A month from today, the Native American Rights Fund will celebrate its 40th year.

The occasion will be marked at the Chickasaw Nation’s WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. According to the news release printed in the Native Times:

Larry Echohawk (Interior Department photo)

NARF’s 40 Years of Indian Law Forum will highlight four decades of Indian law and NARF’s role. We will examine current concerns and challenges within each of NARF’s priority areas and their impact on Indian law. Utilizing the tribal leaders and attorneys attending, in each priority area we will craft a shared vision for the future direction for that issue of Indian law. Each session will end with strategic outlines for how NARF can address each issue for the next 40 years. In representing President Obama’s Administration, the keynote luncheon speaker will be Larry Echohawk, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The NARF’s 40th Anniversary Dinner — “40 for 40″ — will highlight the 40 tribes, individuals and organizations that have helped shape the 40 years of NARF. We will spotlight Native clients, past board and staff members and funding partners. This will be a celebration honoring the impact that NARF has had in Indian Country.

The event will also include fun and games, in the form of the Native Justice Golf Challenge for tribal leaders, with Notah Begay II as the golf pro host.

Gwen Florio

Tags: 40 Years of Indian Law Forum, BIA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Chickasaw Nation, Interior Department, Larry Echohawk, Native American Rights Fund, Native Justice Golf Challenge, Notah Begay, PGA Tour, Stanford University, WinStar World Casino