Symposia

A few years before his untimely death the renowned Indian law scholar Phillip Frickey delivered a lecture at the University of Kansas citing the “failure of scholarship in federal Indian law” to “grapple with the law on the ground in Indian country” or to educate a judiciary that has little knowledge of Native culture. In the aftermath of Professor Frickey’s critique of the abstract writing of law professors, some academics accepted his challenge and expanded their scholarship to address the problems requiring solutions in Indian country. Many of these efforts have been accomplished in partnership with tribal leaders and in response to their expressed needs. Yet significantly more needs to be done. In the face of increasing hostility to Indian law claims in the federal courts, it is imperative for Indian law scholars to assume some of the responsibility for educating the judiciary about Indian country. Moreover, as courthouse doors are closing, it is necessary for tribes, their counsel, and Indian law scholars to expand their audiences and to search for remedies beyond the courts.

This symposium will highlight the challenges facing tribal communities today and ways in which Indian law scholarship has contributed to tackling the issues “on the ground in Indian country.” While recognizing the success stories, the participants will also be encouraged to redouble their efforts, to stretch themselves beyond their usual comfort zones, and to raise the bar for the academy.

Carlisle, PA Symposium — Oct. 5-6, 2012

August 18, 2012August 17, 2012Matthew L.M. Fletcher

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Carlisle is a major site of memory for many Native peoples. Our hope is that this symposium will bring together Native and non-Native scholars, leaders, artists, and community members to share their work, concerns, and perspectives. Collaboratively we want to create a space for sharing, reflection, creativity, and scholarly work. A number of invited speakers will address the following themes as they relate to Carlisle and the region: sites of memory; indigenous educational issues; relocation (or forced migration); trauma and memory: historical and intergenerational; reclamations: culture, language, and land; narratives: oral, written, and visual.

The conference is free, except for the events below, and open to the public. Advance registration is necessary.

Friday evening, October 5: Lakota dinner – $25 (advanced registration)
Tour of Carlisle Industrial Indian School – $5 (advanced registration for transportation)

For research questions related to the Carlisle Industrial Indian School and former students, click here.

CIIS map created by Jacqueline Fear-Segal for the 2000 Pow Wow