Law Students Offer Tax Assistance and Learn Tribal Advocacy
This year, a group of American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) students traveled during spring break. They visited the Navajo Nation. They participated in the annual Alternative Spring Break trip. The students were based in Window Rock, Arizona. They collaborated with DNA-Peoples’ Legal Services, a vital legal aid service for the Navajo and Hopi communities. The goal was to offer tax assistance and gain hands-on exposure to tribal advocacy.
3L Liz Moriyama shared her experiences from the trip. “The trip had two main purposes: first, student-attendees ran a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic in Window Rock, Arizona,” she explained. “Through the clinic, we helped low-income community members prepare and submit their income taxes and had the opportunity to work with and get to know local taxpayers.”
The trip went beyond offering tax assistance. It served a deeper purpose in educating students on the unique legal challenges faced by the Navajo Nation. It also highlighted the socioeconomic challenges they face. “Student-attendees were exposed to tribal advocacy, legal aid work, and Navajo history and culture,” said Moriyama. The students engaged with attorneys who highlighted issues like predatory businesses, lack of infrastructure, and widespread poverty.
Moriyama noted, “For instance, we discovered that there are no IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers on the Reservation, an area the size of West Virginia.” The group also visited significant cultural landmarks. These included the Navajo Museum, the Navajo Code Talkers Monument, Canyon de Chelly, and the historic Hubbell Trading Post.
For Moriyama, this experience was transformative. “As a result, I’ve explored a variety of topics, student organizations, and other opportunities,” she said. “Federal Indian Law and tribal advocacy turned out to be a prominent, albeit unexpected, area of interest for me.”
When reflecting on her favorite part of the trip, Moriyama was quick to respond. “The people.” “It was a delight to spend time with and get to know the DNA attorneys and staff, as well as my WCL classmates,” she added. “Throughout our entire program, our DNA hosts generously shared their time, experience, and stories with us. They explained the nuances of Navajo culture, their path to DNA, and the importance of the incredible work that they do.”
For students considering future participation, Moriyama had this advice: “If you care about equality, the promotion of justice, and the human impact of the law, this trip is for you. Not only is there something for everyone, but you will be surprised by what you discover.”
Source:
- https://youtu.be/OtxpP2Hvq0I?si=oxhlAFkS3fSJe-iU
- https://www.american.edu/wcl/news-events/news/alternative-spring-break-a-student-s-journey-into-tribal-advocacy.cfm
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
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