Picture a place where two rivers come together. See how their confluence creates a more complex current, charts a stronger course, and promises more vitality for those of us downstream. Such was the effect that Charles Wilkinson, Moses Lasky Professor of Law Emeritus and Distinguished Professor at 蜜桃传媒破解版下载, had on the Center of the American West (CAW). And such was our sense of deeply felt loss and legacy when we received news of Wilkinson鈥檚 passing on June 6th, 2023. 

Wilkinson was a major tributary in the Center of the American West鈥檚 watershed. Along with his 蜜桃传媒破解版下载 colleague, Patricia Nelson Limerick, he co-founded the Center in 1986 and participated in many notable initiatives. One of which was the remarkable 鈥淚nside Interior鈥� series. This oral history / public event saw the two of them in historic dialogue with an impressive cast of former U.S. Secretaries of the Interior, ranging from Stewart Udall to James Watt.

Charles Wilkinson with Billy Frank Jr.

Wilkinson鈥檚 legacy also saw him present multiple Wallace Stegner Awards, a prestigious award given by the CAW to those who have made 鈥渁 sustained contribution to the cultural identity of the West.鈥� Recipients include Western writers Ivan Doig and Terry Tempest Williams as well as filmmaker Ken Burns. One of the most moving Stegner awards Wilkinson gave came in 2006 when he bestowed a shared award to Billy Frank Jr. (Nisqually) and John Echohawk (Pawnee), Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF).

After illuminating the struggle for tribal rights and sovereignty on the Colorado Plateau in his book Fire on the Plateau: Conflict and Endurance in the American Southwest (1999), Wilkinson then pivoted to embrace the depth and diversity of the western American region when he looked to the Pacific Northwest and wrote Messages from Frank鈥檚 Landing: a Story of Salmon, Treaties, and the Indian Way (2000) about Frank Jr.鈥檚 activism. Similarly, Wilkinson鈥檚 connection with John Echohawk ran deep at NARF. According to the CU Law School鈥檚 tribute, Wilkinson, Echohawk, the late Dean David Getches and Professor Richard Collins 鈥渉elped to secure landmark victories in tribal treaty rights litigation.鈥�

Charles Wilkinson reading from his book, The People Are Dancing Again

A prolific, accessible, and award-winning writer, Wilkinson was feted by the CAW in 2011 with the release of his last book, The People Are Dancing Again: The History of the Siletz Tribe of Western Oregon (2010). As noted in the press release for this event, 鈥淚t is a book that not only provides a deep and beautifully written account of the history of the Siletz people, but reaches beyond region and tribe to tell a story that will inform the way all of us think about the past.鈥�

Wilkinson last joined the CAW in December 2019 for the "Bipartisanship (and Friendship) Happen!" speaker series. In a reprise role similar to the "Inside Interior" series, Wilkinson joined Limerick on stage for a public interview between former Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez and former Democratic Congressman and Senator Mark Udall. Wilkinson solicited meaningful responses from both Beauprez and Udall, creating moments of reflection on the legacy of fathers to their opinions on the current political climate. The comments generated this evening resonate even more poignantly now, given the historic changes that were to come.

We are forever indebted and humbled by the contributions Charles Wilkinson made to the vitality of the Center of the American West. A great mentor, author, speaker, and defender of tribal and environmental rights, his downstream effect will be felt for many generations to come.

Links to References Above:

• Biography: /center/west/charles-wilkinson 
• Inside Interior: /center/west/events/inside-interior
• Stegner Award: /center/west/events/wallace-stegner-award 
• The People are Dancing Again book release: /center/west/2021/05/28/charles-wilkinson-book-release
• Bipartisanship (and Friendship) Happen with Bob Beauprez and Mark Udall: /center/west/events/bipartisanship-and-friendship-happen#december_10_2019-1693 

More on Charles Wilkinson:

• Law School tribute: /law/2023/06/12/memoriam-charles-wilkinson-trailblazer-justice-earth-and-american-indian-law 
• Getches and Wilkinson Center at CU Law:
• CAW Event: Reflecting on the First Decade of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: /center/west/2021/05/28/reflecting-first-decade-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument

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The College of Arts and Sciences has named an interim director to carry the Center of the American West into the future.

蜜桃传媒破解版下载 history Professor Tom Zeiler will serve as interim faculty director of the Center of the American West, effective immediately.

Zeiler was chair of the 蜜桃传媒破解版下载 History Department from 2000-2004, and he has directed 蜜桃传媒破解版下载 International Affairs Program since 2013. Zeiler has received Fulbright fellowships for teaching and research, as well as the Teacher Recognition Award given by the Student Organization for Alumni Relations.

He served as editor-in-chief of American Foreign Relations Since 1600: A Guide to the Literature, and he has served as President of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and the Society鈥檚 Council, Bernath Dissertation Award, Program, Teaching, and Membership Committees. He was also a member of the State Department Historical Advisory Committee on Diplomatic Documentation. 

The Center of the American West serves as a national resource illuminating the history, culture, politics and tradition of the American West through its focus on applied history. The Center of the American West will continue to play a vital role at 蜜桃传媒破解版下载, and we look forward to its continued contributions to national thought and discourse regarding the American West and our shared history.  

鈥淧rofessor Zeiler is a proven dynamic and vibrant voice in the academic community, with a unique perspective on the history of the American West,鈥� said Glen Krutz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

鈥淲e look forward to his leadership in rebuilding relationships with staff and center supporters, strengthening ties to our other academic departments at 蜜桃传媒破解版下载, and setting the stage for the center to reach its next great level of success.鈥�

Professor Zeiler will continue to teach his scheduled courses in addition to his new duties with the center.

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