Indigenous Trade Policy Made in America:
A Conversation with Jamila Thompson,
Acting Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to Ambassador Tai, the
United States Trade Representative
for the Executive Office of the President of the United States of America
Thursday April 4, 2024
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time)
Registration $25
REGISTRATION LINK:
Tune in as we host special speaker Jamila Thompson, Acting Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Ambassador Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative. Hear us discuss the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan for Native American Trade. Learn about some of the Native American international trade opportunities and initiatives that are currently being developed. Discover how the new Made in America Tribal Trade Policy was created.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is a component agency of the Executive Office of the President (EOP) and has primary responsibility for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, overseeing trade negotiations with other countries, combatting unfair trade practices, and enforcing U.S. trade laws. USTR is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and staff stationed in U.S. diplomatic missions to the European Union, Mexico, Singapore, and the People’s Republic of China. The agency’s missions and operations are structured around bilateral and multilateral negotiations, specific sectors, administration, analysis, legal affairs, policy coordination, and public outreach.
OUR SPECIAL GUEST
OFFICE of the United States Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
Jamila Thompson
Acting Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the U.S.T.R
Executive Office of the President
Jamila Thompson serves as acting Chief of Staff and 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.
OUR PANEL CONTRIBUTOR AND FTZ AUTHORITY
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Director of Economic Development
Iron Horse Industrial Park & Foreign Trade Zone
Dr. James Collard, CITP/FIBP, FM
Director of Economic Development
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Contributing to this timely discussion is Dr. James C. Collard, who is specially qualified to roll out the many opportunities for Inter-tribal trade that the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) has on offer via its new Foreign Trade Zone, Iron Horse Industrial Park. The CPN’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is proving to be an unparalleled means of developing trade ties with other tribal nations around the world. It is a major attractor of global investment and industry. Dr. Collard is a member of the Board of IITIO, Inc and a frequent presenter at our IITIO events. Dr. Collard is always delighted to guide trade-ready tribal businesses around the beautiful Citizen Potawatomi Nation country. Dr. Collard and his colleagues are always delighted to escort invited guests on full tours of CPN’s FTZ, businesses, and Cultural Center.
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 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 on international 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 and local governments. Dr. Collard is also 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.
OUR HUMBLE GUIDE AND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization (IITIO)
Wayne Garnons-Williams, B.A., LL.B., M.P.A., LL.M.
Chair, IITIO
Senior Lawyer & Principal Director, Garwill Law Professional Corporation
Principal Director, Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd
Wayne is the founding Chair of the International Inter-tribal Trade and Investment Organization. He is Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of Garwill Law Professional Corporation and also leads the Indigenous Sovereign Trade Consultancy Ltd. (ISTC), an international business specializing in Tribal Trade and Sustainable Economic Development. Wayne is a Research Fellow, International Comparative Indigenous Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law. Wayne was appointed by Order in Council as a member to the NAFTA Chapter 19 Trade Remedies roster. In 2020 Wayne became a CUSMA Advisory Committee Member on Private Commercial Disputes, Article 31.22. Wayne is the Council for Aboriginal Business 2019 Award Winner for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations. Wayne is the 2020 Queen’s University alumni award winner and 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. Wayne Garnons-Williams is proud to be Plains Cree from Treaty 6, Moosomin First Nation (Canada).