MAIBA Information

MAIBA has been and continues to be committed to building and maintaining relationships with Twin Cities urban Indian organizations and the 11 tribal communities in Minnesota. The organization rotates its meetings between Twin Cities urban Indian organization meeting facilities and the meeting facilities of the 11 tribes. Over the years MAIBA members have been active participants of the Minnesota Supreme Court's Racial Bias Task Force and Implementation Committee, the Foster Care Task Force, the Policy-Community Relations Committee, the Minnesota Tribal Court/State Court Forum, and other committees and boards serving the bench and bar of Minnesota. A number of MAIBA's founding and current members serve as judges for the State of Minnesota and for Tribes. Additionally, the MAIBA has built a mutually beneficial relationship with the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) and other bar associations of color. A number of MAIBA members served on the MSBA Board of Governors. Most recently, the MSBA reorganized and a MAIBA representative participates in the governing structure with the other bar associations of color. MAIBA continues to sponsor continuing legal education and other educational programs with an annual continuing legal education program. Numerous members of MAIBA lecture nationally and regional on Indian law topics, providing specific training for district court judges, federal magistrates and other lawyers. The organization and its members were instrumental in establishing the Indian Child Welfare Law Center of Minneapolis, which provides legal services to children and families on issues relating to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. In 1997, MAIBA began its annual golf tournament to fund a scholarship program for American Indian law students in the four Minnesota law schools. MAIBA awarded its first scholarship in December, 1998 and continues this tradition today. MAIBA continues to strive to fulfill its mission.