WSU Hosts 10th Annual Native Symposium

OGDEN, Utah — The 10th Annual Native Symposium at Weber State University, Nov. 10, will include tribal representatives in Utah to discuss “Respecting Sacred Land: Conversations on Water, Waste and Sustainability."

The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will begin with a 7 a.m. sunrise ceremony near the flagpoles west of the Val A. Browning Center. A light breakfast for participants will follow in the Center for Diversity & Unity, Shepherd Union Room 232.

Rupert Steele, former tribal chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, will address the topic of water use on sacred land in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater at 9 a.m. The Goshute reservation in Ibapah, Utah is battling issues with water rights and sustainability. Steele is working to protect the water, which is fundamental to Goshute beliefs and ceremonies.

For many years, The Skull Valley Goshute Indian Reservation has dealt with plans to store nuclear waste on its land. Garth "Jerry" Bear Jr., from the Skull Valley Goshute Indian Tribe, will lead a discussion of the issues in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater at 10:30 a.m.

“This Native Symposium offers a rich opportunity for discussion about the themes of water, waste and sustainability from voices often left out of the conversation,” said Adrienne Gillespie Andrews, WSU chief diversity officer. “By providing a new lens to consider these issues, we hope to increase the marketplace of ideas while sharing challenges and calling people to action.”

A facilitated round-table discussion and luncheon in the Shepherd Union Ballroom will follow the keynote speakers. Please RSVP for the lunch at https://bit.ly/1Q5Vlak.

“The Activist,” a movie that details the suspicious circumstances surrounding the arrest of two American Indian protestors, following the 1973 uprising at Wounded Knee, also will be shown. Utah Education Network will provide the free screenings on Nov. 19 in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater at 10 a.m. and again at 6 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Office of the President. Collaborative partners include Diversity and Inclusive Programs, Sustainable Practices and Resources Center, Center for Community Engaged Learning, Center for Multicultural Excellence, Utah Education Network and the Ogden Weber Applied Technology College.

Detailed schedule:

Nov. 10

Sunrise ceremony with Garth “Jerry” Bear Jr., 7 a.m., meet at the flags west of Val A. Browning Center

Light breakfast for sunrise ceremony participants, 8 a.m., Center for Diversity & Unity, Shepherd Union Room 232

Keynote speech by Rupert Steele, 9 a.m., Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater

Keynote speech by Garth “Jerry” Bear Jr., 10:30 a.m., Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater

Facilitated round-table discussion and luncheon, noon, Shepherd Union Ballroom

Nov. 19

“The Activist” film viewing, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

Contact:

Adrienne Gillespie Andrews, chief diversity officer
801-626-7343 • adrienneandrews@weber.edu

Teresa Martinez, diversity programs coordinator
801-626-6957 • teresaholt@weber.edu