does not effectuate change at the top.

Q: What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the classroom that has helped you in your career? 

A: The lesson I learned in the classroom is that Indian Law is complicated — very complicated — and despite my degree, I still know very little. The general public knows even less. I always have stories to tell folks and I am pleasantly surprised at how much interest people have and the questions they ask about Indian law. I wish the basics of Indian Law were taught in elementary school, particularly in the western states. It should be mandatory in high school civic classes.

Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduating that you wish you had learned in class? 

A: I miss the CLE classes that were always on current topics. They were so informative and I felt like I was still in the mainstream of learning. Without those classes, I lost touch with the Indian Law program, other than continued contact with a few students.

I also wish I had learned about the Tribes in Arizona. Having lived here for 30 years and being born in California, I still know so little of the Tribes of my homeland.

Q: What originally made you choose ASU Law? 

A: Clearly, it was the Indian Law program and the staff and professors and Heidi McNeil Staudenmaier of Snell Wilmer. She and I worked together on a landmark Tribal land exchange in New Mexico that returned 20,000 acres of ancestral lands to two Tribes. She told me about a fairly new degree at ASU called an MLS. She suggested I speak to Associate Dean Gary Birnbaum to see if I could  focus my course work entirely on Indian Law. I had completed my first-year law courses elsewhere years earlier, so those credits were already in place. Upon acceptance, I truly felt welcomed, particularly being the ‘older’ one in the classrooms. And the students were phenomenal. They welcomed me, and I made sure I always found time for them to share their concerns. Being older, I was a safe haven for them to discuss their fears, their problems and their hopes and dreams. I had not anticipated that my advice would even be sought after — I truly thought they would be disinterested. But, it was the opposite.

Q: What advice would you give to current students? 

A: I would say that they are truly blessed being in the Indian Law program at ASU, especially because it focuses on Indian Law versus Indigenous Law. There is so much to learn in the U.S. that I feel that if I took the global approach, I would not have learned as much as I did -– which is still very little. Focusing on the U.S. has given me the advantage to apply that knowledge to specific projects, situations and decisions.

Q: What’s something you’d like people to know about you? (This can be a fun fact or anything else you’d like to share!)

A: I was married years ago in Antarctica to a Canadian on lands claimed by Argentina and not recognized by the U.S., by a Russian Ice Breaker Captain. My husband was born in Labrador, before it joined Canada as part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He was born in the northern community of Hopedale, which is now a National Historic Site and legislative capital of the autonomous Inuit region of Nunatsiavut. His father ran the trading post and his mother cared for the Indigenous Peoples of Labrador with only a nursing degree and a dog sled. She received the Order of Canada by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing her dedication to the Native community and service to the Nation. Good footsteps for me to follow.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add? 

A: I have had a very blessed life in that I grew up in a rural area with no knowledge of the world and at age 18, I sailed around the world with World Campus Afloat. That exposure changed my life forever. I became a sponge for knowledge and with supportive parents, family, friends and community I was able to pursue my hopes and dreams. I wish everyone had such a support group.

Job opportunity: Deputy Prosecutor and/or Public Defender

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The Hopi Tribe is seeking a qualified person to serve as Deputy Prosecutor and/or Public Defender of the Hopi Tribal Office of the Prosecutor in Keams Canyon, Arizona on the Hopi Indian Reservation.  The Prosecutor’s office is located approximately 60 miles northeast of Winslow, Arizona.

The position requires an experienced preferred J.D. from an ABA accredited law school and admission to a State Bar.

Come make a difference, experience a unique culture deeply rooted in history, enjoy the high country climate and fresh air.   

If interested, please submit a resume to the Court Administrator at Ttewawina@hopitelecom.net or fax to (928) 738-5561.  Applicants will be required to comply with the Hopi Tribe’s Human Resource requirements.

 

Where are they now? Feat. Lena Jackson-Eckert (MLS ’08)

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A graduate of ASU Law’s Master of Legal Studies program, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Lena Jackson-Eckert now serves as assistant community manager for SRPMIC, where she oversees several key tribal government departments, including Health and Human Services.

Reflecting on her journey, Jackson-Eckert said, “I think it’s pretty cool to be able to say I went to ASU Law. I made relationships I still have today, and I see people from my cohort doing awesome work all over the country.”

Her path illustrates how the MLS can deepen existing experience, provide practical tools for leadership, and foster a community of peers committed to serving Indian Country.

After working as an advocate in the tribal prosecutor’s office, Jackson-Eckert decided to pursue the MLS to strengthen her understanding of legal systems and better support her community. She graduated in 2008 as part of the program’s inaugural cohort.

Although she entered the program with courtroom experience and a strong grasp of criminal law, Jackson-Eckert found particular value in the Indian law courses. One standout was a Native American health care law class taught by visiting professor Dr. Donald Warne, whose teachings continue to inform her work with Indian Health Services and the operation of Salt River’s tribally run health clinic.

