This year, a group of AUWCL students spent their spring break at the Navajo Nation, participating in the annual Alternative Spring Break trip. The students were based in Window Rock and collaborated with DNA-Peoples’ Legal Services – the Navajo and Hopi legal aid service – to provide tax assistance.    

3L Liz Moriyama shared her experiences from the trip. “The trip had two main purposes: first, student-attendees ran a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic in Window Rock, Arizona,” she explained. “Through the clinic, we helped low-income community members prepare and submit their income taxes and had the opportunity to work with and get to know local taxpayers.”    

The trip also served a second purpose: “Student-attendees were exposed to tribal advocacy, legal aid work, and Navajo history and culture,” said Moriyama. The students had the opportunity to engage with attorneys, discussing the unique challenges faced by tribal communities, such as predatory businesses, lack of infrastructure, and widespread poverty.  

Moriyama noted, “For instance, we discovered that there are no IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers on the Reservation, an area the size of West Virginia.” They also visited cultural sites like the Navajo Museum, the Navajo Code Talkers Monument, Canyon de Chelly, and the Hubbell Trading Post.    

Moriyama was inspired to spend her spring break in this service because she hadn’t come to law school knowing what specific field of law she wanted to practice. “As a result, I’ve explored a variety of subject areas, student organizations, and other opportunities,” she said. “Federal Indian Law and tribal advocacy turned out to be a prominent, albeit unexpected, area of interest for me.”    

When asked about her favorite part of the trip, Moriyama replied, “The people.” “It was a delight to spend time with and get to know the DNA attorneys and staff, as well as my WCL classmates,” she added. “Throughout our entire program, our DNA hosts generously shared their time, experience, and stories with us. They explained the nuances of Navajo culture, their path to DNA, and the importance of the incredible work that they do.” She was also grateful for the WCL student-attendees, saying, “They threw themselves into the work and were ready and willing to learn. The experience was a joy from start to finish.”    

For those considering participating in the future, Moriyama offered this advice: “If you care about equality, the promotion of justice, and the human impact of the law, this trip is for you. Not only is there something for everyone, but you may be surprised by what you discover.”