By Carrie Bradshaw-Buckley, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
"New Heights, New Horizons" is the theme for the 2011 Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference and Forum, set for Thursday, April 21 at Chickasaw Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi in Ada, Okla.
Carrying an aviation theme to honor Chickasaw pilot and dynamic woman Pearl Carter Scott, the all-day conference will feature sessions to encourage participants to seek new heights and horizons for wellness, strong relationships and productive living.
Agenda for the conference is as follows:
9:00 a.m. Registration
9:30 a.m. "Finding Your New Heights and Horizons" featuring Steffani Cochran, vice chairperson for the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C.
10:30 a.m. "Wholeness: Catching Your Tailwind" featuring Dr. Judy Parker, Chickasaw Nation Division of Health administrator, and Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten, NOAA meteorologist and engineer
Noon Luncheon with keynote speaker Millie Blackmon, 2010 Chickasaw Dynamic Woman of the Year.
1:30 p.m. "Creative View" Roundtable on Relationships: "Houston... we have a problem!" featuring Dr. Traci Morris & Robyn Elliott, administrator, tribal Division of Communications, Media and Community Development; other members include Chickasaw artist Brenda Kingery and Steffani Cochran
3:00 p.m. "Defying Gravity: When Up Feels Down" featuring Chickasaw author Rebecca Hatcher Travis and Chickasaw Times office manager Vicky Gold
4:00 p.m. Women's Fair, Book Signing & Art Show
5:00 p.m. Reception & Soaring Entertainment
Hors d'oeurves & entertainment with Native duo "Injunuity"
(for conference registrants only)
6:30 p.m. Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Forum featuring panelists Richenda Brown, tribal elder; tribal legislator Connie Barker; State Arts Council artist in residence Kelley Riha and arts & humanities director Frieda Clark.
All sessions are free but luncheon tickets are $10 per person. Tickets must be purchased by noon Tuesday, April 19.
The forum is presented annually by the Chickasaw Clemente Humanities Studies program through the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities in partnership with East Central University. Its purpose is to salute the valuable contributions, talents and skills of the dynamic women of the Chickasaw Nation.
"Art of the Chickasaw Woman" will be on display following the conference at the McSwain Theatre gallery, 130 W. Main in Ada, until May 2.
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Division of Arts and Humanities at (580) 272-5520 or email laura.clark@chickasaw.net.
