The 2017 University of Wisconsin–Madison Diversity Forum, “Together: Building Cultural Capacity,” will take place Tuesday–Wednesday, Nov. 7–8, at Union South on the UW campus.
This centerpiece event for the university’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement (DDEEA) continues to address issues stretching beyond the borders of campus. The event is now in its 19th year.
On Nov. 7, the Diversity Forum line-up will include diversity updates, breakout sessions, a Campus/Community Town Hall, and keynote speaker Walter Echo-Hawk, who is a Native American attorney, tribal judge, author, activist, and law professor. He represents Indian tribes on important legal issues, such as treaty rights, water rights, religious freedom, prisoner rights, and repatriation rights. His career spans the pivotal years when Indian tribes reclaimed their land, sovereignty, and pride in a stride toward freedom.
As a Native American rights attorney since 1973, Echo-Hawk worked at the epicenter of a great social movement alongside visionary tribal leaders, visited tribes in indigenous habitats throughout North America, and was instrumental in the passage of landmark laws— such as, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments (1994).
Echo-Hawk litigated in many of the epic struggles and has written extensively about the rise of modern Indian nations as a Native American author with first-hand experience, such as his groundbreaking book, In the Courts of the Conqueror: The 10 Worst Indian Law Cases Ever Decided (2010).
Tuesday breakout sessions will include:
◆ Supporting American Muslim Students in 2017
◆ Words Matter: Developing Meaningful Conversations Around Microaggressions
◆ Tokenism in Disguise: Reclaiming Individualism
◆ Campus Climate Survey Task Force Report
◆ Start from Within Meditation Workshop
◆ Food for Thought: A Look into Food Insecurity in Dane County
◆ Forward in Access: Creating Inclusive Environments for Students with Disabilities
◆ Our Wisconsin: Creating Campus Culture from Day One
The second day of the Diversity Forum will be a Cultural Competency Workshop Training for mental health specialists, student service professionals, and advisors. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested. This event is hosted by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has presented annual Diversity Forums since 1998.
