The Southeast Indian Studies Conference proved to be a valuable forum for discussion of the culture, history, and contemporary issues of Native Americans in the southeast.

In its 15th year, the two-day conference was held March 21-22 at the Museum of the Southeast American Indian. More than a dozen presenters from Cornell University, University of North Alabama, University of Nebraska Omaha and UNCP spoke on various topics, including food sovereignty, history and culture.

The featured keynote speaker was Stacey Halfmoon, a citizen of the Caddo Nation and a descendent of both the Choctaw and Delaware nations. She serves as director of American Indian Relations for the Ohio History Connection, where she promotes knowledge and understanding of American Indian history in Ohio.

Indigenous author Lena Epps Brooker was among the presenters. Her presentation was titled “Affirming the past, addressing the future.”

“It was such a well-organized conference with presenters who shared so many interesting and informative aspects of American Indian culture, past and present,” she said.

“I was both honored and humbled to share about the purpose of my book and to share some of my hopes for the future of history teaching about our people.”

The conference is sponsored by the American Indian Studies Department.