Lindsay Robertson
Lindsay Robertson is an esteemed member of the advisory council for the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in Native American and Indigenous Peoples Law. As the Chickasaw Nation Endowed Chair in Native American Law Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Professor Robertson has contributed significantly to the field through his roles as an educator, author, and legal advisor.
Educationally, Professor Robertson has a diverse background. He obtained his A.B. from Davidson College in 1981, followed by an M.A. from the University of Virginia in 1986. He also holds a J.D. (1986) and a Ph.D. in history (1997) from the University of Virginia. In 2020, he earned an M.A. in Native American studies from the University of Oklahoma (OU). His academic journey reflects his deep commitment to understanding and advancing legal issues pertinent to Native American communities.
At the University of Oklahoma, he has been a pivotal figure. Joining the OU law faculty in 1997, he served as the faculty director of the Center for the Study of American Indian Law and Policy. He has also been instrumental in developing and teaching courses on the history of US Indian law and policy, both at OU and internationally, such as at the University of Mainz, Germany.
Professor Robertson's legal expertise extends beyond academia. He is a justice on the Supreme Court of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and has played a critical role in shaping international indigenous law. He served as a private sector advisor to the U.S. Department of State delegations to the Working Groups on the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2004–06) and the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2004–07). His influence also includes serving as an advisor on indigenous peoples' law to the Chair of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2014.
His contributions to legal scholarship are evident in his publications, notably "Conquest by Law" (Oxford University Press, 2005), a groundbreaking work examining the foundational Indian Law decision Johnson v. M’Intosh (1823). This work and his numerous articles and book chapters have established him as a leading authority in the field.
Professor Robertson's commitment to global engagement and justice for Indigenous peoples has been recognized with several awards, including the first David L. Boren Award for Outstanding Global Engagement in 2014 and the Bacone College Strickland School of Tribal Law and Criminal Justice "Warrior for Justice" Award in 2016. In 2017, he received the OU Regents’ Award for Superior Professional Service and Public Outreach, underscoring his dedication to both academic excellence and community service.
As an Advisory Council member at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples, Professor Robertson's extensive experience, legal expertise, and dedication to Indigenous rights and legal education make him an invaluable asset to the Center's mission of advancing the futures of Native peoples.