Schedule of Events

Oklahoma Fancy Dance

38th Annual Symposium on the American Indian
Northeastern State University


Monday
 | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday


Monday, April 12

Pre-Symposium Event

7 p.m., 2010 American Indian Symposium Film Series
Our Spirits Don't Speak English: Indian Boarding Schools
NET Auditorium
Told from the Native American perspective, this documentary uncovers the dark history of U.S. government Indian education policy and gives a voice to the countless children forced through the system. A Rich-Heape Films production, 2008. Rated for all ages. 80 minutes. To learn more, visit www.richheape.com.
Sponsor: National Indian Women's Health Resource Center
Hosted by NSU Coalition for HIV/AIDS Education Promotion and Native Peer Educators


Tuesday, April 13

Pre-Symposium Event

7 p.m., 2010 American Indian Symposium Film Series
Early Feature: Cherokee Documentaries Special Screening
NET Auditorium
Joseph Erb (Cherokee) & Roy Boney (Cherokee)
Two new documentaries will be introduced by Cherokee filmmakers Joseph Erb and Roy Boney. Commissioned for the National Park Service and Cherokee Nation, The Trail of Tears tells the story of Cherokee removal from an inside perspective (23 minutes). Cherokee Immersion opens the doors to the classrooms where children are empowered to carry the gift of language into the future through a tribal language revitalization initiative (20 minutes). Special recognition of local cast and crew.
Sponsors: Cherokee Nation CRC, LLC and Cherokee Nation Education Services Group

Late Feature: Native Film Entrepreneurs - Screening with Q&A
Nathan Young, (Pawnee/Delaware) & Sterlin Harjo (Muscogee [Creek]/Seminole)
Young and Harjo discuss their selections of experimental short films by peers in the growing pool of emerging Native filmmakers. Film selections include Blackhorse Lowe's Shimisani (20 minutes); Kevin Lee Burton's Nikamowin (11 minutes); and Andrew Okpeaha Maclean's Sikumi (On the Ice) (15 minutes).
Sponsor: American Indian Resource Center


Wednesday, April 14

All Day Activities

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Traditional Arts Vendor Booths, Ballroom Lounge, UC 2nd Floor
Institutional Information Booths, Ballroom A, UC 2nd Floor
RiverHawk Shoppe Book Sale, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor
Publisher Book Display, Registration Area, UC 2nd Floor Landing
Cinema Arts - Short Films, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor (Daily Schedule TBA)

General Assembly

Herb Rozell Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor

9:30 a.m., Opening Ceremony
Native American Student Association
Hyde Toppah, NASA President, presiding

Presentation of Colors (color guard)
Traditional Flag Song
President Don Betz, NSU Welcome
Special Recognitions

10 a.m., Keynote Address: What I know about Higher Education
Rozell Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Henrietta Mann (Cheyenne), Founding President of Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal College in Weatherford, Okla.; Chair of Native American Studies, Montana State University, Bozeman.
The focus of this session is tribal college initiatives and how Oklahoma tribes are practicing sovereignty in higher education. This is the 30+ year experiential journey of one Cheyenne woman in higher education, from Cal Berkeley to Harvard University to becoming the first person to dill the Katz Endowed Chair in Native American Studies at Montana State University, and finally her return to assist the Cheyenne and Arapaho in building their tribal college in their territorial homeland.

11 a.m., Special Presentation: Roots from the Cherokees, Promises for our Future: The Chronicle of Northeastern State University
Rozell Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Brad Agnew, Professor of History, NSU College of Liberal Arts; author
A special presentation of the NSU Centennial history book by its author. The book is "dedicated to those who laid the foundation and maintained the educational tradition pioneered by the Cherokees." Book signing will follow.

