"Art as Sovereignty" Symposium

A symposium that weaves together an exploration of the artistry of Indigenous music, fashion, food, literature, tattooing, and typography
About this Event

When it comes to the sovereignty of Indigenous art, who is creating it—and who is enjoying it? Consuming it and benefitting from it … passing it on? From the music that moves us to the food that nourishes us, to the books we read and the typography that frames them, the ink we carry on our bodies to the clothes we wear, Native art is alive and thrives far beyond the confines of what is typically found, static, on gallery walls. And always has. Join UTulsa’s Oklahoma Center for the Humanities for a two-day symposium on “Art as Sovereignty” and experience what Indigenous sovereignty means today through the entry point of art in its many iterations. Experts from across Turtle Island and from various Tribes are gathering in Tvlse Town to consider not just art as sovereignty, but sovereignty itself as art.

Events will be held at the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at 101 E. Archer St. and Magic City Books in downtown Tulsa. The symposium is free and open to all.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. Registering in advance helps us plan for seating and catering and ensures we have enough food and materials for everyone.

Agenda
Friday, September 11, at 101 E. Archer Street

Info:  6:00 p.m. – Opening and Welcome by Sean Latham (University of Tulsa)  6:15 p.m. - Keynote Address by Gerald Torres (Dolores Huerta and Wilma Mankiller Professor of Environmental Justice, Yale School of the Environment, Yale Law School 7:00 p.m. – Panel: "What We Wear": Body, Tattoo, and Fashion as Preservation Through Mobility - Featuring tattoist Nathalie Standingcloud (Cherokee, Creek, and Salish), Britt Reed (Choctaw descendant, Inchunwa Project), Mary Kelsay (Unangax̂/Aleut, MEKA), and moderated by Lisa Fruichantie (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Inchunwa Project)  8:30 p.m. – Indigenous Fashion Show - Presented by Indigichic and Native Fashion Arts Collective co-founders Jessica Harjo (San Carlos Apache) and Veronica Pipestem (Otoe-Missouria/Osage/Pawnee/Sac & Fox), with a live performance by Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota)  9:45 p.m. – Closing for Evening

Saturday, September 12, at 101 E. Archer Street

Info:  11:00 a.m. – Panel : "What’s Your Type? Indigenous Typography and Story", Chris Skillern (Cherokee Nation) and Neebinnaukzhik (Neebin) Southall (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) 12:30 p.m. – Lunch + Short Screening/chef discussion (Concurrent Sessions) Lunch talk with Frybread Factory owners William and Annette Luethje (Cherokee Nation)  2:30 p.m. – Panel "Take Your Medicine: Music and Ceremonial Preservation” - Featuring Angelica Lindsey (Cherokee Nation), Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota), Richard York (Cherokee Nation), Aryn Ward (Muscogee [Creek] Nation Citizen with Yuchi Heritage) and moderated by Gerald Torres

Saturday, September 12, at Magic City Books (221 E. Archer Street)

Info:  4:00 p.m. – Indigenous Horror Talk at Magic City Books:
Jessica Doe (Cherokee Nation) in conversation with Hon. Greg Bigler (Euchee, enrolled with the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma)