Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

University of Montana: Day of Dialogue, all day event on Thursday

JT Shining Oneside shared stories about her Ojibwe and Anishinaabe inheritance during the Native American Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 15. She spoke about the coming-of-age and traditional birth ceremonies. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

Dear Reader:

Today, students, staff and faculty across the University of Montana campus here in Missoula will participate in a Day of Dialogue. 

Here’s the schedule of events for Thursday, most of which take place in the University Center.

Organizers describe the event as “a campus-wide symposium focused on the topics of race, gender, ethnicity, ability/disability, religion, sexual orientation, employment hierarchy and academic discipline. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will deliver presentations, performances, workshops, and more throughout the day.”

“The University of Montana respects, welcomes, encourages, and celebrates the differences among us. In recognition of this commitment, we value all members of the campus community, not in spite of, but because of their differences. The resultant value ambiance influences the way our students perceive the world. These experiences enrich us with a greater understanding of the human condition and the challenges all people must confront in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalized, and ever more interdependent world society,” said George M. Dennison, UM president.

For more information about the Day of Dialogue call 243-5622 or email dayofdialogue@mso.umt.edu.

I’ve looked at the schedule and there are a lot of great presentations scheduled. I’d encourage everyone, to stop by, listen, learn and contribute to the dialogue.

Thanks.

Jodi Rave

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.