Noon, Lunch on your Own
On campus: UC Market Cafe, 1st Floor; UC Food Court, Basement; Flo's Place, Wilson Hall

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

1-2:15 p.m., 1st Concurrent Block

Cherokee Language Student Presentations
Redbud Room, UC 3rd Floor
Wyman Kirk (Cherokee), Instructor, Cherokee Language Degree Program, NSU; member of the program's development team and instructor since its inception in 2005. Ph.D. candidate in anthropology, Indiana University.
Student Presenters: Travis Wolfe, Betty Frogg, Dora Dunn and Isaiah Soap. All are students in Advanced or Intermediate Cherokee courses.
Students from selected courses in the Cherokee Program, along with their instructor, will present information and their thoughts on a wide range of topics and issues. Delivered in Cherokee, these presentations represent the growth that many of these students have had while in the Cherokee Program.

Native American Population at High Risk for Hearing Problems
Morgan Room, UC 3rd Floor
Dr. Karen Patterson, Professor, Speech Language Pathology, NSU
Significant hearing loss and deafness affect quality of life, communication, and social interaction. Native American are at a high risk for hearing problems caused by genetics, noise, medication and aging. Learn what you can do to prevent hearing loss and to improve communication problems. Complimentary screening will be offered following presentation and again on Thursday.

Stephen Mopope: Kiowa Fancy Dancer
Ballroom B, UC Second Floor
Vanessa Jennings, Kiowa traditionalist and cradleboard maker, is the granddaughter of Stephen Mopope, a Kiowa Five artist whose original mural is displayed on the wall in Seminary Hall on the NSU campus. Jennings has preserved family history and cultural knowledge passed through generations in photographs, documents, song, oral tradition and artwork. Her work is documented in the video Kiowa Cradleboard Maker, produced by Full Circle Communications, and is also in an OETA Stateline documentary, The People, episode #1007.

1-3 p.m., Outdoor Event: Stickball Exhibition Game
Beta Field (weather permitting)
Native American Student Association (NASA)
Coordinator: Chris Smith
(Cherokee)
Observe the game traditionally referred to as the "Little brother of war" among Southeastern tribes. In the Northeast, the game of lacrosse is believed to have evolved from this ancient sport. A significant part of the traditional social and religious heritage of many tribal groups, a version o fthe game has been adapted in contemporary culture as a competitive recreational sport played by both men and women. Audience participation is welcome. Signed waivers of liability are required.

2:30-3:40 p.m., 2nd Concurrent Block

Black Elk's European Adventure: A Lakota Experiences the World of the White Men
Room 223, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Raymond DeMallie, professor of Anthropology and co-director, American Indian Studies Research Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington.
This presentation focuses on the Oglala Lakota holy man Black Elk and his travels with Buffalo Bill's Wild West in the U.S. and Europe. Investigating the significance of this adventure for him and others who used the opportunity to learn about the world beyond the Pine Ridge Reservation can help in understanding the complext relationship between tradition and Christianity that characterized the period of transition from the old way life to the new.

Fancy Dance: Representation of a Cultural Evolution
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Kelly B. Anquoe (Dahausan), Kiowa traditionalist, musician, artist
This session will provide insight into the development of contemporary Native American culture from an internal perspective with emphasis on the state of Oklahoma and the powwow. The Fancy Dance is representative of this evolution and continues to alter the culture-scape for descendents of the "Indian Wars." Drastic, and many times controversial and unwelcome, changes in music, dance, clothing, tradition, language, painting, ceremony and tribal identity have been met throughout the last 100 years by a strong will for survival and recognition of those who have gone before. Lecture with audio-visuals, followed by Q&A.

Restricted Lands vs. Trust Lands
Room 224, UC 2nd Floor
George Wickliffe (United Keetoowah Band), Principal Chief, UKB, NSU alumnus, fluent Cherokee speaker
This session will focus on Choerkee history, including Cherokee government as it pertains to the Dawes allotments, Curtis Act, etc., and establishment of allotments and trusts. The impending settlement of the class action lawsuit known as the "Cobell case" reminds us that "restricted Indians" are not past history, especially among tribes like the UKB, whose citizens are required to have at least one-fourth degree blood quantum.

