In the Light of Justice: The Rise of Human Rights in Native America and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

A Blueprint for Indigenous Rights in the 21st Century

In the Light of Justice is a seminal work that explores the evolution of Indigenous rights from the dark eras of "Indian-hating" to the modern global human rights movement. Celebrated attorney Walter R. Echo-Hawk provides a comprehensive analysis of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its potential to revolutionize Federal Indian Law in the United States. He argues that by embracing these international standards, the U.S. can finally move past outdated "conqueror" laws and establish a new era of healing and justice.

This book serves as both a historical narrative and a practical manual for legal reform. Echo-Hawk details how the implementation of UNDRIP can provide Native nations with the tools needed to protect their lands, cultures, and sovereignty. With a focus on reconciliation and human dignity, In the Light of Justice is an essential read for legal scholars, tribal leaders, and human rights activists seeking to understand how global frameworks can be used to rectify long-standing domestic injustices.

Walter R. Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) is of counsel to the Crowe and Dunlevy law firm of Oklahoma. As a staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund for thirty-five years, he represented tribes and Native Americans on significant legal issues during the modern era of federal Indian law. In addition to litigation, he worked on major legislation, such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and federal religious freedom legislation. He is a prolific writer whose books include the award-winning Battlefields and Burial Grounds.