Narf.org - Native American rights fund official information and news
Title
Native American Rights Fund
Description
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.
The staff of NARF, many of whom are Native American, use their understanding of Indian legal issues to assist tribes in negotiating with individuals, companies and governmental agencies. With credibility built over thirty-five years, NARF has become a respected consultant to policy makers and others engaged in drafting legislation. As a consensus builder, NARF works with religious, civil rights, and other Native American organizations to shape the laws that will help assure the civil and religious rights of all Native Americans. This emphasis helps tribes in all fifty states to develop strong self-governance, sound economic development, prudent natural resources management and positive social development.
Over the past three decades Indian law has dramatically changed. It has become a recognized specialty with a well documented body of statues and case law. In the 1970's and the early 1980's, courts were generally receptive to Indian rights cases. However, since the mid to late 1980's, an increasingly conservative federal bench has made Indian rights cases more difficult to win. Combined with the huge cost of litigation - in time and in money - this means NARF and its Indian clients are always attuned to opportunities for negotiation, consensus, and settlement.
Languages
English