3:30-5 p.m., Hearing Tests: Walk-In Screening
Morgan Room, UC 3rd Floor
Dr. Karen Patterson, NSU Speech and Hearing Clinic
As a service of the NSU Speech and Hearing Clinic, symposium participants and guests are invited to come by for a hearing test on Wednesday afternoon. Just walk in and sign up.

4-4:45 p.m., Reception for Miss NASA 2010-2011
UC Terrace, 2nd Floor
Native American Student Association (NASA)
Join Miss NASA 2009-2010 Mallory Buckley (Choctaw/Creek) and members of the Native American Student Association for the introduction of Miss NASA 2010-2011.
Sponsor: Muscogee Creek Nation Casino

Evening Special Events

7 p.m., 2010 American Indian Symposium Film Series
Documentary: The People, OETA Stateline (Episode 1007)
NET Auditorium
Introduction by Vanessa Jennings, Kiowa traditionalist and cradleboard maker, is the graddaughter of Stephen Mopope, a Kiowa Five artist whose original mural is displayed on the wall in Seminary Hall on the NSU campus. Jennings will be joined by Joyce Childers Bear (Muscogee [Creek]), NSU alumna and graduate of Haskell Institute, for Q&A.
At the turn of the 20th century, boarding schools stripped native language and culture from children in an effort to "kill the Indian and save the man." This documentary examines the struggle to preserve ancient tradition in a modern world, as OETA Stateline explores what is happening in Oklahoma to preserve the identity of "The People." (60 minutes) Appropriate for all ages.


Thursday, April 15

All Day Activities

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Traditional Arts Vendor Booths, Ballroom Lounge, UC 2nd Floor
Institutional Information Booths, Ballroom A, UC 2nd Floor
RiverHawk Shoppe Book Sale, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor
Publisher Book Display, Registration Area, UC 2nd Floor Landing
Cinema Arts - Short Films, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor (Daily Schedule TBA)

Morning General Assembly

Herb Rozell Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor

10 a.m. Opening Session
Indian University Scholars Society
Janelle Adair
(United Keetoowah Band), IUSS President, presiding
Recognition of Tribal Flags
Remembrance of Service Members
United Keetoowah Band Cherokee Children's Choir
Introduction of Keynote Panel

10:30-11:45 a.m. Panel: Indigenous Studies in the 21st Century
Panelists: Dr. Richard Allen, Dr. Phyllis Fife, Dr. Les Hannah and Dr. Jerry Bread. Allen is a policy analyst for Cherokee Nation, Fife is director of the NSU Center for Tribal Studies, Hannah is chair for the NSU Department of Languages & Literature and coordinator of Cherokee degree programs, and Bread is outreach coordinator for Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma. All are NSU alumni.
Panelists will discuss the growing globalization of Indigenous Studies and the place-based nature of issues such as tribal sovereignty, environmental sustainability, Native language, economics, health and welfare, and cultural diversity.

Noon Lunch on your own
On campus: UC Market Cafe, 1st Floor; UC Food Court, Basement; Flo's Place, Wilson Hall

Afternoon Sessions

1-2:15 p.m., 1st Concurrent Block

Foundations of Computers in Cherokee: Social Media and the Next Generation of the Cherokee Conversation
Morgan Room, UC 3rd Floor
Joseph Erb (Cherokee) & Roy Boney (Cherokee)
Computer technology is the new foundation for Cherokee language revitalization. Non-stop progression through rapidly evolving platforms brings instant globalization of a very localized language. Creating effective and user-friendly social media netowrks requires human input from the experts - elders and fluent Cherokee speakers.

Cherokee Casinos: Tribal Sovereignty in Tourism and Entertainment
Room 223-224, UC 2nd Floor
Dave Stewart, president and CEO of Cherokee Nation’s three largest wholly-owned tribal businesses, including Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC and Hard Rock Casino-Tulsa
Tribally owned casinos have changed the landscape in Oklahoma in the last decade. Stewart will describe Cherokee Nation's gaming business and its role in tribal and state economies.

