UCLA Law given $15M for Native American law study

UCLA School of Law received a $15 million to advance the study and practice of Native American law, the school announced Wednesday.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria made the donation, stating it is the largest contribution a tribe has made to a law school. The money will go to scholarships for Native American and other students interested in becoming tribal legal advocates.

"We at UCLA Law are immensely proud of our national leadership in Indian law," said Dean Jennifer L. Mnookin, in a prepared statement. "Thanks to this extraordinary contribution, our faculty, staff and students will have far greater opportunities to collaborate in promoting tribal sovereignty, cultural resource protection, Native American child welfare and economic development in Indian country -- work whose impact will last for generations. I am tremendously grateful to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for this vision, generosity and recognition of UCLA Law's strength in this area."

According to the news release, UCLA Law faculty wrote the first legal casebook in federal Indian law and developed the first joint degree program in law and American Indian studies.

"Tribal law is a cornerstone of Native Americans' quest for equality and inclusion within the U.S. justice system," said Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris in a prepared statement. "UCLA's commitment to educating and preparing the next generation of tribal legal advocates is personally known to me, as an alumnus and former UCLA professor. We hope this gift will begin the drive for equity for our people in our native land. It's particularly fitting that our announcement coincides with this Friday's California Native American Day, which celebrates and honors the historic and cultural contributions by California Native Americans."

-- Henrik Nilsson