USD law school professor named AIS Institute director
Posted: Monday, January 14, 2008
VERMILLION, S.D. -- Patrice H. Kunesh, an assistant professor of law at The University of South Dakota, was appointed director of the University's Institute of American Indian Studies.
Kunesh, of Standing Rock Sioux Hunkpapa Lakota descent, teaches in the areas of Indian law, children and the law, legislation and property at the USD school of law. She has extensive experience in representing tribes throughout the country, including work at the Native American Rights Fund in Colorado where she represented American Indian tribal governments in protecting the welfare of Indian children.
As a staff attorney with NARF, Kunesh also represented tribes in protecting tribal resources, cultural rights, and drafted tribal laws and constitutions. In addition, Kunesh was in-house counsel for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which is located in southeastern Connecticut. While with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, she was involved in the establishment of the tribe's judicial system and codification of its laws.
"Indian education is a high priority area in the University and law school strategic plans," said Barry R. Vickrey, dean of the USD school of law. "Strong leadership of both the department and the institute will help bring more American Indian students to this campus."
Kunesh has authored articles and travels the nation lecturing about the state of Indian child welfare as well as tribal and federal Indian law. A graduate of Colorado State University, where she received a bachelor of arts degree, Kunesh received her J.D. from the University of Colorado.
Kunesh, of Standing Rock Sioux Hunkpapa Lakota descent, teaches in the areas of Indian law, children and the law, legislation and property at the USD school of law. She has extensive experience in representing tribes throughout the country, including work at the Native American Rights Fund in Colorado where she represented American Indian tribal governments in protecting the welfare of Indian children.
As a staff attorney with NARF, Kunesh also represented tribes in protecting tribal resources, cultural rights, and drafted tribal laws and constitutions. In addition, Kunesh was in-house counsel for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which is located in southeastern Connecticut. While with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, she was involved in the establishment of the tribe's judicial system and codification of its laws.
"Indian education is a high priority area in the University and law school strategic plans," said Barry R. Vickrey, dean of the USD school of law. "Strong leadership of both the department and the institute will help bring more American Indian students to this campus."
Kunesh has authored articles and travels the nation lecturing about the state of Indian child welfare as well as tribal and federal Indian law. A graduate of Colorado State University, where she received a bachelor of arts degree, Kunesh received her J.D. from the University of Colorado.
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