Cherokee Language Student Presentations
Redbud Room, UC 3rd Floor
Wyman Kirk (Cherokee), Instructor, Cherokee Language Degree Program, NSU; member of the program's development team and instructor since its inception in 2005. Ph.D. candidate in anthropology, Indiana University.
Student Presenters: Sherry Gammon, Ben Kester, JC Lowe, Chris Holmes and Stephanie Holcomb. All are students in either the Advanced or Intermediate Cherokee courses.
Students from selected courses in the Cherokee Program, along with their instructor, will present information and their thoughts on a wide range of topics and issues. Delivered in Cherokee, these presentations represent the growth that many of these students have had while in the Cherokee Program.

1-4 p.m., Outdoor Event: Traditional Cornstalk Shoot
Soccer Field (weather permitting)
Cherokee Cornstalk Shoot Society
Coordinators: Jesse Grayson,
Cherokee Cornstalk Shoot Society
The traditional cornstalk shoot began in the days of our ancestors. Games were often held in a centeral location hosting many archers from near and far; other games were held in backyards or by archers who would invite local archers over for a good game and betting on the side. The Cherokee Cornstalk Shoot Society will lead this competition and audience participation is encouraged. Signed waivers of liability are required. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place.

2:30-3:45 p.m., 2nd Concurrent Block

Websites about Indians from Federal Government Agencies: Workshop on navigating government documents for researching tribes
Redbud Room, UC 3rd Floor
Steve Beleu, Regional Despository Librarian, U.S. Government Information Division, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Oklahoma City, and Susan Woitte, Documents Librarian, John Vaughan Library, NSU
Learn how to get the most out of the websites operated by federal government agencies by and for Indians, including the Indian Education Office, HUD Office of Native Programs, USA.gov's "For Tribal Governments and Native Americans" webpages, the CDC, the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and others.

Tri-cultural Muscogee Hymns
Room 223-224, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Hugh Foley, associate professor of Fine Arts, Rogers State University, Claremore, is a musicologist and author. His primary areas of scholarship are American Studies with an emphasis on Oklahoma music and culture, Native American studies and cinema.
Contemporary Muscogee (Creek) hymns are a unique, tri-cultural musical form that evolved from the shared history of Scottish immigrants and missionaries, slaves of African descent, and Muscogee people who converted to Christianity beginning in the 19th century. This presentation traces the diffusion of these hymns from the Scottish Highlands, through Georgia and Alabama, to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma. Additionall, the presentation explores the layered meanings of some of the hymns which refer not only to the Christian journey, but the pain and suffereing of the removal period of the Creeks in the 1830s.

2-4 p.m.
4th Annual Cherokee Language Forum (conducted in Cherokee language)
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Moderators: Harry Oosahwee, instructor, NSU Cherokee Degree Program, Cherokee Nation
Panelists: TBA
Fluent Cherokee speakers from diverse communities in Oklahoma and North Carolina will discuss current tribal language issues giving the audience a unique opportunity to experience the spoken Cherokee language and different dialects.
Sponsor: NSU Cherokee Degree Program, Department of Languages and Literature, College of Liberal Arts

2:30-4 p.m.
Hearing Tests: Walk-in Screening
Morgan Room, UC 3rd Floor
Dr. Karen Patterson, NSU Speech and Hearing Clinic
As a service of the NSU Speech and Hearing Clinic, symposium participants and guests are invited to come by for a hearing test on Thursday afternoon. Just walk in and sign up.

