CLE Program - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People: A Primer for Attorneys

This one-hour continuing legal education session invites Rhode Island lawyers into a grounded, evidence-informed exploration of the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) movement. According to the statistics, 4 out of 5 of Indigenous women experience some form of violence in their lifetime. Still further, Indigenous women face murder rates more 10x times the national average. This session will provide an introduction to the scope, context, and legal implications of MMIWG2S as it intersects with violence, systemic response, and the practice of law.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Register - RWU Law March 30 CLE Program

Meet the Speaker

Jennifer Rawlings, Esq.
Co-Director, The Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights (CIPR) 
Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe

Jennifer Rawlings is a Senior Contracts Manager at Yale University and the Co- Director at the Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights, a non-profit, Indigenous-led organization the provides low cost legal services to Indigenous peoples and communities. She enjoys providing critical national building support to Tribal communities and increasing pathways to the legal practice. Attorney Rawlings is an active member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and enjoys diving into the rich history of the northeast Tribes’.

Attorney Rawlings received her B.A  from the University of Massachusetts where she completed a double major in legal studies and journalism as well as the certificate program in Native American Indian studies. She received her J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2015. After law school she volunteered as the chair of the Greater New Haven NAACP’s Legal Redress Committee for several years, where she successfully assisted community members with discrimination cases.

While at Yale, Attorney Rawlings co-founded the affinity group, Indigenous Leaders at Yale, a group that fosters community for Indigenous staff and faculty at the University. When not working, Jennifer loves to travel, practice basketry, spend time with family, and participate in pow-wows.

Meet the Moderator

Nicole P. Dyszlewski 
Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law

Nicole’s work centers on building a more inclusive and equitable legal system. Her areas of focus include DEIB pedagogy in law schools, mass incarceration, and access to information— topics where she brings both a lawyer’s insightful analysis and a librarian’s relentless curiosity. Nicole is the co-editor of the Integrating Doctrine & Diversity book series, the host of the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity webinar series, and a co-author of the recently published casebook, Race and the Foundations of American Law.

Rhode Island MCLE Credit
This program is approved for one DEI Rhode Island MCLE Credit.

CLE Program Registration
$40                              Registration/One RI MCLE DEI Credit

$25                              RWU Law Alumni

$25                              Non-profit/Government

Complimentary           RWU Law Students

Complimentary           RWU Law Faculty & Administration

Register - RWU Law March 30 CLE Program
Sponsorship
This program is co-sponsored by the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
RWU Law CLE Program cancellations received by Wednesday, March25, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations are accepted via email at lawevents@rwu.edu