Heather Tanana

Heather Tanana is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, with affiliations at the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on tribal water rights, Indigenous health policy, and environmental law, particularly addressing systemic inequities in water access and climate resilience for Indigenous communities. Tanana leads initiatives like the Water & Tribe Initiative’s Universal Access to Clean Water project, advocating for tribal sovereignty and resource justice. She has received accolades from legal and environmental organizations, including the Utah State Bar and the American Bar Association.

Education

• Juris Doctor, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (2010)
• Master of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University (2012)
• Bachelor of Arts in Biology modified with Psychology, Dartmouth College (2004)

Research Interests

Tanana’s work bridges law and public health, emphasizing tribal water infrastructure, Indigenous health equity, and federal Indian law. She examines how climate change exacerbates water insecurity in Indian Country and advocates for policy reforms to ensure equitable resource access. Her scholarship also addresses legal frameworks for tribal sovereignty in energy and environmental governance.

Recent Articles

Her publications analyze tribal water rights, climate adaptation strategies, and legal barriers to Indigenous health equity. Recent works include critiques of water rights settlements and calls for regulatory reforms to address systemic inequities in water access.

Awards & Recognition

• Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society (2012)
• Recognition from the Utah State Bar’s Natural Resources & Environmental Law Section
• Recognition from the American Bar Association’s Environment, Energy, and Resources Section

Advising & Grants

Tanana collaborates with organizations like the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and serves on boards such as Western Resource Advocates. She actively participates in diversity initiatives within legal education and environmental law.

Labs & Teams

She leads the Water & Tribe Initiative’s clean water project and contributes to interdisciplinary teams addressing tribal environmental justice issues.