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March 5, 2001

FIRST NATIONS CONFERENCE TO FEATURE PANELS, WORKSHOPS

It’s not too late to register for the third biennial First Nations Conference March 14-17 featuring 23 workshops and panels. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. each day in the Boise State University Student Union Building.

The conference itself is free to Boise State students with student ID. Each of the keynote addresses is free to the public, but there is a fee to attend the workshops. Cost is $30 general, $10 for Boise State faculty and staff, and free to seniors over 65.

There are four workshops/panels aimed at young attendees. The last of these, at 3 p.m. on Friday, will feature Indian Humorist J. Medicine Hat who has been performing professionally for over 10 years. After an appearance on Star Search, the Showtime Cable Network named him "The Funniest Person in Iowa." He has also appeared on MTV.

Other scheduled workshops include:

  • Empowering Indigenous Perspectives and Practices in First Nations Studies Programs, hosted by L. Aldred.
  • Integrating Naturopathic Health Care for Native Peoples, hosted by A. Dupuis and G. Ferguson.
  • Culture-Based Medicine’s Role in Native American Public Health, hosted by L. Murillo.

    • Panels include:

  • Indigenous Epistemologies: Refining, Decolonizing, and Understanding Native Female Literary Characters and Contemporary Native Students Dropouts.
  • Native American Art Histories.
  • Pakkiata: Shoshone and Paiute Ranchers and Buckaroos of Duck Valley.

    • The last panel of the conference is titled "The ‘S’ Word: The Most Racist Term for Native Women." A short documentary film produced by S. Rosario will start the session, followed by discussion. "Rosario inteviewed Native American women to get their feelings on the use of the ‘S’ word. This is a very powerful film to see," said Gretchen Cotrell, Boise State associate professor of social work and conference co-chair.

    An annual Pow Wow will begin at noon on Saturday and continue through Sunday, March 17 in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom. The Pow Wow is free to all. For a complete schedule of events visit the Web site at www.boisestate.edu/firstnations.

    Contact:
    Debbi Woods-Staley
    First Nations Conference
    (208) 426-3648

    Media Contact:
    Kathleen Mortensen
    Boise State communications and marketing
    (208) 426-3275