Author Talk: Walter R. Echo-Hawk

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Glendale Library, Arts & Culture is welcoming author Walter R. Echo-Hawk to discuss his book, In the Courts of the Conqueror: The Ten Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided. The author will be joined in conversation by the Autry Museum President and Chief Executive W. Richard West Jr. This book examines ten Supreme Court cases that changed the fate of Native Americans, provides the contemporary historical and political context of each case, and explains how the decisions have adversely affected the cultural survival of Native people to this day. 

In addition to being an author, Mr. Echo-Hawk is a lawyer, tribal judge, scholar, and activist. His legal experience includes cases involving Native American religious freedoms, prisoner rights, water rights, treaty rights, and reburial/repatriation rights. Among his most important contributions to Native American rights was his involvement in the development and passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a federal law passed in 1990. 

This author talk is part of the Be the Change event series, which is focused on inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism. The events seek to build collective understanding of systemic racism, elevate the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous and People of Color, and inspire our community to be the change. The series is led by Glendale Library, Arts & Culture in partnership with the Southern California Library Cooperative and Outlook Newspapers. The series is sponsored by the City of Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, with funding from the City of Glendale Urban Art Fund.

Please register here to join us for this conversation on Thursday, November 5 at 6:30pm. You can check out an ebook of In the Courts of the Conqueror, or place a hold on a hardcopy and pick it up using our curbside services. Signed copies of the book are also available for purchase from our local partner, Once Upon a Time Bookstore.