Evening Events

6-8 p.m., Seminary One: Indigenous Language Documentation and Revitalization
Expressing the Possibilities of Possibility in Native Language
Morgan Room, UC 3rd Floor
Team Leader: Akira Yamamoto, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Kansas
Seminar Leaders (Listed with language focus): Marcellino Berardo (Algonquian), Durbin Feeling (Cherokee and Iroquoian), Colleen Fitzgerald & Students (Tohono O'odham and Uto-Aztecan), Tracy Hirata-Edds (Cherokee and first language acquisition) Mary Linn (Euchee and Southeastern languages), Donna Longhorn (Shawnee), Juliet Morgan (Plains Apache), Jack B. Martin (Muskogean and Southeastern languages), Brad Montgomery-Anderson (Cherokee and Mayan languages), Amber A. Neely (Kiowa), Lizette Peter (Cherokee and second language teaching), and Akira & Kimiko Yamamoto (Yuman and Algonquian languages).This team of seminar leaders will cover much of the language families that might be represented by the seminar participants. this means that each participant will have a linguist and language learning/teaching specialist to work with during the Friday whole-day seminar.
The evening seminar is a general orientation on the issues surrounding language endangerment and revitalization. In many communitites, the fact is that many children are not acquiring our Native languages partly because Native languages are not spoken at home. Schools and communities are making efforts to teach a new generation of parents who will actively use Native language in everyday life. There will be a presentation on how a successful example of community-based language program collaborates with academic professionals.
Co-sponsors: Oklahoma Native Languages Association, Oklahoma Humanities Council, NSU Department of Languages and Literature, NSU Center for Tribal Studies, Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, Native Languages Department of the University of Oklahoma Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas Department of Anthropology

7-10 p.m., Community Event: Indian Marbles Exhibition Games
Cherokee Heritage Center Marble Field (weather permitting)
Coordinator: Dr. Gloria Sly, Cherokee Marble Society
Presenter: Dennis Sixkiller, Cherokee Marble Society
The Cherokee Marble Society invites guests to ovserve their weekly Thursday night Indian marble game in action. The Cherokee game of Indian marbles has a long history in Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah, Delaware, and Mayes Counties in Oklahoma. Played on a dirt-surfaced playing field using a course of five holes, players move their marbles from a standing posture using an underhand throw. This challenging game involves physical skill, team strategy, and complex memory skills. Observers should be prepared to watch the action in the traditional way of the game - with no scoreboard and no announcer.
Co-sponsors: Cherokee Marble Society and the Cherokee Heritage Center

7 p.m., 2010 American Indian Film Series
Film Screening: The Dead Can't Dance
NET Auditorium
Rodrick Pocowatchit (Comanche, Pawnee, Shawnee), BFA, Kansas State University, received the promising Newcomer Award, San Francisco Film Festival, studied screenwriting at the Sundance Institute, columnist and film critic for the Wichita Eagle.
Pocowatchit, a writer/director/actor, will introduce his third feature film, a comedy/adventure with Comanche subtitles which follows three Native American men who discover they are somehow immune to a mysterious plague that is turning everone else into zombies. Harmyfilms.com Pocowatchit's Harmyfilms previously screened at the Symposium Film Series were Dancing on the Moon and Sleepwalker.


Friday, April 16

All Day Activities

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Traditional Arts Vendor Booths, Ballroom Lounge, UC 2nd Floor
Institutional Information Booths, Ballroom A, UC 2nd Floor
RiverHawk Shoppe Book Sale, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor
Publisher Book Display, Registration Area, UC 2nd Floor Landing
Cinema Arts - Short Films, Room 222, UC 2nd Floor (Daily Schedule TBA)

All Day Concurrent Event

Morning Session, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., MorganRoom, UC 3rd Floor
Registration 8:30-9 a.m.

Seminar Two: Indigenous Language Documentation and Revitalization
Expressing the Possibilities of Possibility in Native Languages
Team leader: Akira Yamamoto, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Kansas
Seminar leaders (listed with language focus): Marcellino Berardo (Algonquian), Durbin Feeling (Cherokee and Iroquoian), Colleen Fitzgerald & students (Tohono O’odham and Uto-Aztecan), Tracy Hirata-Edds (Cherokee and first language acquisition), Mary Linn (Euchee and Southeastern languages), Donna Longhorn (Shawnee), Juliet Morgan (Plains Apache), Jack B. Martin (Muskogean and Southeastern languages), Brad Montgomery-Anderson (Cherokee and Mayan languages), Amber A. Neely (Kiowa), Lizette Peter (Cherokee and second language teaching), and Akira & Kimiko Yamamoto (Yuman and Algonquian languages).
Modality expression will be the topic of discussion for the morning session with group interaction in the development of applications of modality expression for language teaching. The power of languages will be explored by examining how each language may linguistically encode the attitudes of speakers toward what they say, i.e., modality. The goal of the seminar is twofold: (1) review and document how speakers encode their attitudes toward what they say in their languages, and (2) synthesize the knowledge about our languages in our preparation of teaching materials and in developing teaching techniques that will inspire our learners.

