NSU Symposium on the American Indian, April 11-16, 2016

Indigenous Movement: Empowering Generations for Progressive Revitalization

(Tahlequah, Okla.)-- The Symposium on the American Indian at Northeastern State University returns April 11-16, 2016 and the Center for Tribal Studies is already hard at work preparing events, inviting guest speakers and organizing educational panels.

Now in its 44th year, the symposium features lectures, films, presentations and cultural activities. The 2016 theme Indigenous Movement: Empowering Generations for Progressive Revitalizationwas selected to focus on regenerating and maintaining traditions in the face of change.

Beginning with relocation and assimilation practices of the 1800s, the culture and lifestyle of Native people has been impacted significantly by the historical and modern day transgressions of the U.S. government, Alisa Douglas, coordinator for student programs at the center, said.

Recently, tribal and community leaders have demonstrated self-determination by taking action against racial discrimination and other social injustice issues such as violence against women, environmental policy, poverty and drug abuse.

While preserving cultural traditions, grassroots efforts and community advocates have established an Indigenous movement to raise awareness, create change, maintain sovereignty, and revitalize tribal communities through progressive action and economic progress. Through various forms of art and scholarly activity, a new generation of leaders has emerged, creating and sustaining positive change within our tribal communities.

Confirmed guest speakers for the 2016 event include Tanaya Winder, Chase Iron Eyes J.D., Dallas Goldtooth and Suzan Shown-Harjo.

Shown-Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee)is a poet, writer, lecturer, curator and policy advocate, who has helped Native Peoples protect sacred places and recover more than one million acres of land.

She has developed key laws to promote and protect Native nations, sovereignty, children, arts, cultures, languages, religious freedom and repatriation. President of the Morning Star Institute and an award-winning Columnist for Indian Country Today Media Network, she is guest curator and editor for the National Museum of the American Indians 2014-2018 exhibit and book Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations.

President Barack Obama presented her with a 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom in a White House ceremony honoring 18 recipients the Medal is the United States highest civilian honor. She was honored with the 2015 Native Leadership Award by the National Congress of American Indians, which she served as Executive Director during the 1980s.

Next years symposium also brings a change to the format. There will be traditional singing in place of the usual Powwow.

The singing will be free and open to the public.Anyone who wants to share or sing traditional songs (in any format) in their Native language is more than welcome to, Douglas explained.

Non-singers from the community are invited to attend and enjoy this event also.

For more information about the symposium and to view a tentative schedule, visitwww.nsuok.edu/symposium.

Published: 2015-10-26 11:42:32.267000