OSU Native American students to host conference

The Ohio State University and the OSU American Indian Council will hold a student conference and Powwow, Feb. 27-29. The conference will be held in Independence Hall on Friday (2/27) and Hitchcock Hall on Saturday (2/28). The Powwow portion of the event will be held at the French Field House on Saturday and Sunday (2/28 and 29). Events are free and open to the public.

The theme of the conference is “Paving the Way for the Seventh Generation: Preserving Our Culture in the Face of Colonialism.” Organizers say the events are meant to provide advocacy and education to the Native community on campus and also serve as a cultural event to help form a bridge of understanding to non-Native peoples.

The conference comes as Ohio State takes steps to increase services that support Indigenous students. The Office of Housing and Residence Education, along with American Indian Student Services, is developing a Native American Living Learning Program which will open in September. And a proposal to offer a minor in Native American Studies is under consideration.

The conference portion of the weekend will feature workshops and speakers that highlight issues in American Indian higher education. Ada Deer, former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior and first woman chair of the Menominee Nation, will speak at 9:30 a.m. on Friday (2/27) in 100 Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave. Charlene Teters, a founding board member of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media who challenges inappropriate uses of American Indian images, will speak at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday (2/28) in 131 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave.

The Powwow, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 9:30 pm. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday in French Field House, celebrates the coming together of students throughout Ohio and the Big Ten. It will include Native music, a drum contest, and smoke dancing. The Grand Entry will occur at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and at noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Organizers expect approximately 250 students to attend the conference, and 7,000 visitors throughout the weekend.

A complete schedule is available from the AIC at http://www.service.ohio-state.edu/students/aic/ or (614) 247-6834.

WHAT:OSU American Indian Council holds Conference and Powwow

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, (2/27 –2/ 29)

WHERE: On Friday (2/27), conference is in Independence Hall, 1923 Neil Ave.;
Saturday (2/28), conference is in Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave.
Powwow is Saturday-Sunday (2/28-29) in French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Dr.

WHY: To provide advocacy and education to the Native community on campus and also
serve as a cultural event to help form a bridge of understanding to non-Native peoples

MEDIA INSTRUCTIONS:
Media attending the conference (2/27-28) should check in at the registration table located in Independence Hall on Feb. 27 and Hitchcock Hall on Feb. 28.
Media wishing to attend the Powwow should note that it is a spiritual event and photography is NOT allowed at all times. To cover the Powwow, check in at the registration table at French Field House and respect directions from the Master of Ceremonies not to take pictures. Media should ask permission of any subject before taking photos; and in publication or broadcast should identify subjects by name and tribe. Please clarify identification and photography issues with Vicky Stone, a conference organizer who will be onsite and also available by cell at (614) 596-9299.