Louis Manuel: Senate set to make history in Keith Harper vote

Monday, June 2, 2014  

Keith Harper, Cherokee Nation citizen and nominee for U.S. Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Louis Manuel, the chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community of Arizona, supports Senate confirmation of Keith Harper to serve as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council:

I can speak firsthand to Harper's capabilities, dedication and integrity. Years ago, the Ak-Chin Indian Community was struggling to have a voice in the development in and around our reservation. Harper and his team devised a comprehensive plan to secure rights for our community so we had a much larger say in matters impacting our people.

In addition, when our tribe decided to take over programs through self-governance laws, Harper and his team were critical in helping us work through that process. This kind of empowerment is so critical to preserving culture and aiding tribes in facing economic challenges.

Harper also has great familiarity with the United Nations, having served as counsel to the National Congress of American Indians in its negotiations of the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

So it is no surprise that every tribe in Arizona and more than 130 tribes and tribal organizations from across the country have taken the time to send in letters urging Harper's swift confirmation.

There are also more than 30 human-rights and civil-rights organizations that have urged the Senate to confirm him so he can begin his important work at the United Nations.

Get the Story:
Louis Manuel: U.S. Senate poised to appoint Indian and make history (The Arizona Republic 6/2)

Bill John Baker: Keith Harper makes history for Cherokee Nation (5/30)
NCAI Presidents: Confirm Keith Harper to ambassador-rank job (5/29)
Senate to move forward with Keith Harper nomination to UN job (5/23)
Sen. Tester presses for confirmation of three Indian nominees (5/12)
Civil rights leaders press for confirmation of Keith Harper to UN job (03/31)
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Gyasi Ross: Keith Harper makes history as nominee for UN post (3/4)
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Jim Gray: Keith Harper ready to serve in UN human rights post (2/27)
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