Symposium Agenda
52nd Annual Symposium on the American Indian
Reclamation for an Indigenous Future
April 7-12, 2025
- 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Cherokee Film presents: "Let's Talk Cherokee" screening with special guests, UC Ballroom
- 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Cherokee Film presents: Rings of Power: Episode 1 in ᏣᎳᎩ, UC Ballroom
- 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Welcome
- 9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Opening Ceremony
- Dr. Don Fixico - "Modern Tribal Sovereignty in the 21st Century"
- 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Christia Shaw, MS - Examining the Lived Experiences of Native American Law Students
- Cynthia Ruiz and Abraham Bearpaw - Cherokee Wisdom for Becoming a Powerful Leader
- Meschelle Linjean, Student Presentation - Grounded Reconnection for Mutual Reclamation: Supporting Indigenous Adoptees’ Contributions to an Indigenous Future
- 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break
- 1:00 p.m. - 1: 50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Zoe Toledo - Strengthening Cherokee Nation Health: The Intersection of Sovereignty, Healthcare, and Capacity
- Kaysa Whitley - Westwin Resitance: Modern resistance tactics against archaic ideologies
- Dr. Michelle Martin, Student Presentation - Let Us Be Wise: A Student Researched and Created Museum Exhibit
- 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Lisa Byers - Indigenous Female Leadership
- Amaiya Bearpaw - Incorporating Cherokee Language in the RTR Ride
- Blain McLain - NSU Archives and Special Collections: Cherokee Historical Materials
- 3:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Christopher Coursey - Cherokee Short Film: Siren of the Wood
- Delanie Seals - Traditional Stewardship: Examining Tribal Environmental Practices in Oklahoma
- Morgen Cloud - She Haunts, Subverts, and Reclaims: Cherokee Resistance through Relationship and Memory
- 4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Dr. Corey Still - Developing a Gaduwa Theoretical Framework for Modern Research
- Lily Drywater - How to Transition From a Group of Individuals to a Community
- Shawn Watts - Indigenous Guardians: The Future of Environmental Justice and Climate Solutions
- 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | An Evening with Chuj Mackey
- 9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Keynote Speaker
- Dr. Cornel Pewewardy - "The Hunt for Red Pedagogy"
- 11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Dr. Farina King - Learning and Teaching Indigenous Truthtelling of Boarding Schools: Collaborative Approaches to Amplify Native Voices (Part I)
- Dr. Jamie Bartgis/Dr. Corey Still - Enhancing a System of Care through Community Leadership and Governance Alignment
- Cyrus Crane, David Cole, Carrie Keener, Zoe Wyatt/ Student Presentation - Improving Cherokee Language Accessibility Using Modern Communication Methods
- 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- A Healing Journey - Presented by the Comanche Academy Charter School and Foundation
- 3:00 p,m. - 3:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Dr. Corey Still/Dr. Jamie Bartgis - Safeguarding and Empowering Tribal Data Sovereignty Through Indigenous Research and Evaluation
- Dr. Erin Dyke - Learning and Teaching Indigenous Truthtelling of Boarding Schools: Collaborative Approaches to Amplify Native Voices (Part II)
- Preston Hopkins/Student Presentation - What Tribe Are We Talking About
- Victoria Weathers/Student Presentation - Preserving Indigenous Languages
- 4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions
- Mahlia Upchurch - Native Identity in Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter: Blood Quantum, Enrollment, Sovereignty, and Kinship
- Chad Smith - Cherokee Nation Proceed Undaunted
- Jenna Warneke/Student Presentation - Incorporating Native American Traditions in Interior Design: A Mixed-Methods Study
- 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Presenter Breakfast w/ Coffee and Donuts
- 9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Keynote Speaker
- Dr. Sky Wildcat - "Reclamation Story of a (former) Graduate Student"
- 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break
- 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Gourd Dance
- 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. | Grand Entry
