Jodi Gillette and Ambassador Keith Harper at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 22, 2015. Photo from U.S. Mission in Geneva / Facebook

Ambassador Keith Harper is addressing violence against indigenous women and girls in his work at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Harper, a member of the Cherokee Nation, hosted Jodi Gillette to Geneva, Switzerland, at a panel discussion on the issue. Gillette, the former Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House, helped secure passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Violence Against Women Act to strengthen tribal justice systems and address high rates of violence against Native women.

“The United States recognized that the jurisdiction and powers of tribes had been so diminished over time that Native American victims, especially women and children, faced impossible pathways to safety and justice," Gillette said at the panel, Indian Country Today reported.

Harper also issued a joint statement on behalf of 35 countries that called for the elimination of violence against indigenous women and girls.

Harper is the first member of a federally-recognized tribe to serve as an Ambassador.

Get the Story:
US Fights Violence Against Indigenous Women (Indian Country Today 7/9)

Related Stories:
Ambassador Harper thanks tribes for backing historic nomination (07/01)
Keith Harper: Eliminating violence against indigenous women (06/25)
Ambassador Harper discusses racism against Native peoples (6/19)
Ambassador Harper heads to United Nations for next session (06/05)
Tribes praise confirmation of Keith Harper to ambassador post (6/4)
Keith Harper wins Senate confirmation to UN ambassador job (6/3)
Washington Tribes: Confirm Keith Harper to ambassador post (6/2)
Louis Manuel: Senate set to make history in Keith Harper vote (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)
Women Leaders: Confirm Keith Harper to UN human rights post (3/7)
Gyasi Ross: Keith Harper makes history as nominee for UN post (3/4)
Women Leaders: Confirm Keith Harper for ambassador-rank job (2/28)
Jim Gray: Keith Harper ready to serve in UN human rights post (2/27)
Opinion: Confirm Keith Harper for UN human rights council job (2/25)
Senate panel approves Keith Harper nomination for UN post (02/05)
Obama resubmits Keith Harper nomination for UN council job (01/08)
Senate panel supports Keith Harper in ambassador-rank post (12/19)
Billy Frank: Keith Harper nomination historic for Indian Country (11/06)
Passamaquoddy Tribe: No dispute about Keith Harper's work (10/02)
Keith Harper faces hostile Sen. McCain at hearing for UN job (9/25)
Keith Harper set for confirmation hearing to ambassador post (9/20)
Cherokee Nation Council backs Keith Harper for ambassador (07/17)
In The Loop: Keith Harper's generosity rewarded with top post (07/09)
NCAI hails nomination of Keith Harper to UN ambassador job (6/17)
Leader of Cherokee Nation hails nomination of Keith Harper (6/13)
Keith Harper, Cherokee, nominated for ambassador level job (6/10)