Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to speak at OSU Library

Monday, March 16, 2015

Well-known writer and Oklahoma native, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, will give a book talk on March 25, at 3:30 p.m. The free public program will be held in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room, Edmon Low Library.

Dunbar-Ortiz is lecturing as part of a book tour. She will focus on her recent publication, “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States.” The book questions commonly held beliefs surrounding the founding of the United States and the nation's policies regarding indigenous people, while giving an overview of the history and culture of Native American nations.

“She will be really engaging and challenging for people,” head of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program, Sarah Milligan said. “As we grow up and learn about our country’s history in a formalized education system, we are given a certain perspective of how the U.S. was formed and how we should feel about it, and Dunbar-Ortiz challenges those narratives in an aggressive way.” 

Dunbar-Ortiz, a lifelong advocate for Native rights, is the author of several acclaimed books related to indigenous peoples' history, as well as a series of memoirs including her experience growing up in rural Western Oklahoma. 

“This book talk provides the opportunity for a lively discussion, which will not only include a historic perspective, but also prove relevant for cultural engagement and policy development today," Milligan said.    

Following the talk, copies of “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States” will be available for purchase and signing. 

Sponsors for the event include the Center for Oklahoma Studies, OSU Women and Gender Studies and the OSU Library. Event partners include OSU History Department, Native American Student Association, Native American Faculty and Staff Association, Center for American Indian Studies, American Indians Into Psychology, and Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. For more information contact 405-744-7331 or lib-pub@okstate.edu.

Story by Amanda Jones