The University of Wyoming College of Law will focus on Native American issues during its Law Week, an annual event when faculty, staff and the public share conversations on a theme.
On Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Itzchak Kornfeld from Hebrew University in Jerusalem will talk about the long term health effects of uranium contamination on Wyoming's Native American communities. In the 1950's, a company produced yellow cake on land near the reservation that spread into people's water sources, leading to high rates of cancer and thyroid problems.
UW Law Professor Jason Robison said the talk is open to the public and will really get people thinking.
"What does one think about water contamination and those water quality issues in relation to the human right to water for the Wind River tribes?" said Robison.
On Thursday evening, a panel will discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court case Herrera v. Wyoming that sided with a Crow man who shot an elk without a license and out of season in the Bighorn National Forest, saying an 1868 treaty gave Crow citizens the right to hunt unoccupied lands in Wyoming and Montana.
"This panel discussion about Herrera will be inclusive and even handed, so that should be a very thoughtful, thought-provoking gathering," said Robison.
The Herrera panel takes place Thursday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. Both events are scheduled in Room 178 in the Law School.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Melodie Edwards, at medward9@uwyo.edu.