Many of the sacred lands upon which federally recognized tribes and traditional practitioners depend for spiritual fulfillment, and cultural and political identity lie outside the physical boundaries of reservations – mostly, but not exclusively, on federal lands. In Alaska, where only one tribe has sovereignty over some of its traditional lands, and for non-federally recognized tribes, this is especially true. With growing population pressures, increased interest in outdoor recreation, and continued natural resource development, the Federal Government and attorneys, more generally, frequently face the question posed by this year’s essay competition, “How should sacred lands on federal lands be protected in light of the Bear Lodge Multiple Use Association v. Babbitt?”    

The Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities and the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources have designed this year's environmental justice essay competition to: (1) increase the level of discourse and understanding about the protection of American Indian/Alaska Native cultural-spiritual resources and issue of environmental justice; and (2) encourage student scholarship to the field. The Committees gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the law firm of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., and Benjamin Wilson, Esq., and Steven Herman, Esq.