Shoshone author Darren Parry to headline 17th Annual Native Symposium
OGDEN, Utah — The 17th Annual Native Symposium returns to Weber State University this November as one of several events being held in honor of Native American Heritage Month. This year’s symposium theme is “Honoring Native Sovereignty.”
In partnership with the Native American Cultural Center and the Native American Student Association, Stewart Library is hosting an exhibit about indigenous land acknowledgments on its first floor throughout November. Lawn signs acknowledging the Fremont, Goshute, Paiute, Ute and Shoshone peoples’ stewardship of the land Weber State sits on have also been posted on campus. 
Amanda Jones, program manager for the Native American Cultural Center, said the Native American Student Association is excited to bring discussions about land acknowledgments to Weber State.
“We see this as a great step toward positive action and to start conversations that ask, ‘What do land acknowledgments mean for you and for our institution? What are some concrete actions that can be taken?’” Jones said. “I see this as a time to assist and uplift our people and uphold Native sovereignty.”
Northwestern Shoshone spiritual leader Rios Pacheco will lead a sunrise ceremony to open the month Nov. 1 at 8:30 a.m. at the Stewart Bell Tower.
Author Darren Parry will deliver the keynote speech Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stewart Library. Parry is the former chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation and wrote The Bear River Massacre: A Shoshone History. He has given lectures across the country on Native American issues surrounding history and sustainability.
Other events include the following:
Nov. 14
Wellness through Culture and Community Connections, a collaboration with the Urban Indian Center, 4–5 p.m. in the Shepherd Union, Room 320
Nov. 15
Film screening, Roadtrip Nation: Native Way Forward, 4:30 p.m. in the Wildcat Theater, located in the Shepherd Union
Jessica Kokesh, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7316, jessicakokesh@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu