The Native American studies program at West Virginia University will host a research colloquium on Wednesday, March 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Mountaineer Room at the Mountainlair.
A diverse group of students from across West Virginia will present Native American research on topics from Pulitzer Prize-winning literature to the protection of ancestral cemeteries, cultural identity formation and Native history of the Ohio River Valley.
Bambi Bevill, a regents bachelor of arts major with an emphasis in Native American studies from Wheeling, will present “Blood, Land and Language: An Introductory Examination of How Native American Identity is Shaped by Biology, Geography and Language.”
Isaac Emrick, a history doctoral student from Bridgeport, will present “To Abandon So Beautiful a Home: Indian Connections to the Middle Ohio River Valley, 1640-1754.”
Melissa Pearson, nursing major and Native American studies minor from Fairmont, will present “Lyda Conley: The Fight for Huron Place Cemetery.”
Abra Sitler, a double English and biology major from Bramwell, will present “Kiowa Conservation Practice and Interconnection Reflected in Momaday’s The Way to Rainy Mountain.”
Walter “Trey” Groff, a political science, international studies and Spanish major from Charleston, will present “The Indigenous Rise to the Bolivian Presidency.”
Nickie Ambrozak, a design studies major from Fairmont, will present “Speak!”
The Native American studies program is housed within the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU.
Participants conducted their research while enrolled in courses taught by members of the Native American studies faculty committee, including SilverMoon, department of history; Ellesa Clay High, department of English; Cari Carpenter, department of English and Bonnie Brown, WVU Native American studies program coordinator.
Students interested in Native American studies can earn a minor from the program, choose Native American studies as one of three fields to complete a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies or choose Native American studies as an area of emphasis for the regents bachelor of arts degree.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact Bonnie Brown at 304-293-4626 or BonnieM.Brown@mail.wvu.edu.
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