St. Lawrence University will welcome Haudenosaunee leaders, scholars, authors, and advocates for a public conversation exploring Indigenous perspectives on democracy and their relevance to the challenges facing communities today. This event is free, open to the public, and available via livestream.
The event, “American Indigenous Democracy: A Call for Interdependence,” will take place Thursday, November 12, at 4:30 p.m. in Eben Holden on the St. Lawrence University campus. The conversation is free and open to the public.
Drawing inspiration from the book American Indigenous Democracy: A Call for Interdependence, the discussion will explore the enduring wisdom of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the importance of interdependence, collective responsibility, and community in democratic life.
“The Haudenosaunee Confederacy offers a powerful example of how democracy can be grounded in relationships, shared responsibility, and respect for one another,” says Brenda Papineau, director of Native American Affairs and Community-Based Learning at St. Lawrence. “At a time when our society is grappling with questions about democracy and what it means to be part of a community, we have much to learn from Indigenous perspectives. We’re honored to bring these voices together at St. Lawrence and invite our campus and North Country neighbors to be part of this important conversation.”
The conversation will feature authors with expertise on the topic, including José Barreiro, Beverly Cook, Katsi Cook, Alex Jacobs, and Louise McDonald Herne. Rachel A.R. Porter will moderate the discussion.
Presented by St. Lawrence University's Native American Affairs, the event is supported by the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, littleGrasse Community Farm, Native American & Indigenous Studies, the Department of Political Science, the Center for the Environment, and the President's Office.
Light refreshments will be served. Visitors may park in J-Lot, and a livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.