Published: March 13, 2017
2016 CU Law Faculty

On March 17-18, Dean S. James Anaya and University of Colorado Law School professors will participate in an interdisciplinary symposium hosted by the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies exploring ways in which indigenous narratives are spoken, heard, and acted upon in legal settings.

Throughout the two-day event, experts in American Indian law across academia, Indian tribes, law firms, and activist groups will focus on these guiding questions:

  • What does it mean for law to solicit Native testimony?
  • Who tells such stories, with what authority, and with what protections and possible consequences?
  • How do traditions and stories get reshaped in legal contexts? How might storytelling challenge law?

The symposium will close with a special session, “Indian Country and the Trump Administration: Law, Policy, and Activism,” featuring Dean S. James Anaya and professors Kristen Carpenter, Rick Collins, Carla Fredericks, Sarah Krakoff, and Charles Wilkinson on Saturday, March 18, 3:45-5:30 p.m., in Wittemyer Courtroom.

They will be joined by Troy Eid and Jennifer Weddle, shareholders at Greenberg Traurig, LLP and co-chairs of the firm’s American Indian law practice group; Maymangwa Flying Earth, attorney advisor for the Office of General Counsel at the U.S. Small Business Administration; and Theresa Halsey, producer and host of KGNU Community Radio’s Indian Voices.

Additionally, Professor Carla Fredericks and Crystal Echohawk will speak on “Reclaiming Native Truth: Taking on Dominant Narratives and Contemporary Struggles” on Friday, March 17, 3:05 p.m., in room 235 of the University Memorial Center. Professor Kristen Carpenter will participate in a panel discussion, “Studies in Cherokee Language, Law, and Lifeways,” on Saturday, March 18, 10:30 a.m., in Wittemyer Courtroom. 

The symposium is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

See the full schedule of events.

This event was made possible with generous support from the Innovative Seed Grant Program of CU’s Research & Innovation Office.

Sponsors include the American Indian Law Program at Colorado Law; Anthropology; Art & Art History; Center of the American West; Center for Values & Social Policy; Ethnic Studies; Geography; History; Linguistics; Political Science, and Religious Studies.

Pictured (L-R): Kristen Carpenter, Rick Collins, Dean S. James Anaya, Charles Wilkinson, Carla Fredericks, Sarah Krakoff