Indian Law Support Center
Attorney: Steve Moore

Case Update

Steve Moore continues to perform ILSC duties by sending out regular mailouts to Indian Legal Services programs, handling requests for assistance, and working with Indian legal services programs to secure a more stable funding base from the Congress.

In December 2000 Congress enacted the Indian Tribal Justice and Legal Assistance Act of 2000 which President Clinton signed into law. The Act authorizes the Department of Justice to provide supplemental funding to Indian legal services programs for their representation of Indian people and tribes which fall below federal poverty guidelines. Congress appropriated $2 million in FY 2003 under the Act, and Steve and Indian legal services programs worked with the Department of Justice to devise an allocation methodology. The Department of Justice awarded a grant of $1,987,000 to NARF on June 7, 2004. Most of the grant funds will be contracted out to the Indian legal services programs with a small portion used to cover NARF administrative costs. We continue to be actively involved with local ILS programs in the administration of the grant and in developing training events to meet local program needs. Funding in the amount of $1,726,626 for calendar year 2006 was appropriated by Congress for the project. Funding via 2007 Congressional Appropriations was unsuccessful but we are working on funding within the FY 2008 budget.