By ABBY LaFOREST

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University will host the Indigenous Perspectives Art Symposium, inviting the public to learn about the intersection of art with Indigenous peoples, communities, Tribal governments, and lifeways. Registration is highly recommended, and the event is free.

The symposium will feature experiences throughout the day, such as keynote speakers, panel presentations and breakout presentations to allow for creative collaboration across art mediums and various modes of interpretation.

Jonathan Thunder, a member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, is the keynote artist for the event, hailing from his home and studio in Duluth, Minnesota. Thunder is known for his surrealist paintings, digitally animated films and installations, where he combines both personal experience and social commentary.

Topics covered will include curated traditional Anishinaabe art, the Center for Native American Studies’ outdoor mural project, an Indigenous music performance in Anishinaabemowin, an NMU student panel on Indigenous art, beadwork as resistance and resurgence, and the relationship between art and advocacy.

Candice Dalsing (Mescalero Apache) will also be hosting a viewing of the documentary “Bring Them Home / Aiskotahkapiyaaya,” narrated by Academy Award-nominated actress Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet/Nez Perce,) following the symposium. The film follows a small group of Blackfoot people and their attempts to re-establish a buffalo herd on their ancestral territory following the species’ near-extinction a century ago. This is used as an effort to restore their land, re-enliven traditional culture and bring healing to their community. The showing of the film will be followed by a question-and-answer session with Dalsing.

“This is in line with how we’re trying to center Indigenous thinking more on campus,” said Justin Schapp (Six Nations), assistant director of the NMU Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, in the Northern Center, located on NMU’s campus in Marquette. The showing of “Bring Them Home / Aiskotahkapiyaaya” will begin at 6 p.m. in the Jamrich Hall Theater.

A full list of events, locations and a link to registration can be found at nmu.edu/indigenous-perspectives-symposium/.