Dave Larsen: Dakota Leader

History of American Racism and How it Affects us as People.

David Larsen spoke at UMD on Thursday, March 13, in the Weber Music Hall.
The event was presented by the UMD Center for Genocide, Holocaust, and Human Rights Studies as part of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Activities.

David Larsen is a Dakota educator and elder, former Tribal Chairman of the Lower Sioux Community, Tribal Historian, and descendant of Chief Wapasha (Wabasha). He spoke of the burial of century-old remains of American Indians, the 1979 Congressional American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the effect of boarding schools on American Indian culture and of lies still being taught in American schools today. His words added the Native voice to understanding of Minnesota and American history. He brought the spirituality of the Dakota into his presentation, and emphasized today's struggle in the Dakota community to preserve Dakota language and culture.

The clip begins with part of a drum song by the Duluth 709 Drum Group, led by Terry Goodsky.

To Download Apple Quicktime

American Indians in Minnesota Committee
Cheryl Reitan, Publications Director, UMD University Relations; Rick Smith, Director, American Indian Learning Resource Center; Linda Grover, Assistant Professor, American Indian Studies; Alexis Pogorelskin, History Professor and director of the Center for Genocide, Holocaust, and Human Rights Studies.

David Larsen

Co-sponsors
The “UMD American Indians in Minnesota Series” is co-sponsored ZMC Hotels, the MN Sesquicentennial Committee, as well as Lake Superior Writers and the following UMD departments and programs: Chancellor’s Diversity Fund, College of Liberal Arts, College of Education and Human Service Professions, Labovitz School of Business and Economics, American Indian Learning Resource Center, Anishinaabe Student Organization, English Department, History Department, American Indian Studies Department, Political Science Department, Center for American Indian and Minority Health, Royal D Alworth Jr., Institute for International Studies, and the Commission on Women.
For info contact the American Indian Learning Resource Center at 218-726-6379.

UMD's 2007-2008 American Indians in Minnesota Series

Sesquicentennial: 150th anniversary of Minnesota statehood

UMD home page editor, Cheryl Reitan, creitan@d.umn.edu
NEW RELEASES, UMD media contact, Susan Latto, slatto@d.umn.edu, 218-726-8830