Winona LaDuke Speaks at UW Jan. 17

Political activist and author Winona LaDuke will be the keynote speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March and Days of Dialogue (MLK/DOD) celebration Jan. 15-19 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. LaDuke, an Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe) enrolled member of the Mississippi Band Anishinaabeg Tribe, is program director of the Honor the Earth Fund that works nationally to advocate, raise public support and create funding for native environmental groups. She will discuss "Wars, Energy, Global Climate Change and the Environment" Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom. Her talk is free and open to the public. An inspiring speaker, she is the author of "Recovering the Sacred: The Power of Naming and Changing" and "All Our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life."

This year's MLK/DOD theme is "The Art of Dialogue." UW celebrates the continuing impact of King's life and ideals through a week-long series of events. They include:
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6-8:30 p.m.: Retired Rear Adm. John Hutson will discuss “Don't Ask, Don’t Tell: The Worst Best Policy,” Wyoming Union Family Room. Free.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 8:30 p.m.: Def Poetry Jam, King Street Market, Washakie Dining Center. The jam provides individuals an opportunity to share with the audience a favorite poem related to diversity. Free.
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m.: Political activist Angela Davis, will talk about “Art, Education, Activism: Beyond Rhetoric to Action,” in the Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom. Free.
Thursday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m.: Comedian Charlie Hill, Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom. Hill is the leader of Club Red, a comedic group that has been called, “Monty Python ... with moccasins!” Free.

The week of activities “renews UW's commitment to make its campus a more welcoming and empowering place for people from different backgrounds, heritages, orientations or abilities,” says Malinda Daniel, MLK/DOD co-chairman.

Labels: Native American writers, politics

- posted by Michael Shay @ 1:49 PM