Native American Heritage Month: The good, the bad, the ugly, Nov. 30

For immediate release – 11/15/12
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., - Rockford College will host the final fall forum on Friday, November 30, at 4 p.m. in the Rockford College Starr Science Building, room 207, 5050 E. State St., Speaking for the event is John Gamber, Ph.D., an expert on Native American Heritage from Columbia University in New York.

Dr. Gamber received his B.A., from the University of California, Davis, M.A. from California State University, Fullerton (both in Comparative Literature), and his Ph.D., (English) from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Gamber’s research interests in ethnic and literary studies include ecocriticism, transnationalism, immigration, relocation, American Indian, Asian American, African American, and Chicana/o and Latina/o literatures, and literature of the Americas.

Dr. Gamber will observe Native American Heritage Month (November) as a cultural event in the United States. He will relate Native American culture to his book project by asking the questions, "What do Native people and the colonial state stand to gain from this tradition?”, "In what ways are these gains complimentary?” and "In what ways are they contradictory?” Dr. Gamber will also devote attention to contemporary portrayals, images and stereotypes of Native people and nations.

Admission is free, however a ticket is required. Contact the Rockford College Box Office,
815-226-4100 for tickets. To see the fall 2012 Forum Series line-up visit: http://www.rockford.edu/?ForumSeries