Beginning Nov. 18, Augustana's own Center for Western Studies (CWS) is beginning its new Native American Initiative program for the 2009-10 year.
Events range from a forum on "Tribes as Sovereign Corporations: Inspiring Change" to a recognition dinner celebrating artist JoAnne Bird's work. The events represent a foundation upon which the CWS wishes to build a medium of education.
The principle behind the initiative is to take the daily programming done by the CWS throughout the year and turn it into a proactive program to attract attention to issues affecting Native Americans in the Midwest.
The majority of the events take place on Augustana's campus, ranging from the CWS gallery to the Commons. Some, such as the South Dakota Festival of Books (Sept. 24-26, 2010) are held in downtown Sioux Falls.
The events throughout the year are a means of not only reconciliation, but also a way to look to the future of South Dakota. As the only academic press in South Dakota, the CWS presents an academic platform for the issues in the state and the Midwest.
"One thing we wanted to accomplish is to provide Native Americans a way for them to speak to their own culture," said Harry Thompson, interim director and director of research collections and publications at the CWS. "We want a Native community addressing Native issues."
A specific example of this is the first event, scheduled as the inauguration of the initiative for the year. The event will be a discussion on urban Native American Health Issues on Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m., in the CWS Fantle Building. This particular discussion is being run by Augustana's nursing professor Karla Abbott and Donna Keeler, the executive director of South Dakota Urban Indian Health, Inc.
"The current discussion on health care has a tendency to focus only on certain groups and does not seem to be all-encompassing," Thompson said. "The Native American culture is a large part of South Dakota, and the speakers will be drawing upon urban communities from the surrounding area to address this issue and how it affects Native culture."
"I think it's fantastic that Augustana has the ability to house this for the Native community," junior Regan Diller said. "That culture represents a significant piece of our past."
Thompson says that another issue that will be addressed is how tribes may approach sovereignty in concern to corporate structure. Libby Traversie-Bayless will be speaking on financial education and how the modern structure of corporations may be a model for tribal society, as well as where elements may apply and benefit various communities.
"Because Augustana has a strong foundation in South Dakota, I think it's a wonderful opportunity for the student community to become a bit more educated on the matter," Diller said. "I'm looking forward to the events."
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