The Art of Social Change

Know Native America

Monday, October 22, 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Organized and moderated by Lulani Arquette, president and CEO, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation.

Presented by Crystal Echo Hawk, president and CEO, Echo Hawk Consulting; Delanna Studi, actress, And So We Walked; and Deana Dartt, curator Mapping the Camino Indigenous.

In 2017, Reclaiming Native Truth, an illuminating year-long study was conducted that explored public perceptions from across the nation about Native Americans. Key findings of the research will be shared by the lead partner including biases that keep contemporary Native Americans invisible, and revealing information that surprised even the partners. Be inspired by how an artist, a curator, and funder are working to shift public perception between Americans, create new narratives and cultural awareness, and address positive social change through the arts. Mapping the Camino Indigenous will be shared, a traveling arts exhibition to bridge understandings about the El Camino Real as an ancient and well-worn trade route for Native people long before the arrival of the Spanish and the establishment of the Franciscan Missions in California. A writer and actress will share her work, And So We Walked, a contemporary play about a woman and her father’s 900-mile journey along the Trail of Tears. Participants will learn what they can do to help shift the narrative about Native peoples. Takeaways include copies of a Native messaging guide for allies, and greater insight to replace negative stereotypes and structural bias with accurate representation and narratives.