United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 20-31 May

There are over 370 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the globe.

Protecting and advancing their rights have been at the heart of Tonya Gonnella Frichner’s mission for almost three decades, serving as an attorney and former member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

“Gonnella Frichner is a lawyer and activist who has devoted her life to the pursuit of human rights for Indigenous Peoples on a national and international level. From 2008 to 2011, Gonnella Frichner served as North American Regional Representative to the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

She is the president and founder of the 33-year-old American Indian Law Alliance (AILA), an indigenous, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with indigenous nations, communities and organizations in their struggle for sovereignty, human rights and social justice. The AILA is one of only 20 indigenous NGO’s with special consultative status with the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council.

Gonnella Frichner has received numerous recognition, including the Harriet Tubman Humanitarian Achievement Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the New York County Lawyers Association Award for Outstanding Public Service, and the Alston Bannerman Fellowship. She sits on several boards, including the Seventh Generation Fund and the Boarding School Healing Project”. READ MORE

With the upcoming 12th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues taking place on 20-31 May, and with the world conference more than a year away, DESA News got an exclusive opportunity to meet with Ms. Tonya Gonnella Frichner, President and Founder of the American Indian Law Alliance, to talk about past achievements and the work that lies ahead.

For more information about the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.