Gala coming in October 2012

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CILS is proud to announce our 45th Gala Celebration Plans

Please visit our Gala page for details about our October 24, 2012 Anniversary Gala.  This year marks nearly a half century of CILS’ service to Native communities in California.  The Gala promises to include a reception, auction, California cuisine and a California Native band. We are pleased to say that a growing number of tribes, along with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), are generously helping to sponsor this event.  Our special thanks to Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California, Redding Rancheria and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

Another Succesful Tax Season Helping Taxpayers in Need

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Tribal Alert: Thanks to the CILS I-CAN!™ E-File Partnership: 2011 Federal and State Income Tax Returns Surpass 2010 Amounts

Tax refunds totaling $349,859 were returned to over 215 low-income individuals thanks to CALIFORNIA INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES’  ICAN!™ E-FILE partnership with LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY.

Partnering with I-CAN!TM E-FILE allows CILS to assist you prepare individual federal and state income tax returns free of charge.  The program ensures that many of the special income tax issues facing Indian taxpayers are addressed.

2010 tax return refunds totaled $319, 506.  Each year more and more money is returned to taxpayers.  Keep CILS in mind for your 2012 tax return next year!

Download a .pdf copy of this Tribal Alert.

“I was with CILS when the first ICAN partnership was formed in 2004.  Eight years later I am privileged  to have coordinated the program for the past four years.  The amount of money returned to our community increases each year, this year by over $30,000!  Special thanks also goes to our ICAN Advocates who help us make this program so accessible.” – Angela Medrano, Escondido Staff Attorney

 

Victory against museum’s mistreatment of cultural items

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“Without lawyers like California Indian Legal Services, no one would have helped us.” – C. McCloud

 

CILS and Pro Bono partner Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP announced the settlement of a lawsuit brought against the Napa Valley Museum after the Museum damaged and misplaced a number of cultural items loaned to the Museum by Coleen McCloud and Chester McCloud, both California Indians.  The Museum had originally ignored the McCloud’s repeated requests for the return of their items – until the McClouds turned to CILS.  Resolution of the matter included monetary compensation to the McClouds, an apology from the Museum for the mishandling of items, and significant operational changes, including the adoption of a new policy, at the Museum to avoid future mistreatment of loaned articles. The Legal Team worked with Native American Museum experts in the development of industry-standard lending agreements to be used in any future borrowing and display of Native American Cultural items by the Napa Museum.

Field Office Move

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Our Sacramento Office Has Moved

Please note our new location in the heart of Sacramento’s Old Town District: 117 J Street, Suite 300, Sacramento CA  95814. The Sacramento phone number remains (916) 978-0960 but our new fax number is (916) 400-4891.