Pilar Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pilar Thomas
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| Born | Germany |
| Education | Stanford University (BA) University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (JD) |
Pilar M. Thomas is an American lawyer. She is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Arizona. She has worked as a lawyer for her tribe. Pilar has helped with important issues like water rights and treaty rights for Native American tribes. She also worked on laws about gaming (like casinos) and helped tribes develop energy projects.
She worked for the U.S. government in departments like Justice and Energy. She was also a high-ranking lawyer for Native American affairs in the Department of the Interior. Pilar helped the U.S. agree to the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This declaration helps protect the rights of native people around the world. She also worked on making it easier for tribes to lease their lands.
Early Life and School
Pilar Thomas was born in Germany. Her father was serving in the U.S. Army there. She grew up in Southern California. Her mother's family is from Mexico and Arizona.
She went to Stanford University and earned a degree in economics in 1983. Later, she studied law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. She graduated with high honors in 2002. She became a lawyer in Arizona in 2002.
Working as a Lawyer
Pilar worked in the financial industry for 15 years. Then, she decided to become a lawyer. She wanted to help her own tribe and other tribes with their economic growth. She worked for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. She also joined a law firm in Phoenix, where she focused on tribal and gaming law.
In 2002, Pilar became a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice. There, she worked on cases about water rights and treaty rights for tribes. In 2009, she got a new job. She became a top lawyer for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. In this role, she gave legal advice on laws and issues related to Native Americans.
Pilar believes two parts of her government work were most important. One was helping the U.S. agree to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The other was working on reforms for tribal land leasing, which included the HEARTH Act. This act helps tribes manage their lands better. In 2015, she returned to a law firm in Phoenix.
In 2016, Pilar and other former Native American officials asked President Obama to stop or change the route of the Dakota Access pipeline. Pilar is also part of a group called the National Tribal Air Association. This group advises on policies about air quality for tribes.
Awards and Recognition
- She received an award from the U.S. Department of Justice. This was for her work on a treaty rights case called United States v. Michigan.
- She was listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" for Native American Law in 2017.
