Fall 2022 Semester Law and Policy Fellows Depart and Reflect on Time with NCUIH

With the new semester of the school year well underway, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) bids farewell to the Law and Policy Fellows that worked with us throughout the semester. Both students were key collaborators within the work that NCUIH accomplished while they were with us. They attended hundreds of calls, wrote NCUIH communication materials such as blogs and newsletter posts, and were directly responsible for several discrete research projects. NCUIH wishes Adrianne and Palmer all the best as they continue their education and professional growth.

 “NCUIH treated me like one of their own and I couldn’t imagine the cost of having missed an opportunity like this.” – Palmer Scott (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)

 Palmer Scott (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) leaves NCUIH to finish his 3L year at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he is the Vice President of the campus’ Native American Law Student Associate (NALSA) and is the Moot Court Administrator for the National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA), among other extra curriculars. Here’s what he had to say about his fellowship with NCUIH:

“I am a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and an advocate for civil rights/social movements. As a third-year law student at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, I desired an externship at an organization that aligned with my morals and purpose. NCUIH was an easy contour to my passions for social justice. I attended a Native American Bar Association D.C. meeting with NCUIH where the CEO, Francys Crevier, asked for me to come work with them in the Fall. I applied to be a legal fellow while participating as a board member of the National Native American Law Students Association furthering my commitment to my communities.

I learned that around 70% of the Native American population lives in urban areas. The trust responsibility the federal government maintains with tribal nations extends into these urban areas. I am proud to witness Congress grant advance appropriations to the Indian Health Service, partly due to the advocacy and dedication of NCUIH team members. I also learned a lot of information regarding agency comment periods and the sweeping regulations involved in the healthcare industry.

The connections I made at NCUIH will last throughout my career. My supervisor Rori was always helpful, friendly, and supportive. The relations between a non-profit and the federal government were insightful. I witnessed many advocates from all over Indian Country speak about the issues their specific communities face. I plan to take the knowledge gained from the agency meetings and projects I completed with me for the rest of my career. NCUIH treated me like one of their own and I couldn’t imagine the cost of having missed an opportunity like this. Mvto!”

“The mentorship I received from the policy team proved invaluable to my professional and personal growth. I am passionate about advancing self-determination and sovereignty for Native peoples across the country and look forward to bringing this new knowledge and skillset into the next steps in my Indian law career to ensure all Natives are included in laws and policies that impact them and their wellbeing.” – Adrianne Elliott (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma)

Adrianne Elliot (Cherokee Nation) was able to extend her summer Law and Policy Fellowship throughout the fall semester. NCUIH is honored that she wished to continue working with us, and that she was able to continue her invaluable work on behalf of urban Native Americans across the nation. To read her reflection from the summer, click here.

About NCUIH Law and Policy Fellowship

Available to undergraduate, graduate and law students as remote work, this opportunity allows students to work part-time throughout the semester, accommodating for classes and availability, or full time during the summer. Internships and Fellowships are available for academic credit or for compensation, dependent on funding. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about what it means to be a NCUIH Law and Policy Fellow, please visit the NCUIH Internship and Fellowship Program webpage to learn more about the opportunities NCUIH offers.

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