The seminar begins with the modality expression-oriented discussions and exercises (coordinated and led by Brad Montgomery-Anderson), followed by preparation of materials in the morning and materials production in the afternoon (coordinated and led by Marcellino Berardo).

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Lunch and move to Bagley Hall (Education Building) for afternoon session

1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Room 110, Bagley Hall (formerly Education Bldg.)
The final session will utilize computer technology in documenting ideas, strategies, stories, songs, skits, images, and other productions using multimedia tools. The seminar will conclude with a review of activities, sharing of completed language materials, and discussion.

Co-sponsors:  Oklahoma Native Languages Association, Oklahoma Humanities Council, NSU College of Education, NSU Center for Tribal Studies, Cherokee Nation Cultural Resource Center, Native Languages Department of the University of Oklahoma Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas Department of Anthropology

Morning Sessions

9:30 a.m., General Assembly
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Russell Harjo (Seminole/Pawnee), AISES President, presiding
American Indian Science and Engineering Society, NSU Chapter

9:45 a.m., AISES Year in Review
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor

10-10:50 a.m., Keynote Address: Nothing Fancy – Just Living a Dream
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
John Herrington (Chickasaw), Commander, U.S. Navy, retired; veteran astronaut for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); charter member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Aviation and space science were never beyond the reach of a young Chickasaw boy from rural Oklahoma. Herrington will discuss the path to his career as a pilot and astronaut, which ultimately took him on a mission to the International Space Station. Motivation and mentors played major roles in his success and he urges others to recognize the impact they can have on young lives.
Sponsors: ExxonMobil and Chickasaw Nation

10:50-11:45 a.m., AISES Fancy Science Expo
Ballroom C, UC 2nd Floor
Hands-on science demonstrations and science fair projects by high school and college students
Sponsor: EPSCoR

11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fancy Science: STEM Field Innovations and Advancements in Tribal Communities
Luncheon with Panel Discussion (Limited Seating - lunchean ticket required)
Ballroom A, UC 2nd Floor
Moderator: Dr. Dan Howard (Cherokee/Shawnee), National Science Foundation Fellow, University of Toronto; NSU alumnus
Panelists: Dr. Davis Close, University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre; Tom Elkins, Cherokee Nation Department of Environmental Services; Daniel Faddis, Cherokee Nation Science Education and Outreach Specialist; John Herrington (Chickasaw), Commander, U.S. Navy, retired; veteran astronaut for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); charter member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society; Jann Rose, Osage Nation Enviromental and Natural Resources Department; Victor Roubidoux, Iowa Nation of Oklahoma Wild Eagle Rehabilitation Program.

Afternoon Sessions

1:30-2:45 p.m., 1st Concurrent Block

The Role of the University in Language Revitalization: Western Carolina University and the Cherokee Language
Room 223, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Hartwell Francis & Tom Belt (Cherokee), Western Carolina University Cherokee Language Program. Francis is director; Belt is coordinator.
Through the generous support of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and under the leadership of Tom Hatley (WCU Sequoyah Professor 2006), Western Carolina University created the WCU Cherokee Language Program. WCU hired Hartwell Francis as director and Thomas Belt as coordinator. We reflect on our experiences: successes, failures, and future. We offer a case study of a post-secondary institution working with regional institutions and with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' tribal institutions.

