California Indian Legal Services joined Live Well San Diego as a recognized partner on July 26, 2016. California Indian Legal Services became a Live Well San Diego partner because of its commitment to improve the lives of Native Americans by providing free and low-cost legal services to low-income individuals and Indian communities throughout the state through grants from the Legal Services Corporation, the California State Bar, Legal Services Trust Fund and other federal and state authorities.
Since 1967, California Indian Legal Services has improved the lives of thousands of Indian families, children and individuals. California Indian Legal Services focuses on matters of Indian law and provide representation in cases that involve issues unique to Native Americans. The mission of California Indian Legal Services is to protect and advance Indian rights, foster Indian self-determination, and facilitate tribal nation building.
California Indian Legal Services is geographically diverse, maintaining four office locations throughout California. They deploy advocates to represent both tribal organizations and Native American individuals. Within the County of San Diego, there are 18 Native Indian reservations that California Indian Legal Services serves – more reservations than any other county in the United States. California Indian Legal Services supports positive change among their clients by providing information and resources to tribal communities to inspire them to take action and responsibility for their health, safety and well-being. By offering trainings and outreach to the community, they empower individuals, tribes and organizations to advocate for themselves, and these trainings, in turn, facilitate a greater understanding of Native Americans, their culture and their quality of life.
Through their partnership with Live Well San Diego, California Indian Legal Services aims to collaborate more with others throughout the county to make an even greater positive impact on Indian communities both on reservations and in urban environments.
