NALSA at UW Wins Chapter of the Year
For the first time in history, the National Native American Law Association (National NALSA) has recognized NALSA at UW as Chapter of the Year.
When board members of the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) at UW recently returned from National NALSA’s 55th Anniversary Celebration and Moot Court Competition in Las Vegas, they came back with a new honor.
For the first time in its 55-year history, NALSA at UW was recognized as National NALSA’s Chapter of the Year, from a field of nearly 60 NALSA groups at law schools across the country.
NALSA at UW, comprised of 20 students from tribal communities across North America as well as communities without tribal affiliations, launched in 1970, the same year that National NALSA was established.
The Chapter of the Year award recognizes a NALSA chapter demonstrating excellence in legal service and overall commitment to promoting the mission of National NALSA.
“This award is a testament to our ancestors and our community, and we are honored to receive this recognition,” read a statement from NALSA at UW, whose board comprises nine law students. “Our board is dedicated to continuing to strive for excellence in supporting, aiding and uplifting Native American law students and addressing Native American/Indian legal issues.”
National recognition at the student level amplifies UW Law’s legacy of excellence around Indian law through the Native American Law Center (NALC) and Gallagher Law Library’s digital collection of documents related to the landmark Boldt Decision and subsequent proceedings.
NALSA at UW seeks to promote the study of Indian law and Tribal law among all law students to serve Tribes and Native communities with a commitment to excellence and cultural competence. The organization also provides support and community to American Indian and Alaska Native students at UW Law through scholarship, mentorship and community events.
Among these accomplishments, NALSA at UW has been able to provide seat deposit scholarships, establish a fund to offset the cost of books, create an emergency fund and offer travel grants. Through the Kyle Rearden Memorial Scholarship, they cover the costs for a student to participate in the Rural Alaska Tax program, and, in collaboration with the Public Interest Law Association, have established a scholarship for summer internships. NALSA at UW also maintains an active calendar including social events, outreach, mentorship activities, film screenings, participation in competitions and conferences and the annual Salmon Bingo Dinner and Fundraiser, which raised more than $15,000 for scholarships and programming in 2024.
At the 55th Anniversary Celebration, the NALSA at UW board had the opportunity to meet with and hear from outstanding Native leaders in the legal field.
They were joined by Professor Monte Mills, director of the NALC, and three Moot Court teams from UW Law at the National NALSA Moot Court Competition. Both Mills and Professor Eric Eberhard, associate director of the NALC, volunteer their time to coach the Moot Court teams and support the work of the NALSA board.
In honor of their national recognition, consider making a donation to NALSA or emailing nalsa@uw.edu to learn more about sponsoring a table at Salmon Bingo, their biggest annual fundraiser.