Native Pride Lecture Series offers insights on American Indian culture

October 9, 2009

Four voices offering legal, philosophical, sociological and historical perspectives will speak on American Indian culture at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during its eighth annual Native Pride Lecture Series. UW-Whitewater’s Native American Cultural Awareness Association sponsors the series.

Sophomore Ethan Neerdaels, president of UW- Whitewater's Native American Cultural Awareness Association, defines native pride as "being dedicated to your own identity, no matter what." This respect and dedication is the motivation behind the series.

"It's important to learn one's cultural past and put that forward to teach others," said sophomore Adam Kiel, vice-president of the Native American Cultural Awareness Association.

The Native Pride Lecture Series has grown from one speaker a year to a series of four speakers to appeal to a wider range of students' interest. The association encourages all students to attend regardless of ethnicity.

"It's not something the average student is really exposed to," Neerdaels said. "However, it's part of the history of the American people."

The first guest speaker is Melissa Holds the Enemy, a student in the University of Wisconsin Law School. Holds the Enemy is a Crow Indian and will speak about "Sovereignty and Citizenship" at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, in room 2203 in Hyland Hall.

There will be three other guest speakers and each lecture is free and open to the public:

  • 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec.  3, in the Old Main Ballroom in the James R. Connor University Center: John Trudell, a poet, musician and activist in the American Indian Civil Rights Movement, will speak about “Perceptions of Reality”
  • 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Summers Auditorium in the James R. Connor University Center:Doug Kiel, a doctoral student of history at the UW-Madison, will speak about “Indian Families and the Changing Federal Policy”
  • 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 10, in Summers Auditorium in the James R. Connor University Center:Philip Deloria, professor of American culture, Native American studies and history at the University of Michigan, will speak about “American Indians in the Popular Imagination”

For more information regarding the lecture series contact Ethan Neerdaels at neerdaele14@uww.edu or 920-412-6002

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