About MILS
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In 2025, MILS provided legal advice or representation in 473 separate matters, which is up from last year. Our case numbers fluctuate from year to year depending on funding, staffing levels, and the number of non-case projects MILS undertakes during the year. Also, the time a particular case takes depends on the type of legal issues involved and the amount of time travel to a particular court or reservation takes. Some legal issues can be resolved with less than 3 staff hours invested and some take over 3,000 hours.
2025 - 473 cases
2024 - 435 cases
2023 - 666 cases
2022 - 498 cases
2021 - 320 cases
2020 - 311 cases
2019 - 340 cases
2018 - 378 cases
2017 - 423 cases
2016 - 369 cases
2015 - 459 cases
2014 - 399 cases
2013 - 441 cases
2012 - 382 cases
2011 - 189 cases
2010 - 235 cases
2009 - 297 cases
2008 - 288 cases
2007 - 204 cases
2006 - 164 cases
2005 - 136 cases
2004 - 222 cases
2003 - 298 cases
2002 - 153 cases
2001 - 94 case
2000 - 104 cases
Vision Statement
MILS envisions a time when all Native Americans and community members have ready access to legal services to meet their basic needs and where everyone can enjoy their rights and be treated fairly in their pursuit of justice.
Core Values
Empowerment and Respect
Our legal advocates work in partnership with our clients, treating them with respect, encouraging them to actively participate in decision-making, and pursuing client-defined goals.
Expertise and Diligence
Our legal advocates are experts in their areas of specialization and zealous in their representation of clients, possessing the requisite knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation necessary to effectively advocate for the prompt resolution of our clients’ interests.
Cultural Competence
Our legal advocates are dedicated to providing culturally competent services.
For Our Staff
We treat each other with respect and compassion. We are a stronger force when we work together.
Stewardship
MILS’ board and staff are committed to the careful stewardship of the resources that have been entrusted to us.
MILS funds our services through donations, contracts, and grants. Currently, about 1/3 of our funding comes from federal grants, subgrants, or pass-through grants. These include funding through the Department of Justice (BJA-TCCLA, VAWA, & VOCA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (CSBG & ACF-ANA). Accordingly:
This website is funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
This website is supported in whole or in part through a grant from the Administration for Native Americans within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Administration for Native Americans.
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