Dear Supporters, Partners, and Community,
The Center for Indian Law & Policy (Center) has proudly served our legal and surrounding communities for more than 15 years, thanks to the support and partnership of individuals like you. Together, we have provided valuable assistance and guidance to law students, Tribal Nations, and legal advocates, all while advancing Indigenous Peoples law and strengthening our communities. With the retirement of Professor and former Faculty Director Gregory Silverman, and the hiring of new Faculty Director, Nazune Menka, comes an opportunity to reflect on the Center’s past successes and challenges and to establish a vision for the future.
The Strategic Plan (Plan) that follows will serve as the foundation for the launch of a capital campaign in service of achieving the vision of the Center, for Seattle U Law to lead the Pacific Northwest in Indigenous Law. Two integral aspects to achieve this vision will be: 1) to cultivate partnerships with Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, state and federal authorities, and other stakeholders; and 2) to engage with major donors, foundations, and grant makers to secure funding for the Plan. Lastly, to reflect the broader goals of including Tribal law and international law in our work, and fostering greater inclusivity, we aim to use the term “Indigenous Peoples Law” or “Indigenous Law” instead of “federal Indian law” going forward. Accordingly, we have decided to rename the Center for Indian Law & Policy to the Northwest Center for Indigenous Law.
We believe this new name better reflects the evolving scope of our mission and strengthens our connection with the broader Indigenous community. While we recognize that the term "Indian" has been historically used and remains a legal term of art, we believe it is time to phase it out in favor of more inclusive language that is respectful of Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who do not identify as “Indian” but to whom the field of “federal Indian law” applies. Additionally, we seek to distinguish ourselves from other similarly situated law centers by focusing on serving Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Ocean regions. The Center remains steadfast in our dedication to educating the legal community about the history, impact, and contemporary importance of Tribal Nations as polities, their inherent Tribal sovereignty, the federal government’s trust responsibility to Tribal Nations, and about Indigenous Peoples law, more generally.
In making this decision, we have discussed this change with the Center’s original founders, who are supportive of the new name. Our intention is both to adapt to the increased use of the term “Indigenous” and to better align with our future aspirations as outlined herein.
As we work to maximize the impact of the Center, we are asking for, and would greatly appreciate, your input on this draft Plan. We aim to finalize this Plan by June 2025 in order to shift our focus to the development of specific, measurable, achievable, and time restricted goals. We welcome your feedback on our vision for the Center’s future and thank you for your time and care in completing the survey (or emailing your feedback to us).
In Community,
Nazune Menka (Koyukon
Athabaskan & Lumbee)
Assistant Professor of Law and
Center Faculty Director
menka@seattleu.edu
Brooke Pinkham (Nez Perce)
Center Director
pinkhamb@seattleu.edu
Read the strategic plan
