
Honoring Southeast NC Indigenous Peoples
Honoring Southeast NC Indigenous Peoples is a collaboration between UNCW Community Engagement and Impact, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, and members of several North Carolina tribal communities. This public installation by artist Jessica Clark serves to honor Indigenous cultures on the UNCW campus. The unveiling will be preceded by an entire afternoon of celebration. This event is free and open to the public.
About the Artist
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JESSICA CLARK, Lumbee Tribe of NC Jessica is known for her figurative works of Southeastern Indigenous peoples which document and preserve their everyday lives. Her work has been exhibited in the US and France; including the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Pennsylvania State University, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC and the Painting Center in New York. In 2010 she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Since 2011 she has been a visual arts educator while maintaining a full time art practice. She currently resides in Northern New Mexico and teaches visual arts at the Santa Fe Indian School. |
Land Acknowledgement
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SYMPHONY OXENDINE, Cherokee/Choctaw Tribe
Her research interests include critical awareness of the social and institutional issues that affect the educational performance and institutional support of American Indians and other underrepresented groups, graduate preparation programs, cultural identity development, Historically Native American Fraternities and Sororities, student involvement and its impact on retention, leadership development, policy, and political processes within post-secondary education institutions. Her concentration on these research areas will help shape the direction and development of higher education professionals by assisting in the understanding of various institutional, psychosocial, and political processes as a means to support development for underrepresented students.
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Elder Blessing
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PAMELA YOUNG-JACOBS, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe of NC She was born to a mother who was an activist for the community and father who was the first Vice Chief of the Waccamaw Siouan people. She accepted the mantle of service passed to her from her parents. She is song writer and a poet with works published in Marijo Moore’s Feeding the Ancient Fire. It is the fire that burns bright within her and keeps her pressing on. She is the wife of Marine Veteran, Velton Jacobs, together they have six children and three grand-sons. She is from the St. James community and resides in Buckhead with her family. |
Keynote Speaker
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NANCY STRICKLAND FIELDS, Lumbee Tribe of NC She is the first Lumbee graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies. Nancy earned a master’s degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is currently a doctoral student in the Public History program at North Carolina State University. Nancy’s area of research focuses on Southeastern Native peoples and the American colonial experience. She is a trustee for the North Carolina Humanities Council and serves as a board member for the Robeson County Arts Council and the Museum of the Cape Fear. Nancy is a member of the Lumbee Tribe. Her family resides in and around the Pembroke area. She was raised in Charlotte with very close ties to her family in Robeson County. |
Performers
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ALEXIS RAEANA, Lumbee Tribe of NC |
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SMOKEY RIVER Smokey River is a Traditional Southern Drum from Coharie land, Clinton, NC. Although many members are Coharie, Smokey River also consists of a number of other tribal members from all around the Nation. Our Drum family is always excited to share our songs with the world. We sing for The Creator and The People! |
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WARPAINT WarPaint was established in 2013 in Backswamp North Carolina. Comprised mainly of Tuscarora and Lumbee members, we also have members from the Lakota, Dakota, and Ojibway. One of our main goals as a drum group was to be able to write songs in our language and showcase it across powwow country. We are honored to be part of your celebration. nyà·wę |
Steering Committee
Special thanks to Donyell Roseboro, Jeanine Minge, Kimberley Cheatham, Jessica Clark (Lumbee), Alexis Raeana (Lumbee), Ashley Lomboy (Waccamaw Siouan), Alexis Dancy, Vivian Locklear (Lumbee), Reddgo Long Jr., Nancy Fields (Lumbee), Menaka Raguparan, Anna Ray, Melissa Raymer, Fidias Reyes, Katie Crosby, Emmanuel Mitcham and Kerry Bird (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and Lumbee)Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Rain Location: Lumina Theater, Fisher Student Center
UNCW Amphitheater | |
2 - 4:45 p.m. | Performance: Drumming, singing and dancing |
UNCW Clock Tower Lounge | |
5 p.m. | Gather/Refreshments in Clock Tower Lounge |
5:30 p.m. | Opening Remarks Donyell Roseboro |
5:35 p.m. |
Land Acknowledgement |
Elder Blessing |
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5:40 p.m. | Opening Song Alexis Raeana |
5:45 p.m. | Keynote Speaker Nancy Strickland Fields |
6 p.m. | Artist Address and Public Artwork Reveal Jessica Clark |
7:30 p.m. | Close |
*Please click here for a map with venue details and parking locations.