Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Encyclopedia
The James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona has created an academic center for the study of indigenous peoples' cultures, histories, languages, laws, and human rights. The Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program furthers the research, training, and advocacy of Indian law
and international law
of indigenous peoples
.
Courses and clinical opportunities are offered in areas of law and policy concerning indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. Through clinical studies and direct advocacy under the supervision of the world's most distinguished scholars in the field, students and practitioners provide legal and other forms of assistance to local and international indigenous communities.
The IPLP Program has been involved in numerous indigenous legal issues around the country. Students and professors in the IPLP Program have assisted Central American Maya villages that have filed lawsuits in the Belize Supreme Court alleging that both the attorney general of Belize and the minister of Natural Resources and Environment had violated their property rights.
Faculty and students of the IPLP Program have worked in coordination with other groups representing Carrie Dann and recently deceased Mary Dann
, who have struggled against the federal government for decades over Western Shoshone
territory, in precedent-setting proceedings before the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It culminated with the Inter-American Commission issuing a report in which it condemned the United States for violating the Dann sisters' human rights.
In addition, IPLP Program personnel and affiliates have worked with the people of Awas Tingni
, a Mayangna (Sumo) indigenous community located on the Atlantic Coast in Nicaragua, for many years with the landmark case decided by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
, Mayagna (Sumo) Community of Awas Tingni v. Nicaragua. After a lengthy legal battle, the community successfully gained legal recognition of its customary land tenure.
Faculty
S. James Anaya
James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy
Robert A. Williams, Jr.
E. Thomas Sullivan Professor of Law and American Indian Studies
Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program
Melissa L. Tatum
Research Professor of Law
Associate Director, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Raymond D. Austin
Distinguished Jurist in Residence
Robert A. Hershey
Director, Indigenous Peoples Law Clinic
James C. Hopkins
Associate Clinical Professor, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Joseph P. Kalt & Lance G. Morgan
Adjunct Professors
Indian law
Law of India refers to the system of law in modern India. It is largely based on English common law because of the long period of British colonial influence during the period of the British Raj. Much of contemporary Indian law shows substantial European and American influence. Various legislation...
and international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
of indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
.
Courses and clinical opportunities are offered in areas of law and policy concerning indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. Through clinical studies and direct advocacy under the supervision of the world's most distinguished scholars in the field, students and practitioners provide legal and other forms of assistance to local and international indigenous communities.
The IPLP Program has been involved in numerous indigenous legal issues around the country. Students and professors in the IPLP Program have assisted Central American Maya villages that have filed lawsuits in the Belize Supreme Court alleging that both the attorney general of Belize and the minister of Natural Resources and Environment had violated their property rights.
Faculty and students of the IPLP Program have worked in coordination with other groups representing Carrie Dann and recently deceased Mary Dann
Mary Dann
The Dann Sisters, Mary Dann and her sister, Carrie were Western Shoshone spiritual leaders, ranchers, and cultural, spiritual rights and land rights activists. Carrie and Mary Dann filed a request for urgent action with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination...
, who have struggled against the federal government for decades over Western Shoshone
Western Shoshone
Western Shoshone comprises several Shoshone tribes that are indigenous to the Great Basin and have lands identified in the Treaty of Ruby Valley 1863. They resided in Idaho, Nevada, California, and Utah. The tribes are very closely related culturally to the Paiute, Goshute, Bannock, Ute, and...
territory, in precedent-setting proceedings before the Organization of American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States .Along with the...
and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It culminated with the Inter-American Commission issuing a report in which it condemned the United States for violating the Dann sisters' human rights.
In addition, IPLP Program personnel and affiliates have worked with the people of Awas Tingni
Awas Tingni
Awas Tingni is an indigenous Mayagna community of some 2,400 members on the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua, in the municipality of Waspam in the Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte. Awas Tingni is located near the junction of the Rio Wawa and the river Awas Tingni. In Mayagna, "Awas Tingni" means...
, a Mayangna (Sumo) indigenous community located on the Atlantic Coast in Nicaragua, for many years with the landmark case decided by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Inter-American Court of Human Rights
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is an autonomous judicial institution based in the city of San José, Costa Rica. Together with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, it makes up the human rights protection system of the Organization of American States , which serves to uphold and...
, Mayagna (Sumo) Community of Awas Tingni v. Nicaragua. After a lengthy legal battle, the community successfully gained legal recognition of its customary land tenure.
Faculty
S. James Anaya
S. James Anaya
S. James Anaya is the American James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law...
James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy
Robert A. Williams, Jr.
Robert A. Williams, Jr.
Robert A. Williams, Jr., is an American lawyer who is a notable author and legal scholar in the field of Federal Indian Law, International Law and Indigenous Peoples Rights, and Critical Race and Post Colonial Theory. Williams teaches at the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of the...
E. Thomas Sullivan Professor of Law and American Indian Studies
Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program
Melissa L. Tatum
Melissa L. Tatum
Melissa L. Tatum is the Research Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the University of Arizona's James E. Rogers College of Law. She previously served as Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Native American Law Center at the University of...
Research Professor of Law
Associate Director, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Raymond D. Austin
Distinguished Jurist in Residence
Robert A. Hershey
Director, Indigenous Peoples Law Clinic
James C. Hopkins
Associate Clinical Professor, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program
Joseph P. Kalt & Lance G. Morgan
Adjunct Professors
External links
- Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program - Official website
- ArizonaNativeNet