CILP News

Allen Sanders Testimonial

Allen Sanders was a long-time member of the adjunct faculty at Seattle University School of Law where he taught federal Indian law long before it became a fixture in the law school's curriculum. He was also an integral part of the inception of the law school's Study Law in Alaska Program, in which he taught Alaska Native Law to law students from across the country. Through his dedication to the issues and history of Indian people, both in the Lower 48 and Alaska, Allen made students aware, often for the first time, of the importance of federal Indian law. The School of Law recognizes his often quiet and always effective contributions to our graduates' preparation for practice in this area.

Due in large part to the foundation built by Allen and his steady commitment to federal Indian law, the School of Law has expanded its Indian Law curriculum and programming into the Center for Indian Law and Policy. In addition to the Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate - the only one of its kind in the country - Seattle University School of Law has faculty focused on Native American issues, a strong curriculum and an attorney for Native American Projects who oversees various opportunities for students. In addition to federal Indian Law, the law school offers courses in Natural Resources Law, Indian Trusts and Estates Clinic, Contemporary Issues in Indian Law, Tribal Governmental Gaming and Tribes as Entrepreneurs. The Center for Indian Law and Policy has grown to provide services to the Muckleshoot, Nez Perce, and Coeur d'Alene Tribes under contract. Attorneys within the Center also work with tribes on traditional areas of Indian law such as treaty rights water rights, sovereignty and jurisdictional issues and are expanding into newer areas of tribal interest such as gaming and business.

It is Allen's vision that is reflected in our commitment to educating and training both Native and non-Native students, attorneys, and community leaders in the areas of federal Indian law and other legal, cultural and policy issues that impact tribes and Native people. While we mourn Allen's passing, his memory and contributions continue to thrive here at Seattle University, both in our nationally successful Study Law in Alaska Program and in our expanded Indian Law curriculum and Center for Indian Law and Policy. We are eternally grateful for Allen's unwavering efforts and commitment to Indian and Native people and for his outstanding work in preparing our graduates for a future in Indian law.

Annette E. Clark
Interim Dean
Seattle University School of Law