“There are only a handful of experts in this area,” she said. Having access to that kind of knowledge was “incredibly meaningful.”

Jackson-Eckert completed her MLS while working full time, thanks to a supportive supervisor and access to education leave. She encourages prospective students—especially those working in tribal government—to pursue the MLS if they have a strong support system in place.

The degree directly contributed to her professional growth. Jackson-Eckert had long aimed to oversee multiple departments, and the position she holds today required a master’s degree. The MLS not only fulfilled that requirement, but also enhanced her ability to navigate legal systems more effectively—sharpening her skills in reading codes, understanding legal language, and working closely with tribal attorneys.

Native Vote 2024-2025 Reflection

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During the 2024–2025 academic year, the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law focused its efforts on the Native Vote Election Protection Project, ensuring Arizona’s Native voters were informed, supported and empowered throughout the state and federal election cycle. This year, the ILC welcomed Maya Araujo as the management intern, tasked with tracking and producing the most accurate data on Native voter participation in Arizona.

The 2024 Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project team included our Indian Legal Clinic third-year law students Garrett Bryan, Shandiin Herrera (co-lead), Imani Hicks, Morgan Oakes and Sadie Red Eagle (co-lead), all working under the supervision of ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. They were joined by a dedicated team of advocates running the hotline with Democracy Director Joel Edman, Honore Callingham (’18), Torey Dolan (’19), Jordan Garcia (’23), Blair Tarman-Toner (’20), Alexander Castillo-Nunez from the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) and Araujo. 

In collaboration with partner organizations, the team actively defended Native voting rights across the state. The ILC participated in and drafted four election lawsuits on behalf of the Navajo Nation and Gila River Indian Community. These cases sought to compel Arizona counties to comply with election laws and ensure polling locations remained open in the face of disruptions on Election Day.

The Native Vote Election Protection Project successfully recruited and trained 100 volunteers who were deployed to 63 polling places across nine counties and 11 Tribal reservations. On Election Day, volunteers provided real-time support to voters, addressed legal questions and ensured that Arizona election laws were properly followed. The team fielded over 300 hotline calls and documented 227 incidents — ranging from ballot issues, voter registration issues and polling location equipment malfunctions. Volunteers also collected 35 sworn declarations from voters, which became crucial evidence in same-day litigation against Apache County. The resulting court order extended voting by two hours at affected locations — ensuring that every eligible voter had the opportunity to cast their ballot.

Following the election, the ILC presented its findings and recommendations to multiple stakeholders. The team briefed the Navajo Nation Department of Justice on voter turnout, Election Day litigation, Election Day litigation, polling issues on the Nation and statewide trends. 

In January, student co-leads Red Eagle and Herrera joined Katherine Belzowski of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice for a panel titled “Democracy Ambassadors and the Native Vote” at the American Bar Association’s Democracy Task Force for American Democracy Listening Session in Arizona. Moderated by Ferguson-Bohnee, the panel shared firsthand insights from Chinle polling site on Election Day and highlighted failures in Apache County.

In February, ILC was invited to present “Challenges for Native Voters and Voter Turnout” to the Indigenous Peoples Caucus at the Arizona state legislature. Araujo and Herrera joined Ferguson-Bohnee to outline barriers to voting, discuss the Project’s mission, review Native voter data from 2016-2024 and offer recommendations to improve accessibility. Ferguson-Bohnee also presented to the League of Women Voters of Arizona on how identification requirements, voting by mail and polling location access impact tribal communities.

In April, the Law Journal for Social Justice at ASU hosted its Spring Symposium, “Voting Rights and Voter Disenfranchisement in Arizona,” at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. The symposium brought together legal advocates, community organizers and election officials to examine barriers to voting access in Arizona and discuss strategies to reform procedures for future election cycles. Among the featured speakers were Araujo, Ferguson-Bohnee, Herrera and Red Eagle. 

Also in April, ILP student Hunter Mallinger (3L) joined Ferguson-Bohnee in a presentation to the ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice section. During the Rapid Response on Native Americans & Birthright Citizenship, they discussed Executive Order 14160 and its impact on Native Americans. The session explored the legal history of Native American citizenship, dispelled misconceptions, and addressed emerging threats from immigration policy and enforcement. 

In May, ILC’s work was again highlighted during the ITCA Native Vote Convening, where Tribal leaders, election officials, legal scholars and voting-rights advocates reflected on the 2024 election cycle. Herrera and Red Eagle shared the Project’s findings, discussed common issues observed at the polls and offered strategies for improving voter access in Arizona’s Tribal communities.

Through strategic litigation, grassroots organizing and civic education, the Indian Legal Clinic’s Native Vote Election Protection Project continues to play a vital role in protecting the rights of Native voters and promoting a more inclusive and equitable democracy in Arizona.