By: Christy Skeen

The Phoenix College Tribal Court Advocacy Program (TCA), a unique legal studies program geared toward training tribal court advocates, recently placed 14 graduates from the Navajo Nation cohort program into prestigious legal entities throughout Arizona.

The creation of this cohort program was a result of a grant received by the Navajo Department of Workforce Development. The grant gave students from the Navajo Nation an opportunity to enroll in a comprehensive series of tribal court advocacy and legal assisting classes, which ultimately led to a TCA Certificate I. After eight months of intense classroom study, these students now embark on a new challenge – a two-month internship.

From the Prosecutor’s Office of the Navajo Nation to the State of Arizona Attorney General’s Office, these interns are putting their newly learned skills to the test. With a 40-hour a week schedule, graduates from the TCA cohort program are getting real world work experience.

"Our students have covered some very specific topics and have received specialized training not addressed in regular college survey courses," said Phoenix College Tribal Court Advocacy program director and professor, Roland McAllen-Walker. "These interns have received intense training on tribal court jurisdiction, federal Indian law, tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, tribal economic development and more."

Graduates receiving internships include:

Bobbie Baldwin – State of Arizona, Attorney General’s Office
Malcolm Begay – Navajo Nation, Solicitor’s Office
Terry Benally – Navajo Nation, Prosecutor’s Office
Krystal Bergen – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Loni Bernally-Hoyan – Navajo Department of Justice
Mary Ann Bullhead – Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Shawna Charlie - State of Arizona, Attorney General’s Office
Lavinia Leann Claw – Law Office of Victoria Miranda
Cleve Guy – Navajo Nation, Prosecutor’s Office
Davis Henio – Navajo Nation, Prosecutor’s Office
Lisa Iyua – DNA, Legal Services
Clarence Tsinigine – Navajo Nation, Prosecutor’s Office
Clarissa Yazzie – DNA, Legal Services

Mary Ann Bullhead who is interning for the Salt Rive Pima-Maricopa Indian Community hopes to gain more knowledge and hands on experience during her internship. Just within the first few weeks, she has conducted legal research for upcoming trials and followed up on cases and closing cases.

"Currently, I am working under the direct supervision of Tribal Court Advocate Yolanda Stacey," she said. "Watching her work is very inspiring. It is quite obvious the passion she has for the community and advocating for Native Americans. She is very informed of the law and when my internship is over, I will have a better understanding of the process of law in the Native communities."

Terry Benally also agrees that his experience with the Prosecutor’s Office of Navajo Nation will be beneficial as he plans to acquire a degree in Navajo Nation Law.

"I am working hard to accomplish the balance of cultural and western law," he said. "It is vital for me to help the people of the Navajo Nation know what rights they have and what is inherent as Indian people."

Walker believes that this experience is crucial for his students.

"This is just one last opportunity to give them a little more experience before they get out there in the real world," he said. "This is the best experience that they can get…its on-the-job training. They can now apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to an actual situation."

For more information on the Phoenix College Tribal Court Advocacy Program, please call (602) 285-7675.