Native American Rights Fund

Native American Rights Fund. The Native American Rights Fund is a nonprofit legal organization dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States. Founded in 1970 during a period of increased activism, it has become a preeminent force in the field of Federal Indian law, utilizing strategic litigation to protect tribal sovereignty, natural resources, and cultural rights. Its work spans critical issues including treaty enforcement, religious freedom, and the protection of sacred sites, representing tribes and individuals without charge.

History

The organization was established with initial funding from the Ford Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, emerging from the legal defense efforts of the Native American Church and the legal aid work of California Indian Legal Services. Key founders included attorneys David Getches and John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, who became its long-time executive director. Its formation coincided with the rise of the American Indian Movement and followed landmark legal victories like the Boldt Decision, highlighting the need for sustained, expert legal advocacy. Initially based in Boulder, Colorado, its early cases focused on challenging state jurisdiction over tribal lands and securing fundamental civil rights for Native citizens.

Mission and activities

The core mission is to hold governments accountable to legal obligations and to ensure the survival of distinct tribal cultures. Its primary activity is impact litigation, selecting cases that can establish favorable legal precedents in federal and state courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. Beyond the courtroom, it engages in policy advocacy before bodies like the United States Congress and the United Nations, and provides legal support for tribal governance. The organization also maintains extensive public education resources on issues such as the Indian Child Welfare Act and treaty rights, and it often files amicus curiae briefs in significant cases affecting multiple tribes.

Key legal cases

The organization has been counsel in numerous precedent-setting lawsuits that have shaped modern Federal Indian law. In Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association, it defended the religious freedom of the Yurok, Karuk, and Tolowa tribes regarding sacred lands in the Six Rivers National Forest. The case of Cobell v. Norton involved its attorneys in the long-running lawsuit over the federal government’s mismanagement of Individual Indian Money accounts, resulting in a multi-billion dollar settlement. It successfully argued before the Supreme Court in Water Wheel Camp Recreational Area, Inc. v. LaRance, affirming tribal court jurisdiction, and has been instrumental in litigation protecting tribal hunting and fishing rights guaranteed by treaties like the Treaty of Point Elliott.

Organizational structure

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the organization also maintains branch offices in Washington, D.C., for legislative work, and in Anchorage, Alaska, to address issues specific to Alaska Natives. It is governed by a board of directors composed primarily of Native Americans from various tribal nations and legal backgrounds. The legal staff includes attorneys specializing in areas such as environmental law, human rights, and tribal jurisdiction, many of whom are graduates of programs like the University of Colorado Law School's American Indian Law Clinic. Funding is derived from private foundations, individual donations, and attorney fee awards from successful litigation.

Impact and recognition

The organization's litigation and advocacy have profoundly influenced the legal landscape for tribes, securing vital protections for resources, sovereignty, and cultural practices. Its efforts were central to the passage of laws like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and the defense of the Indian Child Welfare Act against constitutional challenges. It has received awards from groups such as the American Bar Association and has been recognized for its role in major settlements like the Keepseagle v. Vilsack case. The work of attorneys like John Echohawk has been featured in publications including The New York Times, cementing its reputation as an indispensable institution for Indigenous rights in North America.

Category:Native American rights organizations Category:Legal advocacy organizations in the United States Category:Organizations based in Boulder, Colorado