Legal Services and Indigenous Law Support in Idaho Tribal Communities
Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) provides legal representation, civil and criminal services, and education to six Indian tribes in Idaho. With a focus on tribal justice systems and tribal court improvement projects, ILAS plays a crucial role in supporting Indigenous communities in legal matters.
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Providing Legal Services to Tribal Communities in Idaho Indigenous Law Conference Indigenous Law and Policy Center Michigan State University College of Law East Lansing, MI October 9, 2019 Howard A. Belodoff Associate Director Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. howardbelodoff@idaholegalaid.org
IDAHO LEGAL AID SERVICES ILAS is a statewide LSC program with eight offices. ILAS attorneys serve five Reservations from four offices. ILAS receives a small LSC Native American grant of $73,000 per year. Supplemental Funding: DOJ Office of Justice Programs Tribal Criminal and Civil Legal Assistance Grants for Indian tribes Tribal Contracts to provide legal representation to Tribal Members
SIX INDIAN TRIBES Five Reservations Kootenai: Members: 149 Coeur d Alene: Members: 2,190 +/- Nez Perce: Members: 3500 +/- Shoshone & Paiute: Members: 1,200 Shoshone & Bannock: Members: 5,826 Current Size 12.5 acres Current Size 345,000 acres Current Size 750,000 acres Current Size 300,000 acres Current Size 546,000 acres
Legal Representation ILAS has prioritized a good working relationship with the Tribes, Tribal Courts and Tribal Counsels over many years. ILAS is an integral component of the tribal justice system on Reservations. Attorneys travel to the Reservations on a weekly basis to meet with and serve tribal members and appear in tribal courts. In the case of the Duck Valley Reservation, the trip is 165 miles one way and may require the attorney to stay overnight to appear at court hearings. ILAS is the only legal assistance available on the Duck Valley Reservation.
Civil and Legal Representation ILAS provides legal services in civil and criminal cases. Public Defender Services on the Nez Perce and Duck Valley Tribal Courts Appointed as GAL in juvenile cases for the Fort Hall Tribal Court Prepare Indian Wills involving estate issues for trust lands Indian Trust Land Management for individual landowners Representing victims of Domestic Violence ILAS has been involved in Tribal Court improvement projects such as drafting and revising Tribal Codes, Judge s Desk Book, and participating in problem solving courts. The contract with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes includes legal representation in state courts for misdemeanors and civil matters. Education of Tribal Members: Wills and Estate Planning, Consumer & Debt Collection, Agricultural and Resource Issues, & Land Management Issues.
