Bloomington Indigenous Speakers Bureau
The Bloomington Indigenous Speakers Bureau can help your class or organization learn factual information about American Indians--contemporary people who come from over 500 tribal nations in the U.S. alone. Our speakers come from the Bloomington area and have agreed to give free presentations to local schools and nonprofits.
Who are the speakers?
Bloomington Indigenous Speakers Bureau includes American Indians, scholars, and people who have been involved with the local community--often more than one. To protect their privacy, we have not included direct contact information. To be listed as a speaker, contact us at speakersbureau[at]naccbloomington[dot]org.
How does this work?
To request a speaker, e-mail speakersbureau[at]naccbloomington[dot]org and tell us what topic you are interested in, your organization name, and the date, time, and location of the presentation. We will try to match you with a speaker who is available and put you in contact with one another to arrange the details.
Why use the Speakers Bureau?
There are two reasons:
- The speakers have been vetted. If they claim to be Indian, they are members of federally or state recognized tribes or of legitimate unrecognized tribes such as the Miami Nation of Indiana. All our speakers are involved with local American Indian affairs. They are accountable to local communities.
- The Speakers Bureau is always available. Bloomington is a town in constant flux, with people leaving frequently. If your preferred speaker graduates or moves, we'll help you find another.
What topics do Bloomington Indigenous Speakers Bureau speakers cover?
As of October 2009, the current topic list is:
Arts
- Pow Wow Dances and Jingle Dress Making
- Storytelling
- Cherokee and Other Beadwork Styles
- American Indian Film
Religions and Spirituality
- Healing Dances
- Naming Ceremony Traditions
- Sacred Stories
- American Indian Film
- Spirituality Generally
Cultures and Nations
- Tribes of the Greak Lakes (Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Ottawa)
- Eastern Tribes
- Black Indians
- Race and Ethnic Relations
- Indigneous Peoples South of the Border
- Pan-Indianism
- Ethnohistory
Issues
- Stereotypes and Their Effects on American Indians and Other Groups
- American Indians and the Law
- American Indians and the U.S. Political System
- Activism
- Indigenous Contributions to the World
- Current Issues
- Not Being Taught About One's Tribal Ancestry
- Native American Experiences in Higher Education
