Welcome Back Event: Dawnland Screening

Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative
, Room 101 (True North Classroom)

Join the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative on February 15 as we welcome Brown University students, staff, and faculty members back to campus with a screening of an Upstander Project film, Dawnland.

Be Advised: This film may especially impact those separated from family, sent to boarding school, adopted, or fostered. We encourage you to consider this prior to attending the event or watching the film. Please take care of yourself and others.

The screening will be accompanied by a conversation between Mishy Lesser, Learning Director for Upstander Project and co-Director of the Upstander Academy, and endawnis Spears (Diné, Ojibwe, Chickasaw, Choctaw), co-Director of Upstander Academy, founding member of the Akomawt Educational Initiative, and Tribal Community Member in Residence at NAISI.

Dawnland Film Synopsis (from Upstander Project):

“The question about Indigenous peoples and North Americans is the fundamental question of this land. Maybe all the fractiles in creation since the arrival of Columbus, that finally accumulated enough power to create the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.” —gkisedtanamoogk

For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to “save them from being Indian.” In Maine, the first official Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the United States begins a historic investigation. Dawnland goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.

Join us for a reception at 6PM. Event open to Brown University staff, students, and faculty only. Please RSVP with a free ticket here.