It is disturbing to see statements by some Indian advocates saying that the "doctrine of discovery" actually took away or denied Indian land rights as a matter of law. If this were true as a matter of law, Indian nations would have enormous problems maintaining any form of ownership of their present lands and would seldom or never be able to make claims for the return of lands illegally taken. Fortunately, the doctrine of discovery did not, as a matter of law, actually take away any Indian land, and we should not say that it did. (More...)

The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe filed a lawsuit today to stop an Act of Congress that threatens to take a fund of money belonging to the Timbisha Shoshone and the Western Shoshone Nation as a whole.

"The Timbisha Shoshone, not Congress, should be the one to decide how the money is to be used," said Robert T. Coulter, executive director of the Indian Law Resource Center and lead counsel in the suit. "Congress believes that it can do as it pleases with the property and funds of Indian Nations, including taking property and funds without any compensation. This is obviously wrong, and it hurts all Indian Nations."  (More...)

Thousands of African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans have been rejected for jobs by the U.S. Census Bureau because of systematic discrimination, according to a class action filed April 13th in a federal court in New York.

"The Indian Law Resource Center became co-counsel in this effort because Indian communities depend on an accurate count of their members to ensure fairness in the administration of federal programs," said Robert T. Coulter, Executive Director of the Center. (More...)

We are pleased to bring you our 2009 Annual Report which details our program work in the United States as well as Mexico, Central and South America. The Indian Law Resource Center continues to be engaged with many crucial legal battles for the future of Indian and Alaska Native nations. We are grateful to all of you for your support and generosity that makes our work possible. Please enjoy the report. The featured artist is Terrance Guardipee, an internally acclaimed artist renowned for his authentic Blackfeet ledger art.

SURVEY
Thank you for taking time to review the 2009 annual report. We would like to hear from you. What works and how can we make improvements to this annual publication? Please take a couple of minutes to give us your opinion through our online survey. We appreciate your support.

On April 20, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, announced that the United States will conduct a formal review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Hopefully this means the United States will eventually join the world community and adopt the UN Declaration.

Links to the full statement by Ambassador Rice and other news from the United Nations Permanent Forum

The Indian Law Resource Center is grateful for all your support throughout the year. We are especially thankful to those of you who consider supporting the Center into the future through estate planning.

Your will provides insight into your priorities and concerns. Bequests to family members tell of your love and concern for their welfare. And bequests to non-profits speak volumes about your values and concern for the welfare of others.

For example, when you include the Indian Law Resource Center in your will, you express your commitment that the rights of indigenous peoples are worthwhile and you affirm your belief in the mission of the Center. Such action encourages those you leave behind to consider how they too can help those in need and live philanthropic lives.

A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. There are several ways to make a bequest to include the Indian Law Resource Center:

• - Specific dollar amount
• - Percentage of your estate
• - Remainder after designated distributions are made

Your will says many important things about your interests, values and commitments. And because it says so much, you are wise to think it through carefully.

To help you, the Center's development team is happy to provide you with this complimentary resource, Guide to Planning Your Will. You can download it here, from our website at www.indianlaw.org, or by calling Barbara Anthony, Director of Development at (406) 449.2006 ext. 104.

Click here to donate now through our secure online service.

In the D.C. Office, we had the support of Rafael Medina, Ignacio Barrachea, Autumn Knowlton, Susie Kim, and Maria Renshaw.  Both Rafael Medina and Ignacio Barrenechea are from Argentina, and they assisted our Guatemala work by providing legal research and analysis.  Autumn Knowlton, Susie Kim and Maria Renshaw provided general project support by assisting with research, translations, interpretation, and office administrative support.  We thank each of them for their commitment to the rights of indigenous peoples and wish them luck in their future endeavors.

WELCOME
This summer we are pleased to welcome the following Interns.

Rebecca Aleem from the University of British Columbia and Tania Valdez from the Berkeley School of Law will be joining us in the D.C. office.  Sapphire Diamant-Rink, University of Cincinnati College of Law, is our Sidley Fellow and will be working out of the Helena, MT office.  Evelyn Aero, LLM Candidate at the Indiana University School of Law, is a lawyer and human rights advocate from Uganda. She will be splitting up her time with both the Helena and D.C. offices. We are excited to have them join the Center and support our work this coming summer.

Native apology said out loud
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/95111209.html

New York Times EDITORIAL on Census Case - We Can't Tell You Why http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/opinion/21wed2.html?ref=opinion

Expert offers principles to fix inequities in federal Indian law http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/90353444.html

Robert T. Coulter Presentation at University of Buffalo Law School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHLDOVl8iBc