OU American Indian Law Review
University of Oklahoma
About OU American Indian Law Review
Founded in 1973 by dedicated law students at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, the American Indian Law Review has evolved into a vital institution serving Native American legal interests and indigenous advocacy nationwide. What began as a student-driven initiative has grown into a comprehensive scholarly forum that bridges academic research with practical legal concerns affecting tribal nations and indigenous peoples worldwide.
At its core, the American Indian Law Review reflects a deep commitment to amplifying Native American voices and perspectives within legal scholarship. The organization brings together approximately fifty law students each academic year who share a passion for understanding and advancing the rights of indigenous peoples. This collaborative student-centered approach ensures that emerging legal professionals develop meaningful expertise in Indian law while contributing original research and analysis to the broader legal community.
The Review's impact extends throughout the academic and legal professions through its multi-faceted programming. Beyond publishing two issues annually, the organization hosts one of the nation's largest symposia on Native American law, creating a gathering space for scholars, practitioners, tribal leaders, and advocates to engage in substantive dialogue about pressing legal issues. The annual writing competition further demonstrates the organization's commitment to developing the next generation of Indian law scholars, offering law students from across North America the opportunity to contribute their voices to critical conversations about tribal sovereignty, federal Indian law, and indigenous rights.
Located within the University of Oklahoma College of Law, the American Indian Law Review benefits from the institution's historical significance in civil rights and its position as Oklahoma's only public law school. This setting provides the organization with institutional support and academic resources while maintaining its independent mission to serve as a nationwide scholarly forum for analysis of legal developments affecting Native Americans and indigenous peoples. Through its publications, symposia, and competitions, the Review continues to foster meaningful engagement with Indian law and support the legal community's understanding of complex issues facing tribal nations.