Southeastern Oklahoma State University will host the eighth-annual Native American Symposium, featuring keynote speaker Heather Rae, Cherokee film producer and director.
The symposium begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday with poetry and short story readings in the Native American Room located in the Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library.
The banquet is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in the Visual and Performing Arts Center with Rae speaking at 8 p.m.
This year’s theme is “Images, Imaginations, and Beyond,” featuring presentations on Native American literature, history, sociology, education, science, art and film. Scholars, artists and members of Indian Nations from across the United States and beyond will come together to discuss topics related to the Native American experience.
All symposium sessions and films except for the keynote banquet meal are free of charge and open to students, faculty, staff and the general public.
Rae’s latest feature film, “Frozen River,” (2008) won Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. It will be showcased along with a wide variety of documentary films by student, academic, and professional filmmakers.
The full schedule, description of the films and a registration form for the banquet may be found on the Southeastern Web site at www.SE.edu/nas/.
