Attorney and Scholar Walter Echo

October 17, 2013
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Walter Echo-Hawk

Walter Echo-Hawk, an attorney, tribal judge, author, activist and law professor, will discuss “Human Rights in Native America” Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. in room 178 of the University of Wyoming College of Law Building.

Echo-Hawk’s talk, part of Law Week at the UW College of Law Oct. 21-25, begins with a welcome reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by his presentation. Echo-Hawk will sign books following his lecture.

His talk, titled “In the Light of Justice: Human Rights in Native America,” is based upon his most recent book, “In the Light of Justice: The Rise of Human Rights in Native America & the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

Echo-Hawk is noted for representing Indian tribes on important legal issues, such as treaty rights, water rights, religious freedom, prisoner rights and repatriation rights. His career spans the pivotal years when Indian tribes reclaimed their land, sovereignty and pride in a stride toward freedom.

He teaches at the University of Tulsa College of Law; is a counselor with Crowe & Dunlevy, one of Oklahoma’s oldest and largest law firms; and assists the firm’s Indian law and gaming practice group.

Echo-Hawk received Oklahoma’s “Governor’s Commendation” from Gov. Brad Henry for contributions on behalf of Native cultures;  the Federal Bar Association’s “Judge Sarah Hughes Civil Liberties Award” for civil rights work; and Oklahoma State University’s “Distinguished American Indian Alumni.”

Echo-Hawk appears in film and on radio to educate the American public about tribal life, culture and indigenous justice. He appeared in “The Development of NAGPRA,” a film about the Native American repatriation movement.

UW Law Week is an annual event sponsored by the Potter Law Club and other College of Law student organizations, with support from the Associated Students of UW. The UW Department of American Indian Studies and the College of Law sponsor Echo-Hawk’s presentation.

For information about Echo-Hawk, contact Anetra Parks, UW College of Law, at (307) 766-4074 or email aparks1@uwyo.edu.

For more information about Law Week, email UW law student Baend Buus, Potter Law Club public relations officer, at bbuus@uwyo.edu.

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