Presentation 1 - Influence of Federal Boarding Schools on Indigenous Relatives

Monday, November 28,2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The presentation will examine the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report released in May 2022 by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs "It is the Department's first investigation of the Federal Indian boarding school system. The Department developed an official list of Federal Indian boarding schools for the first time. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), in partnership via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department, was instrumental. The Department has also started to identify locations of marked and unmarked burial sites of remains of American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian children at or near school facilities." The presentation will also visit how Deb Haaland, the US Secretary of the Interior is involved in this effort.

Presenter: Kiara Weathersby is an enrolled citizen of the Diné Nation and born for Nahilii of the Chicksaw & Choctaw of Mississippi. She was born and raised in Kinlani (Flagstaff, AZ). She serves as a Manager of Student Development for the Office of Indigenous Student Success in Student Affairs at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Kiara is a two-time alumna from Northern Arizona University with dual degrees in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Management and Psychological Sciences. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Indigenous Education through Arizona State University's School of Social Transformation. Currently, Kiara serves as a Co-Chair for the Comission for Indigenous Peoples at NAU and a Commissioner for the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission. JOIN HERE

Presentation 2 - Elderhood Teachings

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

A panel of 2-3 Elders will share a teaching that can be used to assist on life's journey. Elders are respected individuals who play key roles in Indigenous Communities. They are important traditional knowledge keepers, and they also help to ensure cultural continuity. As living connections to the past, Elders serve as teachers, mentors, healers, advisors, counselors, and leaders. JOIN HERE