25 Great Reasons to Support CILS

CILS’ New and Legacy Litigation

1. CILS successfully defeated three University of California professors’ legal challenge to block repatriation of ancient Kumeyaay human remains. Tim White et. al v. University of California et. al and Kumeyaay Cultural Repatriation Committee (KCRC), (2016).
2. CILS organized and submit amicus brief on behalf of over 50 California tribes in support of reconsideration of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that plaintiff did not have to exhaust tribal court remedies. Case involved the Tribe’s enforcement of tribal environmental laws on owner of non-Indian fee lands within the boundaries of the Rincon Reservation. 9th Circuit reserved itself and remanded to trial court to order exhaustion of tribal court remedies. Mushroom Farm Inc. v. Rincon Band of Mission Indians. (2012).
3. CILS challenged BIA’s denial of a 638 contract for tribal law enforcement on the grounds the tribe is located in a Public Law 280 state. Los Coyotes v. DOI and BIA (2012).
4. CILS argued for the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act in juvenile delinquency cases. In re W.B. (2012).
5. CILS protected tribes from BIA intervention into internal political matters. Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians v. U.S. 54 IBIA 320 (2012).
6. CILS opposed the Franchise Tax Board’s attempts to create a “tribal source” rule and to tax the income of a tribal member living and working on her own reservation. FTB Case No. 568967388 (2010).
7. CILS ensured courts decide in favor of tribal sovereignty by reinforcing respect for tribal courts under the Indian Child Welfare Act. In re M.M. v. Michael T. (2007).
8. CILS led the charge to ensure the Indian Child Welfare Act is complied with in California courts. Senate Bill 678 (2006).
9. CILS won a victory for juvenile Indians by forcing state agencies to use better discretion when reviewing Indian Child Welfare Act matters. In re Julian B. (2000).
10. CILS preserved the rights of California Indians whose tribes lack federal acknowledgment. Malone v. Bureau of Indian Affairs (1994).
11. CILS guarded Indian families and children against arbitrary removal of children from their family. In re Kahlen W. (1991).
12. CILS guided the courts to better understand the purpose and intentions behind the Indian Child Welfare Act. In re Crystal K. (1990).
13. CILS fostered awareness of the desecration of Indian sacred sites and the importance of religious freedom. Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Assoc. (1988).
14. CILS worked with tribes to protect the natural environment within their reservations and strengthened tribal sovereignty. Pinoleville Indian Community v. Mendocino County (1988).
15. CILS extended civil rights protections to Indians against state trespass onto their lands. Harold Hammond v. Madera County (1988).
16. CILS promoted freedom of worship in accordance with traditional Native religious practices. Sample v. Borg (1987).
17. CILS defended the rights of California Tribes to regulate hunting and fishing within their reservations. People v. McCovey (1984).
18. CILS restored “terminated” California Tribes to their full recognized status as tribal governments. Tillie Hardwick v. U.S. (1983).
19. CILS accomplished the goal of securing California Indians equal health services. Rincon Band of Mission Indians v. Harris (1980).
20. CILS asserted the right of the Quechan Tribe to preserve their land base against state opposition. Quechan Tribe v. Southern Pacific Transportation Co. (1979).
21. CILS championed the right of California Tribes to govern themselves despite local government opposition. Santa Rosa Band v. Kings County (1975).
22. CILS prevailed against discrimination by local government contractors in providing services. Scott v. Eversole (1975).
23. CILS challenged the ability of county ordinances to restrict certain types of gambling of preservation land. Rincon Band of Mission Indians v. County of San Diego (l974).
24. CILS held the Unites States liable for its failure to responsibly invest Indian money entrusted to them. Manchester Band of Pomo Indians, Inc. v. U.S. (1973).
25. CILS fought against arbitrary diminishment of reservation boundaries by states. Mattz v. Arnett (1973).