Indigenous Justice at the ACLU of NorCal

Vision
Using an approach that is guided by Indigenous core values, this work seeks justice for Indigenous people through healing and restorative advocacy within the legal, social, and political systems.

Mission
Indigenous Justice (IJ) work at the ACLU seeks to support and advance tribal sovereignty through culturally authentic and Indigenous-centered legal, policy, advocacy, and organizing work designed to dismantle colonial systems of oppression. IJ work seeks to uplift Indigenous peoples, communities, organizations, and movements through community-directed political, social, cultural, policy, and educational processes. Through this work, we aim to support Indigenous communities – and follow their lead – as they work to uphold their sovereignty, dignity, and autonomy. We strive to honor and, when possible, integrate Indigenous worldviews and values into our approaches and strategies.

Learn more about our indigenous justice advocacy, campaigns, and actions by exploring the drop down menus below.

The ACLU commits to Indigenous Justice work that:

Is led, defined, and informed by tribal communities, tribal governments, Indigenous people, native-led organizations, and movements, based on the needs of their communities; through long-term relationships of respect and mutuality that are sustained over time and counterbalance extractive and transactional experiences; and strives to advance these movements and the autonomy of Indigenous people and communities;
Affirms all land in what is currently known as the United States as Indigenous lands, upon which Indigenous people have been stewards since time immemorial; that the US was founded on the dispossession and genocide of Indigenous peoples; and that today, many people and institutions actively benefit from the erasure of Indigenous peoples and, as such, have a responsibility to redress our collective colonial history;
Centers Indigenous existence and identity, including the vast array and diaspora of Indigenous lived experiences across all realms of time--past, present, and future, taking care to understand the many ways that colonization and intergenerational trauma continues to impact Indigenous peoples and our own institutions and interpersonal relationships;
Recognizes that Indigenous legal and political systems and Tribal governance structures, as well as frameworks for and conceptions of justice, often differ from Western systems; approaches those differences with humility, curiosity, and respect for the distinct, independent political status and natural rights of Indigenous people and Nations; and respects tribal sovereignty as the right of tribal nations to make and be governed by their own laws and enter into relationships as sovereign nations;
Recognizes the urgent need to enforce and advance the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples; and in exercising their rights, affirms that Indigenous people shall be free of discrimination and oppression;
Honors the rich cultural, linguistic, spiritual, social and political diversity among Tribal Nations and that of each tribal nation as separate and unique; making space for Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing; acknowledging the core values that many Indigenous people share collectively, including (but not limited to): culture, tradition, history, elders, self-governance, language, land, interconnectedness, sacred sites/space, community, love, respect, food, creator, and kinship; and valuing the learning of cultural protocols unique to each tribe.
Recognizes that Indigenous Justice is not racial justice alone—it simultaneously overlaps with and is distinct from racial justice, seeking to address issues and injustices impacting Indigenous peoples through a complex mix of historical and political considerations, with an approach that puts sovereignty at the forefront.

We seek to further the protection, preservation, and access to ancestral lands, sacred sites, and other important landmarks critical to tribal sovereignty and Indigenous identity.

Read more about our advocacy for the Point Reyes National Seashore.
- Request for a Meeting with Secretary Haaland Re Point Reyes National Seashore General Management Plan Amendment
- Point Reyes National Seashore Sign-On Letter
We work in support of the Protect Juristac campaign. Juristac is the heart of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s ancestral lands and one of the Tribe’s last remaining sacred sites.

For thousands of years, the Amah Mutsun lived in a relationship of respect and reciprocity with the land. Today, private landowners are seeking permits to turn the site into an open-pit sand and gravel mine. Protecting sacred land and restoring indigenous sovereignty are foundational elements of the greater movement to confront and dismantle legacies of colonialism.

Through the joint Indigenous Education Advocacy Project, NCIDC will mobilize, train, and support tribal governments, Native-led organizations, community and tribal members, families, students and youth to build their capacity to exercise their educational civil rights and achieve successful student outcomes in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties through on-the-ground advocacy. This project is inspired by the vision and leadership of tribal partners and Native-led organizations. The IEAP will strive for education equity for Indigenous students in far Northern California and to combat disparities in outcomes facing Native students; support Indigenous leaders in articulating and implementing their visions of educational justice; create school climates that respect and honor Native students, traditions, and communities; and build power and self-advocacy capacity within tribal communities to hold Districts accountable for positive outcomes.

We acknowledge that the ACLU of Northern California exists on the occupied territory of over 100 tribes. This land has been stewarded by Indigenous people since time immemorial. Read the entirety of the ACLU NorCal’s land acknowledgement statement, as well as critical information about the process we engaged in to create this statement and our ongoing learning process to offer land acknowledgements at our internal and public events.

Our Indigenous Justice & Education Equity work seeks to end the use of public education systems as tools of oppression and cultural genocide; address disparities in funding, resources, excessive and discriminatory school discipline, and student outcomes in public schools; and advance school policies that provide for curriculum responsive to the unique cultures, languages, histories and tribal-governance systems of native students and protect students’ rights to practice traditional customs.

General

My School My Rights Know Your Rights

Eureka City Schools

Loleta Unified

Bishop Unified

Del Norte Unified

Del Norte USD

Klamath-Trinity JUSD

Clovis USD (Titman v. Clovis USD)

Read the ACLU of Northern California Board Resolution in support of Indigenous Justice work.

Indigenous Justice at the ACLU of NorCal

Guiding Principles

Protection and Preservation of Sacred Sites and Ancestral Lands

Mascots & Names

Partnership with the Northern California Indian Development Council

Land Acknowledgements

Indigenous Justice & Education Equity

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