NSU’s Symposium on the American Indian begins today

TAHLEQUAH — The 37th Annual Symposium on the American Indian, “Legacy: 1909-2009,” begins today with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

“Following a century of Cherokee Nation education, NSU was founded on the established site of the pre-statehood Cherokee National Female Seminary and today continues to serve a significant American Indian student population,” said Dr. Phyllis Fife, director of the NSU Center for Tribal Studies. “Many of the speakers at the 37th Annual Symposium on the American Indian are NSU alumni returning to their alma mater to deliver keynote addresses and presentations that reflect the scholarship of our institution and share with us their diverse perspectives and experiences.”

According to a media release, featured speakers include actor, musician and Cherokee Speaker Wes Studi, University of Oklahoma Law School Senior Scholar-in-Resident Dr. Rennard Strickland, Haskell Indian Nations University President Dr. Lina Sue Warner, University of Kansas Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Linguistics Akira Yamamoto and University of California Professor of Linguisitics Dr. Marianne Mithun.

Other guests include former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller, filmmaker Sterlin Harjo, language specialist Dr. Wallace Chafe, Grammy-winner Joanne Shenandoah, poet Darcy Medicine Horse, writer Dr. Stacy Pratt, Jack C. Montgomery Veteran’s Administration Medical Center American Indian Program Coordinator Kellen C. Eco Hopiye Palmer, University of Arizona Professor of Native American Studies Dr. Tom Holm, University of Oklahoma’s Dr. Jerry Bread, United Keetoowah Band Principal Chief George Wickliffe, Gaye Leia King of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education, Telecommunications Support for Alcatel-Lucent John Callaway, and LEAD Agency Executive Director Rebecca Jim.

NSU faculty will also present on a wide variety of topics, from vision care to American Indian influence on jazz, hearing problems to language revitalization efforts.

The 2009 American Indian Symposium Film Series will continue during the Symposium, featuring a preview of Harjo’s latest work at 7 p.m. today in the NET Auditorium, a second screening of “The Trail of Tears,” a segment of the five-part “We Shall Remain,” from the PBS documentary series American Experience at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the NET Auditorium, and a screening of Studi’s new feature film “The Only Good Indian,” at 7 p.m. Thursday in the NET Auditorium.

Other events planned during the symposium include a filmmaking workshop, presentations from students in NSU’s Cherokee Language Degree Program, a stickball exhibition game, hearing screenings, a demonstration of Native American hand game, cornstalk shoot, an Indian marbles exhibition game, Native American studies, the third annual Cherokee Language Forum, Native Language Revitalization Seminar, and panel discussions on legal issues, American Indian literature, Indian Education and Cherokee education.

The NSU American Indian Alumni Association will host the Traditional Clothing Style Show Luncheon on from noon to 2 p.m. Friday in the University Center Sen. Herb Rozell Ballroom. The 2009 Distinguished Native American Alumni Award Winner will be announced during the luncheon.

The symposium will conclude with the Annual NSU Alumni Powwow, scheduled from 5-10 p.m. Friday and from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Doc Wadley Stadium.

Information and a complete schedule of events: www.nsuok.edu/symposium.



If you go



WHAT: 37th Annual Symposium on the American Indian, “Legacy: 1909-2009”

WHEN: Begins today with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Northeastern State University, University Center, Senator Herb Rozell Ballroom B.

ETC.: All events in the 37th Annual Symposium on the American Indian are free and open to the public, except:

• The Traditional Clothing Style Show Luncheon. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by calling 458-2143.

• Songs of the Spirit concert with Joanne Shenandoah. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for NSU alumni, $14 for senior citizens, $12 for groups of 10 or more, $10 for students and children, and $5 for NSU students. To purchase tickets, contact the NSU Box Office: 458-2075.

• The Second Annual Oklahoma Workshop on North American Languages. Registration fee required. Information: 444-3610.

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