Regular Members. Regular members are persons persons who are
(1) enrolled members/citizens of any federally or state-recognized Tribal Nation, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations;
(2) persons with ancestry from the original Native Hawaiian families as verified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (e.g., with documentation showing that the applicant is eligible for enrollment in any federally recognized Tribal Nation, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations, or eligible ro registration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs);
(3) descendants of a Tribal Nation who are recognized by their community; or
(4) other Indigenous persons as reviewed and determined by the Board of Directors for regular membership.
For all categories above, regular members are members who have been admitted to any state bar as a licensed attorney and maintain good standing in an active or inactive status.
Regular members shall pay dues and shall be eligible to vote and hold office or directorship in the Association and shall have all other rights, privileges, and duties attendant to membership.
Associate members: Each member of the class of Associate members shall be
(1) enrolled members/citizens of
any federally or state-recognized Tribal Nation, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations;
(2) persons with ancestry from the original Native Hawaiian families as verified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (e.g., with documentation showing that the applicant is eligible for enrollment in any federally recognized Tribal Nation,
including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and First Nations, or eligible ro registration with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs);
(3) descendants of a Tribal Nation who are recognized by their community; or
(4) other Indigenous persons as reviewed and determined by the Board of Directors for associate membership.
For all categories above, Associate members are also defined as legal professionals who are not regular members as they are not admitted to any state bar. This includes law students, JD graduates prior to admittance to any state bar, and those Tribal Court advocates, prosecutors, or judicial officers not admitted to any state bar.
Associate members shall pay dues, but shall not vote, hold office, or serve as a director of the Association, except as provided in Article V. section 2. Law students are exempt from paying dues, and shall not vote, hold office or serve as a director of the Association, except as provided in Article IV. Section 2. Associate members shall have all other rights,
privileges, and duties attendant to membership in the organization.
Special members: Each member of the class of Special members shall be those members not eligible for regular or associate membership who are licensed by any state bar in good standing, are JD graduates not admitted to any state bar, or are law students and are interested in the law directly relating to Tribal Nations. Special members shall pay dues as provided in Article XI, section 1, but shall not vote, hold office, or serve as a director of the Association. Special members shall have all other rights, privileges, and duties attendant to membership in the Association.
| Regular Members | Associate Members | Special Members | |
| Vote for Officers and Directors | Yes | No (except Associate Director) | No |
| Hold Office | Yes | No | No |
| Serve as a member of the Board of Directors | Yes | No (except Associate Director) | No |
| Serve on MNABA Committees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attend Board meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vote at Board meetings | No – except Board of Directors | No – except Board of Directors | No |
| Vote at annual meeting | Yes | No | No |