Missouri State University’s Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, will host a speaking event, “Honoring Experience: Centering Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023,” Monday, Oct. 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. in Strong Hall 401.

The event will feature four short presentations on the historical and contemporary experiences with Indigenous American communities, followed by a discussion forum.

Mr. James Smith, citizen and scholar of Yakama Nation, is scheduled to speak, along with Missouri State professors Dr. John R. Gram, Department of History; Dr. Kayla Lewis, Department of Reading, Foundations and Technology; and Dr. William Meadows, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

Assistant professor of history and Phi Alpha Theta faculty advisor Dr. Chelsea Davis said that administration, faculty, students and members of the public are all invited to attend. “We are prioritizing interdisciplinarity in the content of these presentations, as well as community engagement, by hosting local indigenous activists,” Davis said.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

About Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta, established in 1921, is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. The society has over 400,000 members and over 900 chapters nationwide.

The organization does not require students to be history majors or minors to join, Davis said. The only requirements to apply are having completed four classes in history (which can include transfer credits) and a 3.0 GPA.

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