LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

OWE AKU INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE PROJECT

Job Type: INTERNSHIP - Unpaid
Schedule Type: Internship
Application Deadline: 09/01/2012
Practice Areas: Civil Rights & Liberties/Racial Justice Issues, Environmental, International Law/Human Rights, Native American/Indian/Tribal Law

Job Description
The Owe Aku International Justice Program (IJP) advocates for traditional Native American nations and our alliances with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations around the world. Legal Interns will be responsible for assisting the Director, Program Coordinator and Legal Advisor in researching and analyzing international human rights and environmental justice developments at the United Nations and the Organization of American States. Interns will also work with traditional Lakota (Sioux) elders and leaders on Lakota territory in South Dakota including the oldest treaty organization of Lakota people in our Nation, the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council. Specifically, interns will: (1) help develop an analysis and executive summary of international environmental standards and law for submittal to a team of volunteer attorneys working on ongoing litigation; (2) interns will assist in updating and researching documentation pertaining to self-determination, environmental jurisdiction and Indigenous peoples' treaties with member UN nations that will be submitted to other non-governmental organizations, the Economic and Social Council at the UN, and the International Court of Justice; and (3) be prepared to assist with critical developments as they arise in a busy, grass-roots organization. Our intern program is unique in that we work by consensus with limited hierarchy and are accountable to our constituency.

Qualifications
Creativity, resourcefulness, maturity and self-motivation are primary qualifications for this position. Although an interest in international human rights issues and Indigenous/Native peoples is also required, experience in these fields is less important than the qualifications that have been listed. We are a resource-poor environment and the successful candidate for this internship must be able take initiative while still working within a collective environment.

Salary
This is an unpaid internship. We will obviously be happy to assist you in applying to your law school or any other source for credit, compensation, stipends, or fellowships.

Language(s): English

Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and a copy of your resume.

Contact Information:
Kent Lebsock, Owe Aku International, 720 W. 173rd St. #59, NYC 10032

Phone: 646-233-4406

email: [email protected] www.oweakuinternational.org