To honor the culture and people that were the original settlers of this land, November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month. During this time, we celebrate indigenous peoples’ diverse and rich culture, history, and traditions. We also celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 11, as an opportunity for indigenous people to share their contemporary experience and reflect on their heritage, history, and resilience. The Speakers Bureau is proud to represent these speakers that offer further insights into the remarkable history, culture, and present-day of Native Americans.
Tommy Orange
Novelist and author of There There
Kali Fajardo-Anstine
National Book Award Finalist and author of Sabrina & Corina
A Colorado Chicana with roots in Indigenous, Latina, and Filipino cultures, Kali Fajardo-Anstine is the author of National Book Award Finalist Sabrina & Corina. Against the remarkable backdrop of Denver, Colorado, Sabrina & Corina is a moving narrative of unrelenting feminine power and an exploration of the universal experiences of abandonment, heritage, and an eternal sense of home with Latinas of Indigenous descent in the American West at the center of each story. In her engaging and inspiring talk, Fajardo-Anstine discusses the nature of claiming one’s identity, whether that be racial, familial, economic, or social. She speaks on the power of resiliency in understanding where you come from, and draws on her experience as a mixed race woman from a working class background to underscore identity as a tool of empowerment.
David Treuer
Author of The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
D.J. Vanas
Author of The Warrior Within and The Tiny Warrior
An enrolled member of the Ottawa Tribe and a former U.S. Air Force officer, D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is a celebrated thought leader who captivates audiences with the concept of the Native American warrior spirit. Having spoken at Fortune 500 companies, tribal nations, and even at the White House, Vanas teaches organizations how to apply the warrior spirit principles at work to be resilient, lead with courage and character, and thrive even in tough or changing environments.