UN representative for Indians

Onondaga Nation woman gets UN postFor the next three years, an Onondaga Nation woman will represent millions of Native Americans in the United Nations, trying to persuade diplomats to recognize the rights of indigenous people.

Tonya Gonnella Frichner will spend most of her time in Manhattan as North America's regional representative to the United Nations' Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Frichner, an attorney who has been active in U.N. issues for more than 20 years, is at ease with the highly stylized language and customs of the U.N. She has met with foreign presidents and ambassadors.