U.S. SENATE Cherokee Nation citizen Keith Harper made
history today when the United States 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.
Senator Jon Tester (D- Mont.), Chairman of the Committee on
Indian Affairs applauded Harpers appointment:
Keith Harper has had an exemplary career as a lawyer
and a judge. Im pleased that my colleagues have voted to
appoint another historic first for Indian Country. As a longtime
advocate for the civil rights of Native Americans, Keith will
be a great Ambassador for our country.
On December 18, 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
approved Harpers 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).