LEWISTON, Idaho – Innovations HTC indigenous outreach coordinator Roxanne White will be among the featured panelists at the 32nd Native American Awareness Week at Lewis-Clark State College on March 10-15.
This year’s theme is “Indigenous Women Rising” and the week features a writer’s workshop, presentations, pow wows and the Friendship Banquet. All events are free and open to the public.
A discussion on “Finding Your Fire – Putting Your Heart in your Heartwork” scheduled for Wednesday by poet and Dream Warriors founder Tanaya Winder will now be led by a panel of speakers instead.
The change is due to Winder being unable to attend because of illness. The panel, composed of Angela Picard, Rebecca Lehman, Marcie Carter, and Stacia Morfin, has volunteered to step in to fill the 10:30-11:45 a.m. discussion at the Williams Conference Center.
Renee Holt, project director at Washington State University’s Ti’tooq’an Cuuk’we’neewit, will facilitate the discussion. Picard is the Northwest Indian College Lapwai Site Coordinator, Lehman is the education/trainer representative for the Nez Perce Tribe Child Protection Services, Carter is the watershed coordinator with the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Department, and Morfin is the chief executive officer for Nez Perce Tourism, LLC.
A second schedule change will take place on Thursday as Native Max Magazine editor-in-chief Kelly Holmes had her flight cancelled out of Denver because of weather and is unable to attend.
Instead, Robbie Paul, former director of Washington State University’s Native American Health Sciences Program in Spokane, will present on “Native American Boarding School Experience and the Effects of Three Generations of the Nez Perce Jesse Paul Family.” The presentation will take place at 9-10:15 a.m. at the LCSC Williams Conference Center.
Holmes started the first Native American fashion magazine when she, along with a small staff, designed, wrote, and published Native Max’s first issue in 2012 when she was 20 years old. The magazine features profiles of Native American artists, designers, activists, and fashion icons. The magazine also highlights sports, culture, entertainment and fashion news. On top of being the editor-in-chief, Holmes is the creative director, publicist, model, stylist and one of the main writers. She is a member of the Lakota tribe and lives in the Denver area.
White is part of the administrative team for Innovations HTC, which seeks innovative solutions to end human trafficking. She is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and is a survivor of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual abuse. She uses her personal experience to bring awareness to those issues and to assist indigenous women and girls impacted by such trauma by supporting their healing through culture and traditional ceremony. Her talk at 1:30 p.m. on March 14 is entitled “The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Movement.”
The third annual Native American Women Writer’s Workshop will be held on March 11-12 as part of the week as well. The workshop is free to the public. There will be panel discussions at 2-4 p.m. both days along with a reception in the evening of March 11, and a tribute to the late Margo Aragon and her long relationship with LCSC on March 12.
The week wraps up with the annual Friendship Banquet on March 14 at 6-9 p.m. in the Williams Conference Center and then the LCSC Pow Wow at 7 p.m. on March 15 at the LCSC Activity Center.
The week is presented by the LCSC Native American Club and Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services office. Supporters include the Office of the President, Idaho Humanities Council, Associated Students of LCSC, LCSC Warrior Entertainment Board, the President’s Diversity Commission, Social Sciences Division, Teacher Education Division, Movement & Sport Sciences Division, the Nez Perce Tribe, Pi’amkinwaas, and the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge.
The full schedule for the weeklong celebration is listed below. For more information contact Robert Sobotta, director of Native American, Minority & Veterans’ Services, at 208-792-2858 or [email protected].
All events are at the LCSC Williams Conference Center unless otherwise noted.
Monday, March 11
2-4 p.m. – Nez Perce Women’s Writers’ Workshop Author Panel Discussion. Panelists: Velda Penney and Agnes Weakus.
5:30-8 p.m. – Native American Women Writers’ Workshop Reception. Keynote speakers: Jaci McCormack and screenwriter Dennis Lee,
Tuesday, March 12
10-11:15 a.m. – Mini Pow Wow for area fourth grade classes, LCSC Activity Center.
2-4 p.m. – Nez Perce Women’s Writers’ Workshop Writing & Publishing Panel Discussion. Panelists: John Herrington, TBA.
5:30-8 p.m. – Nez Perce Women’s Writers Institute, dedicated to the works of the late Margo Aragon, Silverthorne Theatre.
Wednesday, March 13
9-10:15 a.m. – “Nez Perce 101 – A Forum focused on creating a stronger understanding of the Nez Perce Tribe.” Panelists: Rebecca Miles, Nez Perce Tribal executive director; Julie Kane, Nez Perce Tribe Office of Legal Counsel; and Chantelle Eastman, Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee.
10:30-11:35 a.m. – “Finding Your Fire – Putting the Heart in Heartwork.”.
1:30-2:45 p.m. – “LCSC Native American Women Student Panel – Reaching academic and individual goals.” Student panelists: Wetalu Rodriguez, Mikailah Thompson and Sahalie Crain.
3-4:15 p.m. – Nez Perce Language Panel. Panelists: Nez Perce elders Bessie Scott and Florine Davis; facilitated by Angel Sobotta.
Thursday, March 14
9-10:15 a.m. – “Creating Story through Fashion.” Panelist: Kelly Holmes, Native Max Magazine founder.
10:30-11:45 a.m. – “Women and Wellness on the Nez Perce Reservation.” Nimiipuu Health panel with Karee Picard, ‘Uuyit Kimti, Women’s Outreach Program; Merrell (Beck) Simpson, Community Health; and Myra Campbell, Behavior Health Program.
1:30-2:45 p.m. – “The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Movement (MMIW).” Panelist: Roxanne White, Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative, Seattle.
6-9 p.m. – Friendship Banquet– Presentations of the NAAW Lifetime Achievement Award, the Isaac “Ike” Wilson Memorial Scholarship, and other scholarships.
Friday, March 15
7 p.m.-midnight – LCSC Pow Wow, LCSC Activity Center.