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Public Program: Thurlow M. Gordon 1906 Lecture - "Indigenous Peoples, Economic Recovery, and the Reform of the US Federal Indian Law" with Robert Odawi Porter

Please join us on Thursday October 8th at 4:30 PM in Rocky 003 for the Thurlow M. Gordon 1906 Lecture, “Indigenous Peoples, Economic Recovery, and the Reform of US Federal Indian Law,” by Robert Odawi Porter.
 
American indigenous peoples are afflicted by chronic poverty and confront challenges in ensuring their distinct identities. Widespread poverty is a consequence of systematic efforts by the US government to suppress tribal sovereignty and assimilate the Indian populations, thus preventing economic recovery. Robert Odawi Porter is a Senior Advisor at Dentons law firm, where he represents Indians, Indian nations, and Indian-owned businesses. Mr. Porter has dedicated his 20-year legal career to defending and increasing the rights of indigenous peoples, nations, and their businesses. He is renowned in the field of American Indian law and will bring his profound experiences and insight to a lecture in Rockefeller 003 on October 8th. 
 
An attorney, political leader, and expert scholar in the legal intricacies that confront more than 5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) people, Mr. Porter plays an essential role in advocating on behalf of and representing many AI/AN people.
 
Robert Odawi Porter, Attorney, Scholar, and Former Tribal President.
 

Mr. Porter, who was raised in Nation’s Allegany Territory, earned degrees from Syracuse University and Harvard Law School. Prior to joining Dentons in January 2013, he worked for the Seneca Nation as the attorney general and a senior policy advisor for nine years. He was ultimately elected the 67th president of the Seneca Nation of Indians (2010-2012). Furthermore, Mr. Porter has served as a tenured law professor at the University of Kansas, the University of Iowa, and Syracuse University. Over his career, he has prolifically contributed to the body of writing on indigenous law, authoring several scholarly publications.

 
-Written by Olivia O'Hagan '16