Annual Report

Submitted by Dani Fresquez, NALSA President

University of South Dakota Chapter

March 13, 2001

 

Thanks to a large incoming first-year class for the 2000-2001 Academic Year, the University of South Dakota Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) Chapter has been revitalized.  With one first-year Native student and one outgoing Native third-year student, it was difficult if not impossible for NALSA to make progress last year.  The group has already accomplished a great deal to date and has many plans for the rest of the year and beyond.  NALSA will be completing planning this semester to sharpen our focus in the areas of Recruitment and Retention of Native American Law Students, Outreach and Networking with the Indian Law Community, and Indian Law Education. 

 

There are now 6 first-year students and 1 second-year Native American students at USD.  We represent 6 tribes including 4 South Dakota Tribes.  Five of these students are very active with the NALSA Chapter in addition to 10-15 non-Native students who provide invaluable support and contributions. 

 

Considering that all of our officers are first-year law students, NALSA is proud to have accomplished so much just since August 2000.  Each Native American member has the goal of replacing themselves with another Native Student by the time they graduate.  With these efforts and the extensive groundwork laid this year, we feel that NALSA will be poised to accomplish great things during the 2001-2002 Academic Year.  The impact will be far reaching and tie into the reason why many of us are here at USD, to help build strong tribal nations.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 605-677-6365 or by email at nalsa@usd.edu. 

 

Accomplishments

·        Two successful fundraisers

·        Major Reorganization – Reinstatement of Chapter with National NALSA, Logo Design, Full Slate of Officers, Regular Meetings and Committee Development, and Record keeping.

·        Recruitment – SD Indian Education Association Panel Presentation by NALSA Members in October 2000.

·        Outreach to newly admitted Native students and prospective students for the next two Academic Years.

·        Hosted a forum with the Appellant’s attorney in the Sun Prairie Hog Farm Case (Rosebud Reservation) for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals arguments at USD on Sunday February 26th.

·        Wrapped up a successful National Minority Law Student Recruitment Month campaign for February that included, promotion and publicity, mailings, radio shows and advertising on SD Reservation Radio Stations.  Coordinated with the newly formed Black Law Students Association here at USD.

 

Currently

·        Regular Committee Work – Finance and Fundraising, Website Development, Recruitment, and Indian Law Symposium Planning.

·        Working with Professor Hutton, Criminal Law Professor and National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL) site coordinator, to create internship opportunities Summer 2001 with the Yankton Sioux Tribe and Dakota Plains Legal Services.

·        Developing new By-laws for the USD NALSA Chapter.

·        Ongoing development of our new website accessible at www.usd.edu/law/organizations/NALSA 

 

Future

·        Planning has begun for the Indian Law Symposium to be held Spring 2002.

·        In March, NALSA will conduct a SD Reservation Recruitment Tour with the assistance of Prof. LaVelle, Torts Professor and Tribal Member.

·        NALSA intends to send several teams to represent USD and Native Law Students to the 2002 National NALSA Moot Court Competition

·        Fundraising for Scholarships for Native American students and programs at USD.

·        Creating additional summer internship positions for law students in regional Reservation court systems.

·        Create mentorship program to advance the goals of our “Replace Yourself” Campaign for Minority Recruitment