Tribal Sovereignty at the Crossroads of Colonial Borders

This presentation will delve into the complex interplay between tribal sovereignty and the enduring legacies of colonial borders. It will explore how historical and contemporary border constructs impact Indigenous self-governance, territorial rights and cultural preservation.

Rochelle Morgan-Verdin is a proud citizen of the United Houma Nation. She holds a master's in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace, as well as a bachelor's in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Emory University. Currently, Rochelle serves as Policy Lead for International Affairs at the National Congress of American Indians, addressing critical issues impacting Indigenous Peoples worldwide. As Policy Lead for International Affair, Rochelle staffs NCAI's Tribal Border Task Force, Peyote Task Force, Southwest Regional Caucus and International Committee.  She currently serves as the American Bird Conservancy's Fellow for the Cross-Border Stewardship in the Sonoran Desert Community Engagement Program.