Mid-America Christian University (MACU) welcomed 80 Indigenous high school students to its campus for the third annual First Americans Youth Conference during Native Heritage Month.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Cornel Pewewardy, UCO professor and recent inductee into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame, and Rev. Dr. Justine Wilson, pastor at Norman First American United Methodist Church.
“The First Americans Youth Conference is a day for Indigenous youth to connect with accomplished leaders and academic professionals in their community.” said Erica Alvarez-Stanton, Executive Director of Admissions and Community Outreach. “Our goal with this conference is to provide a platform for open dialogue amongst our local youth and current professionals in their field. Our hope is that through personal stories our youth will be inspired and encouraged to see the value of higher education as they shape their own futures.”
The conference featured a vibrant cultural dance performance by the Native Heritage Club from Riverside Indian School, an all-Native American boarding school. The group showcased a range of traditional dances that celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.
Attendees also took part in a hands-on Native American beadwork workshop led by Sue Fish, a celebrated artist and member of the Chickasaw Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The students learned traditional techniques and gained insight into the cultural significance of beadwork as an expression of identity and storytelling in Native communities.
All students who attended the event were entered for a chance to win a MACU scholarship up to $6,000.