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IITIO, Inc. is pleased to continue our online series on Indigenous Law and Policy. This April, listen in as the exciting discussion of the US 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for Native American trade continues. Hear about Native American international trade opportunities and initiatives developing alongside the new Made in America Tribal Trade Policy. Register today for our next event, and read about it below.
Panel Discussion Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Panel Discussion Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Central Standard Time)
Cost: $25.00
Registration Link: https://iitio.org/2024-fireside-chat-registration/
PANELISTS
Jamila Thompson
Acting Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to
the U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
Jamila Thompson serves as senior advisor to Ambassador Katherine Tai, the 19th U.S. Trade Representative. Ms. Thompson spent nearly two decades working on Capitol Hill, most recently as chief of staff to Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA). She previously worked as a legislative assistant for Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and as a volunteer coordinator and translator for various non-profit organizations. Ms. Thompson also served on the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs in Washington, D.C. and is a senior fellow and mentor with Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership. Goucher College named Ms. Thompson as one of the inaugural recipients of its Distinguished Alumnae and Alumni Award; she is also a graduate of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Ms. Thompson is a member of The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. An avid tennis player, she and her husband reside in Washington, D.C.
Dr. James Collard, CITP/FIBP, FM
Director of Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Iron Horse Industrial Park & Foreign Trade Zone
Dr. Collard is the Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). In this capacity, he evaluates and facilitates business development proposals and tribal franchise opportunities. He also compiled and manages the CPN Economic Development Strategy. He is currently developing Iron Horse, a rail-anchored industrial park that serves as a destination for Foreign Direct Investment and Import/Export Center for U.S. domestic companies. Dr. Collard has initiated and packaged numerous economic development projects and agreements between multiple governmental entities and businesses. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council. He is also on the Executive Committee of the International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization (IITO). Dr. Collard is the Past Chair of the OK Governor’s International Team and is a member of the Oklahoma District Export Council. Dr. Collard has traveled extensively internationally on business and as a participant on trade missions and diplomatic delegations. He is also the co-founder and chair of the Tribal-Municipal Dialogue, a group dedicated to increasing cooperation between tribal & local governments. He is currently working with the University of Oklahoma – College of Law on Indigenous Human Rights issues. Dr. Collard is a member of the International Economic Development Council Board of Directors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). Dr. Collard has recently had the honor of being appointed to serve as a member of the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
Wayne Garnons-Williams, B.A., LL.B., M.P.A., LL.M.
Chair, IITIO
Senior Lawyer & Principal Director, Garwill Law Prof. Corporation
Principal Director, Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd.
International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO)
Wayne is the founding President of International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization, Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of the law firm Garwill Law Professional Corporation and leads an international business entitled Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd. specializing in Tribal Trade and Sustainable Economic Development. He is also a Research Fellow specializing in International Comparative Indigenous law at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. He was appointed by Order in Council as a member to the NAFTA Chapter 19 Trade Remedies roster and then appointed in 2020 as a CUSMA Advisory Committee Member on Private Commercial Disputes, Article 31.22. He is the Council for Aboriginal Business 2019 award winner for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations, the 2020 Queen’s University alumni award winner as well as the recipient of the 2020 Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) - International Legal Specialist in Peace, Justice and Governance Award and the 2023 Senior Legal Fellow for CISDL. He is Plains Cree from Treaty 6, Moosomin First Nation.