New Tribal Law Program Engages Navajo Nation

Like many rural areas of the United States, the 26,000-square-mile Navajo Nation situated in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah is a legal desert, short on experts with legal expertise.  

Now Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona, one of the nation’s largest, oldest and most historic tribally controlled higher ed institutions, is aiming to address the shortages with a first-of-its-kind degree program in Navajo law. 

The new online Bachelor of Arts in Navajo Law program that was launched in the fall by Diné College in partnership with Arizona State University is the first tribal college program to focus on legal issues of import to the Navajo community. 

Areas of study in the two-year program include governance, natural resources, business, economic development and child protection. 

“We wanted a program that can offer a clear pathway to opportunities for students at Navajo Nation,” said Patrick Blackwater, dean of the School of Business and Social Sciences at Diné College. 

Blackwater and others began planning for the new program prior to the Covid pandemic, receiving approval for the initiative from the Diné College Board of Regents in May 2024. 

Agreeing to start small, the program kicked off in September 2024 with its first class of 17 students, who are now training with help from Diné College and Arizona State University instructors to become legal professionals in positions such as legal scholars, advocates, policymakers and educators. 

The program is unique in part because of its tribal law focus. 

“These students will gain understanding about our natural fundamental law and how it can be applied to the way we observe the universe,” said Blackwater. 

It also will be the first to offer students, during their senior year of the program, hands-on immersive experience at Navajo Nation, including in government positions.  

Giving back to community and contributing to preservation and advancement of Navajo Nation tradition and sovereignty also are hallmarks.  

Students will have the option of transferring to Arizona State University’s law program and can receive assistance in preparing for the Navajo Nation bar exam.  

However, over the long term, even more is envisioned for the innovative program that is expected to grow in scope, size and purpose. 

“We hope it will become its own stand-alone initiative and school that will one day graduate attorneys who are versed in Navajo law,” said Blackwater. 

Diné College is among 26 tribal colleges, and the second ever to be accredited, beginning in 1976, by HLC. 

“Innovation is vital to our shared goal of attaining continuous improvement in higher education,” said Barbara Gellman Danley, president of HLC.   

“We applaud Diné College and Arizona State University for their innovation in creating a program that has the potential to take learning at one of our tribal colleges to new heights.”