Hannah Ahders '25 Joins American Indian Law Program as 2025-26 Fellow

The American Indian Law Program (AILP) at the University of Colorado Law school is thrilled to welcome Hannah Ahders ’25 as the 2025-26 AILP fellow. In this role, Ahders will work with AILP faculty, students, and community members in support of American Indian and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. 

“I am thrilled to have Hannah join us as the new AILP fellow,” said Kristen Carpenter, Council Tree Professor of Law and Director of the American Indian Law Program. “As a law student, Hannah made a remarkable impact through her dedication and contributions to the program. We can’t imagine a more fitting person to carry forward AILP’s mission in this role.”  

Previous fellows include Daniel Cordalis ’11, founder and leader of the Tribal Water Institute at the Native American Rights Fund; Dr. Jacquelyn Jampolsky ’14, founding partner of AIM Law; Edyael Casaperalta ’18, Legal Advisor to Commissioner Gomez at the Federal Communications Commission; Kevin Harlow-Miller ’20, Associate Attorney at K. Scott Hamerslough P.C.; Ellie Thurston ’22,  Attorney-Advisor in the Cross-Cutting Issues Law Office within the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Emiliano Salazar ’23 Legal Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

Founded in 1992, the AILP at Colorado Law remains one of the world’s top programs in American Indian and Indigenous Peoples’ legal issues. The program offers a full curriculum, clinic, and certificate in Indian law; as well as an active program of research, pro bono work, and conferences, providing unparalleled learning opportunities. AILP students run Colorado Law’s Native American Law Students Association, and our AILP alumni are practicing in tribal and federal governments, private and public interest law firms, and various international organizations. 

Through the faculty, the AILP maintains partnerships with numerous American Indian tribes and Indigenous Peoples, as well as the Native American Rights Fund, Grand Canyon Trust, Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Commission, Federal Bar Association, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the United Nations. 

Learn more about Hannah in this Q&A!  

What are you most looking forward to in your role as AILP fellow?  

HA: I am most looking forward to working with my heroes. I consider Professors Carpenter, Anaya, Racehorse, and Stanton to be leading the field of American Indian Law by focusing on a rights-based approach to justice. It’s an absolute privilege for me to work alongside them and to support their work. I think the fellowship also provides unparalleled opportunities to work with Indigenous leaders like President Fawn Sharp, Professor Sheryl Lightfoot, and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Dr. Albert Barume. I look forward to learning from them all. 

What inspired you to pursue this position?  

HA: Before I came to Colorado Law as a student, I focused my career on nonprofit and social justice work. I was concerned that I wouldn’t find my niche in law school because I am so motivated by my passion for transformative social change, which is often at odds with our domestic court system. However, after taking American Indian Law and International Law classes, I found that I could forge a career that would allow me to continue working for social change while grounding in my Indigenous identity. I consider the fellowship as both the perfect opportunity to apply what I’ve learned about Indigenous Peoples and international law, and the perfect opportunity to give back to the program that has given me so much purpose. 

What was the most formative part of your time as a Colorado Law student?   

HA: Taking American Indian Law classes sparked my interest in the legal field, but working as a student attorney in the American Indian Law Clinic assured me that this is the legal field that I am most passionate about. I had the fortune of working with international clients who challenged my own perceptions of law and justice. I experienced profound satisfaction from enhancing my research, writing, and personal skills in international law. Most importantly, Clinic Director Christina Stanton’s mentorship helped to transform me into a confident and sensitive advocate. 

What sort of career do you hope to pursue after your fellowship has concluded?  

 HA: I think I want to do a little bit of everything, which is not hard in the field of American Indian Law. I’ve considered serving as general counsel for my Tribe, working for an Indigenous rights organization, opening my own firm, teaching, and running for office. I hope I have time to do it all! 

In your role with the AILP so far, what have you enjoyed most? 

HA: Again, I have to show gratitude for the incredible people in this program and at the school. It’s not easy to transition from student to professional while surrounded by former professors and old classmates. But the mentorship I’ve received so far, especially from the former Fellow Milo Salazar, have made me feel respected and valued from day one. I look forward to developing my skills and advocating for Indigenous Peoples rights with my new team.

Keep up with the latest AILP news by following the program on LinkedIn and Facebook, and feel free to contact ailp@colorado.edu for any questions about the fellowship or the program.