We hope you can join us in New Orleans this month for our two sessions at the National Congress of American Indians 80th Annual Convention & Marketplace.

Operationalizing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the Context of Conservation and Development
Monday, November 13 – 3:15 PM (CST) – Room 256

Renowned tribal leader, attorney, author, and speaker, Walter Echo-Hawk, will discuss examples of tribal law, intergovernmental policy, and programs that operationalize FPIC in the context of conservation and development affecting Indigenous Peoples’ lands, waters, and biodiversity. Echo-Hawk also will lead a discussion with NCAI participants regarding stewardship of the natural world and norms of consent. The workshop aims to build awareness and to support tribes who may wish to consider creating their own measures for implementing FPIC.


Advancing Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Tuesday, November 14 – 3:15 PM (CST) – Room 242

The Coalition of Large Tribes and the Tribal Justice Clinic at the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law will join The Implementation Project for a panel discussion on achieving the aims of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the national, international, and tribal levels.

Panelists will include:

  • Ben Barnes, Chief, Shawnee Tribe and Chairperson, United Indian Nations of Oklahoma;
  • Lisa White Pipe, Councilwoman, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and Treasurer, Coalition of Large Tribes;
  • Ira Matt (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), Director, Office of Tribal and Indigenous Peoples, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation;
  • Marvin Weatherwax, Chairman, Coalition of Large Tribes; Member, Blackfeet Tribal Business Council;
  • Heather Whiteman Runs Him (Apsaalooke/Crow), Associate Clinical Professor and Tribal Justice Clinic Director, University of Arizona Rogers College of Law

Moderated by:

  • Kristen Carpenter, Council Tree Professor of Law and Director of the American Indian Law Program at the University of Colorado and Co-Director of The Implementation Project.
  • Sue Noe, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund, and Co-Director of The Implementation Project

The panel will discuss issues including federal Indian boarding schools; international negotiations regarding Indigenous Peoples’ intellectual and cultural property rights; opportunities to advance cultural rights through UNESCO programs; domestic protection of sacred sites and traditional knowledge, and Indigenous Peoples’ participation at the United Nations.

If you have any questions about registration, reach out to us at Declaration@narf.org and see more of our work at The Implementation Project Website

Join Us At NCAI’s 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace For Our Breakout Sessions This November