Balancing the Account: Shifting Public Perception of Native Americans from Deficits to Values with Dr. Jane Simonson

Please join us for a free community lecture with Dr. Jane Simonsen, Professor of History at Augustana College.

Communities across the nation, including in the QC, often recognize Native Americans through public displays of "commemoration." While such displays might be intended to honor Native people, they risk locating indigenous communities in the past rather than the present and emphasizing cultural deficits over cultural values. This talk will explore the historical roots of narratives about Native people and nations that non-Natives still rely on, and consider what kinds of initiatives can change the conversation around Native histories, communities, cultures, and values.