Dynamic Women’s Conference set for April 17 at Artesian, Cultural Center

CONTRIBUTED BY Dana Lance, Media Relations.


This article appeared in the April 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SULPHUR, Okla. - A day of sharing the imaginative and empowering vision of artists, musicians, scholars, athletes and others is planned for the 2014 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Women’s Conference and Forum. The conference and forum will take place Thursday, April 17 at the Artesian Hotel and Chickasaw Cultural Center, both in Sulphur.

This annual event salutes the valuable contributions, skills and talents of dynamic Chickasaw women, through panel discussions, sessions and lessons on topics related to the Chickasaw experience and the panelist’s personal endeavors.

“The Chickasaw Dynamic Women’s Conference and Forum is not only a celebration of the accomplishments of vibrant Chickasaw women, but it honors these dynamic individuals who continue to strengthen and fortify the Chickasaw Nation and their community through good works and visionary leadership,” Gov. Bill Anoatubby said.

The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration in the Artesian Hotel lobby. Opening remarks are set for 9 a.m. followed by two breakout sessions “Lessons Through the Lens” by Kristina Kirtley and “Beautiful Life, Beautiful Art” led by Brenda Kingery.

A second breakout session begins at 10:30 a.m. with a selection of three discussions “Financial and Retirement Planning” led by Traci Tuck Davis, “Physically Active and Healthy Lifestyle” led by Nikki Lowe and “Professional and Career Development” by the Chickasaw Nation Training Department.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Shannon Speed’s keynote address.

A dedicated Chickasaw anthropologist, Dr. Speed was named 2013 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year by Gov. Anoatubby.

A resident of Austin, Texas, Dr. Speed is a committed advocate of collaborative research, working in Mexico and in Texas. She also coordinates the Indigenous Women Migrants Oral Histories Project.  She played a key role in founding the Indigenous Studies Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin, which she also directed from its inception in 2007.

Afternoon conference sessions begin at 1 p.m., with a forum entitled “The Creative View” with panelist Nancy McDoniel, Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham and Kristina Kirtley. Dr. Traci Morris will serve as moderator.

Session four “The Next Generation” features Olympic trainee Kayla Chappell, artist Faithlynn Seawright and musical talent Myraya Hall.

Session five, “Express Yourself,” beings at 4 p.m. and will feature Margaret Roach Wheeler, Kristin Dorsey and Maya Stewart. The session will be followed by a fashion show.

“Art of the Chickasaw Woman” art exhibit opens at 5 p.m. at the ARTesian Gallery and Studios.

The Dynamic Women’s Forum begins at 6 p.m. at the Chickasaw Cultural Center’s Anoli Theatre.

Featured speakers and panelists for the evening forum include Dr. Speed; Mary Ruth Barnes, American Cancer Society state director of planned giving; Deanna Hartley, former Chickasaw Nation Attorney General; Patricia Hays, former education administrator; and Nikki Lowe, mixed martial arts professional.

The forum will include a question and answer session with audience members.

About Dr. Shannon Speed

A committed advocate of indigenous people, Dr. Speed’s distinguished career has been dedicated to research and teaching on Native peoples. She has worked for the last two decades in Mexico with Mayan communities. Her research and teaching interests include indigenous politics, indigenous women’s rights, human rights, indigenous-state relations, law and social systems, indigenous migration and activist research.

“Dr. Speed is the epitome of a dynamic Chickasaw woman,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “She is dedicated to promoting social justice and equality through research and education. Her work is helping develop a greater understanding of indigenous cultures which could help enhance the quality of life of Native people around the world.”

As a Chickasaw citizen with decades of experience working with indigenous people in Latin America, Dr. Speed has a long-standing interest in fostering dialogues among indigenous peoples.

She is an accomplished author, publishing numerous books and edited volumes in English and Spanish.

Dr. Speed’s current research is on indigenous Latin American women migrants and gender violence, and she has two books in progress.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University, a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas, and a master’s and doctorate in Anthropology and Native American Studies from the University of California, Davis. She is currently an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies and has recently served as Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. She is also active in the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association.

Dr. Speed is a proud Chickasaw and has been part of the Chickasaw Community Council of Central Texas since 2006. She has served as an at-large board member and as secretary of the board.

A Los Angeles native, Dr. Speed is the granddaughter of Dawes enrollees Samuel Joseph Speed (Chickasaw) and Ottilie Josephine “Jo” Reichert (Choctaw).

About the Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year Award

Established in 2006, the Dynamic Women award honors Chickasaw women who have made significant contributions to the Nation, served as role-models to other Chickasaw women and who have made a difference in the lives of Chickasaws and other citizens, enriching their communities and society at large.

The Dynamic Woman of the Year Award salutes the contributions that the recipient has made to improving and enhancing the lives of those around her, her professional accomplishments and her dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of the Chickasaw Nation.

Women who are considered for this award are those who are distinguished and are pioneers in their professional field; those who have championed other women and women’s issues; and those who exemplify and uphold Chickasaw values, culture and traditions.

The Dynamic Women’s Conference and Forum is presented annually by the Chickasaw Clemente Humanities Studies program through Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities in partnership with East Central University.

For more information, please contact Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities at (580) 272-5520.