Opinion: Annual symposium carries on legacy of Vine Deloria Jr.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011  

"For nearly forty years Vine Deloria, Jr. stood as perhaps the most recognized and respected figure in Indian Country. As a college professor—mostly at the University of Arizona and the University of Colorado—and through nearly 25 books, 200 published articles, and numerous other positions, including a period as the Executive Director for the National Congress of American Indians, Vine was relentless as an advocate for tribal sovereignty, activist for social justice, critic of western science and society, and champion of Indigenous values. He was, simply, a national treasure, the likes of which we may never see again.

On July 7-9, 2011, colleagues, friends, and admirers of the late Sioux scholar and intellectual came together to honor his memory and to carry out his legacy at the Sixth Annual Vine Deloria, Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium. This event is hosted each year by Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, Washington, on the Lummi Nation.

Welcome addresses were given by Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President of Northwest Indian College, and Clifford Cultee, Chairman of the Lummi Nation. The opening prayer was given by Jon Davis. The closing prayer was given by Juanita Jefferson.

The Deloria symposiums, which have been held each summer since his passing in 2005, consist of panel presentations, and individual talks given by specially invited speakers, which address a multitude of topics Deloria dedicated his professional life to. This summer the symposium focused largely on law, policy, sovereignty, and identity issues. Keeping “in the spirit of Vine” and the tradition of the symposium, no PowerPoint or other electronic media presentations are allowed, only oral presentations."

Get the Story:
Steve Pavlik: Carrying Out the Legacy: The Sixth Annual Vine Deloria, Jr. Symposium (Indian Country Today 8/1)