John Echohawk (’70) was honored by the Keystone Policy Center with the Spirit of Keystone award for “tirelessly working to foster respect, inclusiveness, and collaborative problem solving” at its 23^rd Annual Leadership Awards Dinner.

The event highlights extraordinary individuals and organizations who find common ground and work collaboratively to protect the rights of Native Americans, promote responsible business practices, enhance biodiversity, develop better regulatory frameworks, and support bipartisan solutions.

Echohawk, Pawnee, is the Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund. He was the first Native American graduate of the UNM School of Law, attending on a scholarship designed to increase the number of Native American lawyers. As a student, he co-founded the American Indian Law Students Association.

He has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America by the National Law Journal and has received numerous service awards and other recognition for his leadership in the Indian law field.

In 2010, Echohawk received the James F. Zimmerman Award, presented to a UNM alum who has made a significant contribution, bringing fame and honor to the university or the state.