Vibrant, Resilient, Still Here: Contemporary Native Americans in Illinois

Learn about the lives of contemporary Native Americans in Illinois in this exciting presentation. Pamala Silas, a member of Menominee Indian Tribe and an Oneida descendant, will explore issues about how the public learns about and sees Native Americans and some of the misconceptions, demographic data, and topical issues that the community has prioritized. Together we will discuss provoking questions in smaller groups and ends in an informal circle, similar to a talking circle, to connect some of the themes with participants own family and community experiences.

Pamala Silas has a BS in Economics from DePaul University and a Certification in Association Management (CAE). For over 25 years Pamala led local, and national nonprofit organizations that address issues of equity, leadership, community development and education in underrepresented communities. Pam has provided executive leadership for organizations such as National American Indian Housing Council in Washington DC, Native American Journalists Association and American Indian Science & Engineering. She also served as Executive Director for Metropolitan Tenants Organization, leading aggressive direct action organizing with low income tenants in Chicago. She currently works for Northwestern University as the Associate Director for the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research that operates as a hub for multidisciplinary, collaborative work informed by and responsive to Native American and Indigenous communities.

Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA)], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, IACA, our partnering organizations, or our funders.