Panel: Indian Child Welfare
Redbud Room, UC 3rd Floor
Moderator: Dr. Virginia Whitekiller (Cherokee), Associate Professor of Social Work, NSU
Panelists: Steve Wahnee & Dawn Yahola, Muscogee (Creek) Nation ICWA, and Kara Whitworth, Cherokee Nation ICWA
Panel will present an overview of the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Creek Nation Indian Child Welfare Programs, along with a description of the challenges faced and the advancements made toward the protection of Indian children. The NSU Child Welfare Specialization Traineeship Program, which targets the prepartion of social work students to enter the field of tribal, private or county child welfare, will also be discussed.

1:45-2:45 p.m. Tamaalwit: The Sacred Law and the Importance of Traditional Knowledge
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. David Close, University of British Columbia, Vancouver; director of the Aboriginal Fisheries Research Unit at the UBC Fisheries Centre
The scientific study of aboriginal fisheries and other technologies challenges researchers to seek an understanding of traditional knowledge.

3:30-4 p.m. Closing General Session: Oklahoma Fancy Dance
Ballroom B, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Edgarita Long (Pawnee), associate professor of Speech Language Pathology, NSU; Pawnee traditionalist
The Grand Finale presents a video demonstration of men’s and women’s powwow dance styles/types, featuring fancy dancer, Pete Moore, Jr. (Pawnee/Otoe). Audience members will receive a powwow booklet that defines/explains each of the dance steps and regalia, powwow protocol, and a list of the 2010 NSU Spring Powwow head staff.

Evening Event

6-10 p.m., NSU Spring Powwow
Rozell Ballroom, UC 2nd Floor
Hosted by NSU Native Student Organizations
Head Staff:

Hammond Motah (Comanche), Master of Ceremonies
Kiowa Black Leggings Society, Color Guard
Tommy Snowball (Winnebago), Head Man Dancer
Crystal Perry (Pawnee/Navajo/Iowa), Head Lady Dancer
Cherokee Gourd Society, Head Gourd Dancer
Hyde Toppah, (Kiowa/Navajo) Head Singer
Patrick Moore (Pawnee/Otoe), Arena Director
Lyndreth (Tugger) Palmer, Commander
8 p.m. Grand Entry
Vendor booths available. Contact Center for Tribal Studies at 918-444-4350 or tribalstudies@nsuok.edu.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, American Indian Alumni Association, private contributions


Saturday, April 17

Post-Symposium Workshop

9 a.m.-4 p.m., 3rd Annual Oklahoma Workshop on North American Languages
Morgan Room, UC 2nd Floor
Dr. Brad Montgomery-Anderson, assistant professor, Cherokee Language Education Degree Program, NSU
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald, University of Texas - Arlington
A workshop focused on descriptive studies of indigenous languages of North America. Participants will present 20 minute talks followed by questions and answers. (Registration fee required). For information call (918) 444-3610.
Sponsors: NSU College of Liberal Arts, NSU Center for Tribal Studies

Afternoon/Evening Event

1 p.m.-Midnight, NSU Spring Powwow
Rozell Ballroom, UC 2nd Floor
Hosted by NSU Native Student Organizations
Head Staff:

Hammond Motah (Comanche), Master of Ceremonies
Kiowa Black Leggings Society, Color Guard
Tommy Snowball (Winnebago), Head Man Dancer
Crystal Perry (Pawnee/Navajo/Iowa), Head Lady Dancer
Cherokee Gourd Society, Head Gourd Dancer
Hyde Toppah, (Kiowa/Navajo) Head Singer
Patrick Moore (Pawnee/Otoe), Arena Director
Lyndreth (Tugger) Palmer, Commander
1 p.m. Gourd Dancing
5 p.m. Supper
7 p.m. Grand Entry
Contests (point system)
Vendor booths available. Contact Center for Tribal Studies at 918-444-4350 or tribalstudies@nsuok.edu.
Sponsors: Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, American Indian Alumni Association, NSU Foundation, private contributions