The Northwest Indian Bar Association (NIBA) recently awarded $6,500 in scholarships to Northwest Native law students as part of an ongoing effort to support Indian students seeking a legal education.

Since 2003, NIBA and its sister group, the Washington State Bar Association Indian Law Section, have raised and donated nearly $40,000 in scholarships to aspiring Indian lawyers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

�NIBA is excited and grateful to be in a position to support Northwest Native law students, financially and otherwise,� said NIBA President Lael Echohawk, reservation counsel for the Tulalip Tribes and a member of the Pawnee Tribe. �The Indian Legal Scholars Program awards acknowledge the students� demonstrated commitment to Indian Country and showcase the Northwest tribal bar�s pride in our future Indian lawyers.�

In December 2004, the following Native law students were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Marvin Beauvais (Navajo/Crow), a third-year student at Gonzaga Law School and President and Co-Founder of the school�s Native American Law Students� Association (NALSA) chapter;

Michael Douglas (Haida), a second-year student at the University of Washington School of Law and Treasurer of UW�s NALSA chapter, who will be interning with the Native American Rights Fund this summer;

Malena Pinkham (Grand Ronde), a second-year UW law student and Vice President of UW NALSA, and alumnus of the Pre-Law Summer Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Lisa Koop (Delaware), a third-year student at Seattle University Law School and former member of the Canadian National Women�s Basketball Team;

Brooke Pinkham (Nez Perce), a first-year UW law student and former social worker for the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation;

Nicole Royal (Athabascan), a first-year UW law student from Alaska and former intern for the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee; and

Ryan Gunn (Colville), a second-year UW law student and alumnus of the Pre-Law Summer Institute.

Although NIBA and the Indian Law Section have long supported law students through financial assistance, the organizations� recent scholarship donations represent their largest contributions to date.

Relevant Links:
Northwest Indian Bar Association - http://www.nwiba.org
Washington State Bar Association - http://www.wsba.org

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Indian lawyer association says ranks growing (08/27)