Cherokee Nation citizen Keith Harper made history on Tuesday, June 3 when the U.S. Senate confirmed him to serve as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, making him the first Native American to serve as an Ambassador.
“Keith Harper has had an exemplary career as a lawyer and a judge,” said Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “I’m pleased that my colleagues have voted to appoint another historic first in Indian Country. As a longtime advocate for the civil rights of Native Americans, Keith will be a great Ambassador for our country.”
On Dec. 18, 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Harper’s nomination. Harper served as counsel on the historic Cobell v. Salazar case, which resulted in a $3.4 billion land settlement for Indian Country. He is currently a partner in the law firm, Kilpatrick Townsend, and was previously a litigator at the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).
– U.S. Senate release
