Indigenous Scholar Development Center hosts comedian Adrianne Chalepah

(Tahlequah, Okla.)-- The Indigenous Scholar Development Center at Northeastern State University presents comedian Adrianne Chalepah on April 20 at 3 p.m. in the Webb Auditorium of Tahlequahs campus. Chalepahs presentation will define womanhood through the lens of an indigenous woman. Through storytelling, she will discuss how powerful women understand themselves and their ambitions, healthy boundaries, and balance in life.

Chalepah is an American Indian (Kiowa/Apache) entertainer from Anadarko, Oklahoma. Her career in standup comedy and motivational speaking began while attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where she made her stage debut and studied filmmaking. In 2010 her comedy career took off when she teamed up with the popular comedy troupe 49 Laughs Comedy. In 2012 she was honored to open for First Lady Michelle Obama at a campaign event. Passionate about indigenous/female empowerment, she formed the world's only all-female, all Native American comedy group, Ladies of Native Comedy.

Hannah Foreman, scholar development coordinator for ISDC, said that the recommendation for the speaker came from an NSU students comment card. Once ISDC contacted Chalepah, it was confirmed that she had outstanding credentials and that she would be a relaxed and fun speaker for NSU.

I believe Chalepah will provide a different view on accomplishing goals in higher education and in life. Many students will face obstacles while pursuing their educational goals, but we would like for them to know that they can overcome those obstacles and still reach their goals, all while keeping a good attitude and sense of humor along the way, Foreman said.

Chalepahs presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Foreman at foremanh@nsuok.edu.