Native American
How We Help > Programs and Projects > Native American
Native American Program
Manager: Jonathan Seagrass
Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Native American Program provides free civil legal assistance to Native Americans either living in Nebraska or having a legal issue pending in a tribal, state, or administrative court located in Nebraska. All Native American Program attorneys are licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska and in the Omaha, Ponca, Winnebago, and Santee Sioux Nation tribal courts. The Native American Program also provides free legal assistance in criminal cases filed in tribal court.
We assist in a variety of ways; however, we presently have three primary programs.
Common Legal Issues We Help With
Children and Families
- Assisting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking
- Protection Orders
- Custody/Divorce
- Full Faith and Credit of Tribal Court Orders
- Simple Estate Planning
Debt
- Bankruptcy
- Collections
- Unfair Debt Practices
Income and Benefits
- Social Security Disability
- Medicaid
- SNAP
Housing
- Evictions
- Public Housing
- Housing Conditions
In Person
Our attorneys conduct “office hours” throughout Nebraska so that Native Americans wanting to speak to an attorney can do so face to face, if they wish. No appointment is necessary, however office hours are subject to change. If you plan to meet us during office hours, you may call 1-888-991-9921 to ask if the office hours have been rescheduled.
Santee Sioux Nation
Once a month on the Court’s civil court day at the Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Court building, 207 His Red Nation St., Santee, NE 68760.
Contact the Court at 402-857-2812 to find out when the next civil court day is scheduled.
Winnebago Tribe
4th Tuesday of the month from 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.
at the Winnebago Senior Center
103 Beck St., Winnebago, NE 68071
Lincoln
NUIHC Lincoln
Every other Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at 2331 Fairfield St., Lincoln, NE 68521* Call 402-434-7177 to check the schedule.
Ponca Lincoln Health and Wellness Center
Every other Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 1600 Windhoek Lane, Lincoln, NE 68512* Call 531-248-3030 to check the schedule.
Ralston
Every other Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Ponca Transit Building, 5701 S. 85th Circle, Ralston, NE 68127*
Call 531-248-3030 to check the schedule.
Chadron
1st Tuesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
at NWCAP, 270 Pine Street, Chadron, NE 69337
Hay Springs
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at the Sharing and Caring Center,
N. 1st St., Hay Springs, NE 69347
Rushville
3rd Tuesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
at North West Community Action Partnership (NWCAP),
207 S. Main Street, Rushville, NE 69360
Scottsbluff
4th Tuesday of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lakota Lutheran Center, 1200 E. Overland, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Valentine
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
at St. Johns Church, 372 N. Main, Valentine, NE 69201
*Native Medical-Legal Partnership office hours
Native American AccessLine
The AccessLine is a toll-free legal assistance hotline. Any Native American may call the AccessLine to request advice, representation, or other legal assistance.
Domestic Violence Initiative
Through this program, we provide free legal advice and representation to Native American survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. All services are strictly confidential. We also work with tribal nations to increase community awareness and understanding of these crimes, and to improve community response. As part of this effort, we can make presentations and conduct trainings, including but not limited to:
Trauma-Informed Approaches
Legal Resources Available to Survivors of Violence
Impact of Violence on Youth
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, and Stalking against Native Americans
Full Faith and Credit of Tribal Court Orders
For more information regarding presentations or training, contact Kirby Williams.
Native Medical-Legal Partnerships
We work with the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s Health Services, and the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition to improve the health of Native Americans though assistance with health-harming legal issues. Patients of these facilities can ask for a referral to Legal Aid for advice or representation with these issues. Health-harming legal issues can include, but are not limited to:
Being Denied or Terminated From Social Security/Disability benefits
Medicaid denials
TANF
Estate Planning
Lack of Health Insurance
Food Stamps
Evictions
Other Housing Issues
How We Help:
We provide information, referrals, advice, self-help services, limited assistance and representation to qualifying low-income Native Americans either living in Nebraska or having a legal issue pending in a tribal, state, or administrative court located in Nebraska. The type of assistance we provide depends upon your situation, the legal issue and Legal Aid’s resources. Our services are free to those who qualify.
How to apply for Services:
Native American AccessLine®
Toll-free: 1-800-729-9908
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to Noon CST
