SAN DIEGO, CA – The NAFOA Lifetime Achievement Awards honor Native American leaders who have dedicated their careers to strengthening their communities and advancing Indian Country. At this year’s 2024 Fall Finance and Tribal Economies Conference, the NAFOA Board of Directors recognized the leadership of John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, and Chairwoman Glenda Nelson of the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria.
Echohawk has been an advocate for tribal sovereignty and Native American rights for decades. He has served as the Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) since 1977 and played a vital role in defending Native American voting rights across Indian Country.
Echohawk’s commitment to advocating for tribal nations began in law school, where he was the first graduate of the University of New Mexico’s Indian law program and a co-founder of the American Indian Law Students Association. There, he recognized the legal system’s vital role in enforcing tribal rights and treaties and the urgent need for tribes to have access to legal resources to uphold these protections.
At NARF, Echohawk helped secure the official recognition of over 300 tribes. His leadership has driven groundbreaking legal victories, championed numerous civil rights causes, and raised public awareness about tribal law and self-determination. His exceptional contributions have garnered widespread recognition, including being named one of America’s 100 most influential lawyers by The National Law Journal and receiving the 2023 Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association.
In recognition of his lifelong commitment to advancing equity and justice for tribal citizens across the U.S. and for leading the oldest and largest non-profit legal organization defending Native American rights, NAFOA presented John Echohawk with the esteemed 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chairwoman Glenda Nelson has been a visionary leader for her people for over two decades. Under her guidance, the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of Enterprise Rancheria has achieved remarkable economic success, exemplified by the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at Fire Mountain. The ambitious project, which faced opposition and legal battles for over four years, has now become a cornerstone of the region’s economy, providing millions in revenue to nonprofits and organizations in several counties in North Central California.
Born and raised on the Enterprise Rancheria, Nelson’s grandmother and father instilled a profound duty to serve her people and protect her tribe’s sovereignty. She was one of the first Native American youth to graduate college in the 1970s with the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Nelson holds a deep passion for children affected by the Indian Child Welfare Act and is dedicated to identifying and providing necessary services and programs.
Nelson has served on the Tribal Council since 2003, holding positions as Treasurer and tribal Chairwoman. She has also been an active member of numerous boards and committees focused on advancing and strengthening tribal nations. With extensive experience in gaming, finance, law, and education, Nelson has made invaluable contributions to her tribe, local community, and national forums. Chairwoman Nelson’s service to the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria has earned her the 2024 NAFOA Lifetime Achievement Award.
