After Jessie’s daughter died unexpectedly, all she wanted to do was take the best care possible of her grandson, Griffen. Then she got a letter saying his Social Security payments would be cut off, meaning he would not be able to access special services for his autism. She couldn’t afford an attorney. “I’ve always been …
For people living on tribal land throughout the US, figuring out in which court a legal case will be heard can be confusing. A dizzying array of treaties, federal laws and case law determine where a case will be heard and even, in criminal cases, what charges will be filed. In many cases, such as …
Rural Montana – In just ten months, more than 50 American Indian clients have been helped by the Wills for American Indian Project at Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA). These 50 people have been empowered to assert their rights as trust land owners, deciding for themselves how their trust land is passed on. In 2018, …
Helena- The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) recently received a contract from the Northern Cheyenne Tribe under their Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. MLSA will receive $40,604 over two years to fund the Tribal Survivors Legal Project to provide civil legal assistance to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, …
The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) recently received a contract to help fund its Indian Wills Project, aimed at assisting Native American Montanans on seven reservations to avoid losing their trust land upon death. The contract, for funding from the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, will run through September 30, 2017. The Indian Wills Project …
MLSA Celebrates American Indian Heritage Day[/caption]For years, MLSA has been honored to collaborate with Montana Tribal Nations to provide effective services to Tribal members both in and out of court. With MLSA, Tribal members protect their rights against illegal and unfair actions by creditors, get repairs made so that housing is safe and healthy, build …
The Sample Foundation, a private family foundation located in Billings, has granted $10,000 to Montana Legal Services Association to help purchase a reliable, safe vehicle for legal aid advocates to reach rural, remote, and Native American clients. MLSA attorneys serving remote clients frequently drive anywhere from one to 12 hours, longer in winter, making a …
MLSA staff attorney Jennifer Hill-Hart recently trained law enforcement at Rocky Boy's Reservation on domestic violence issues. Alongside trainers from the FBI, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and others, Ms. Hill-Hart provided information and resources on identifying domestic violence and determining predominate aggressors in domestic violence situations. MLSA legal experts are available for …
MLSA attorneys Jen Hill-Hart and Joe Hardgrave were recently admitted to the Fort Belknap Tribal Bar. Ms. Hill-Hart is also a member of the bar of the Chippewa-Cree at Rocky Boy and Mr. Hardgrave is a member of the bars of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne. Both are also admitted to the State Bar of …
During Montana's American Indian Heritage Day (Fourth Friday in September) and National Native American Heritage Month (November), we take the opportunity to look back on MLSA's collaborations with Montana's Tribal Nations. For over 30 years, MLSA has been honored to collaborate with Montana Tribal Nations to provide effective services to Tribal members both in and …
