Noted Amerindian Leader to Speak at FIU

MIAMI, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2001) -- LaDonna Harris, renowned Amerindian national leader and stateswoman, will lecture at Florida International University at 7:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 25, 2001. She will discuss the topic, "A Comanche Life."

Harris, who will spend one week at FIU as the first Helen J. Dunnick Scholar-in-Residence in Native American Religious Studies, will lecture at the Roz and Cal Kovens Conference Center on FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus.

"We are privileged to have someone of Ms. Harris's stature to inaugurate our scholar-in-residence program," said FIU religious studies chair Nathan Katz. "We are especially committed to having our visiting distinguished scholars interact with as many FIU students as possible."

In addition to the public lecture, Harris will speak in seven FIU classes on topics ranging from Native American and U.S. medical practices to American Indian women.

Harris, an advocate on behalf of Tribal America for three decades, is dedicated improving the areas of civil rights, environmental protection, the women's movement, and world peace.

Raised in Walters, Oklahoma by her grandparents (an Eagle Medicine Man and a devout Christian woman), Harris modeled a life and career based on the mutual respect for two cultures.

Harris, who is married to U.S. Senator Frank Harris, was instrumental in the return of the Taos Blue Lake to the people of Taos Pueblo, and to the Menominee Tribe in regaining their federal recognition. She also founded leading national Indian organizations, including the National Indian Housing Council, Council of Energy Resource Tribes, National Tribal Environmental Council, and National Indian Business Association. Currently, she is President of Americans for Indian Opportunity in New Mexico, and last year she was a Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. In 1980 she was the Vice Presidential candidate on the Citizens Party ticket.

The program is supported by the Helen J. Dunnick Endowment for Native American Religious Studies, which was established through a gift by FIU alumna Mary Lou Pfeiffer. In addition to bringing a Native American scholar to FIU each year, the endowment supports library acquisitions and curricular enhancement in Native American studies.


Media contact: Aileen Izquierdo 305-348-6999 izquierd@fiu.edu