Indigenous Languages Revitalization Seminar, Film Series, Powwow highlight annual event; actor Wes Studi, artist Samantha Crain, filmmaker Steven Paul Judd among presenters
Tahlequah, Okla. — Northeastern State University’s Center for Tribal Studies will host its 43rd Annual Symposium on the American Indian, April 14-18 at the Tahlequah campus. The theme of this year’s event is Children: The Seeds of Change.
An exciting addition to this year’s schedule is the presence and participation of Oklahoma-born Wes Studi, acclaimed Cherokee actor who has starred in Hollywood hits like “Dances With Wolves” and “Geronimo: An American Legend.”
Studi will be present on April 14 and 15; giving the keynote address on the latter day.
“What I am most happy about is to bring Wes Studi to the symposium—to have him here, to have him come back home,” said Alisa Douglas, CTS interim director and student coordinator.
The five-day symposium is free to the public, and includes a full schedule of educational lectures, panels, films, cultural activities and culminates with NSU’s Powwow.
The event kicks-off on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Webb Auditorium with “Ronnie BoDean,” the first feature from the symposium’s planned film series. It is directed by Kiowa and Choctaw filmmaker Steven Paul Judd, and stars Studi. A Q&A with both guests will follow the film.
The lectures and seminars will generally focus on topical issues, like teaching and preserving indigenous languages, Douglas said.
“A lot of the topics discussed are issues that American Indians have had to work through in the past and even today.”
A panel with Hawaiian-native Namaka Rawlins, Chumona Deere, Meda Nix, Kevin Roberts-Field and moderator Wyman Kirk, will discuss and field questions on Teaching Indigenous Languages. This focus continues Thursday, April 16, as Muscogee (Creek) Scholars host a Native Language Forum, followed by an Indigenous Languages Documentation and Revitalization Seminar which also continues into Friday as an all-day session.
According to Douglas, one of the main issues American Indians continually face is the revitalization of their languages.
The symposium will not be all talk, however. Attendees can participate in Walking for Fitness for the first three days, led by NSU graduate student Travis Wickliffe, or enjoy a free concert on Friday, April 17 as renowned musical artist Samantha Crain performs in the University Center Ballroom at 7 p.m.
Vendor booths, run mostly by Native American artists, will give the public a chance to purchase handmade beaded jewelry and art, and woven baskets.
The Powwow on Saturday April 18, the last day of the symposium, will take place in the University Center Ballroom from 2 p.m. until midnight. Guests can look forward to gourd and intertribal dancing, supper at 5 p.m. and the grand entry of performers two hours later.
There are no sign-up sheets for any of the events. Attendees simply show up and enjoy.
For the full schedule please visit www.nsuok.edu/symposium. For more information, contact the Center for Tribal Studies at 918-444-4350 or
