March 31st, 2010
Texas State to host Native American cultural conference

STAFF REPORT

The Fourth Annual Native American Cultural Awareness Conference will be held at Texas State on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center on campus.

The conference is sponsored by the  Native American Student Association. The event is free and open to the public.

The conference features hour long presentations by a dozen different Native Americans from all walks of life. There will be Native American vendors, artists, dancers and drummers.

Lecture topics include “Blood Politics,” by anthropologist and University of Texas associate professor Circe Sturm, “Border Wall,” by Lipan Apache civil rights leader, lecturer, professional nurse, professor and retired Army Officer Eloisa Tamez, and “Saving Native American History” by retired army colonel and Chickasaw tribal elder Gene Thompson.

Kathering Koebbe, a graduate student of history of Texas State and a member of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, will give a presentation on “Ceramic Styles and the Question of Shantok.” Flutist, flute maker and member of the Creek Nation William Harjo will speak on “Native American Influence on Jazz: Breaking down the origins.”

Attendees are welcomed to come for an early free breakfast before the lectures begin from 8-9:30 a.m. Attendees also are invited to partake in a free catered lunch from 12:30-2 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom, sponsored by the Native American Student Association.

For more information on the event or to arrange for special accommodations, Contact Roxana Tuff at rt15@txstate.edu. at least 48 hours before the event.