In recognition of his final year serving on the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the University of Colorado Law School hosted Chief Wilton Littlechild, who delivered a public lecture on Tuesday, March 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Wittemyer Courtroom. Chief Littlechild is an honorary chief of the Maskwacis Cree First Nation, a former senator in the Canadian Parliament, and a decorated advocate for the advancement of indigenous peoples’ rights around the world.
In addressing the Colorado community, Chief Littlechild drew upon his three decades of service with the United Nations, sharing his experience as an indigenous chief and lawyer who has worked both nationally and internationally to advance indigenous peoples’ rights. With a special focus on indigenous entrepreneurship, he also spoke on the importance of fostering indigenous access to business and financial services in our increasingly global economy.
Chief Littlechild’s presentation closed the two-day Expert Seminar on Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples’ Entrepreneurship, which took place at the University of Colorado Law School on March 6 and 7. The seminar convened experts from around the world to inform the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on global issues developments in indigenous entrepreneurship, business, and access to financial institutions. The Expert Mechanism will then draft a report for the U.N. Human Rights Council based on their findings. All five of the members of Expert Mechanism, staff from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and experts on indigenous entrepreneurship were in attendance.
“We are honored and thrilled to host this esteemed group of world leaders and scholars at Colorado Law,” said Dean S. James Anaya. “We embrace the opportunity to take part in these important conversations surrounding the rights of indigenous peoples, and we look forward to continuing to be part of the global discussion.”
Read Chief Littlechild’s full bio here.
If you have questions, please contact Alexandra Bray Kinsella at the University of Colorado Law School, alexandra.kinsella@colorado.edu.
Photo Credit: UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré.