Session 2: Digital Native Culture
This session’s panelists will discuss the importance of teaching, preserving and sharing cultural knowledge, language and history, and how they see digital media supporting this important work. Panelists include Native studies faculty and Native museum staff involved in creating and encouraging students to create digital cultural materials.
Moderator: Daveishena Redhouse
About the Speakers
Norma Marshall, the College of the Muscogee Nation
Norma Marshall is an instructor and advisor at The College of the Muscogee Nation, where she mentors young men and women by enhancing leadership skills; perpetuating intergenerational sharing of traditional knowledge and contemporary learning processes. Norma is working to preserve tribal arts and cultural skills, vitalizing and revitalizing Muscogee songs, hymns, and way of life as a people. She plans to pursue her research interests, which include tribal language, culture, history, and current events that impact higher education in the Tribal College setting, for which she plans to pursue a doctorate in education (Ed.D.). Norma’s objective is to leave a legacy of having made our world a better place, one in which future generations can live their lives with character and strength.
Jerica Leavitt, Ilisagvik College
Jerica Niayuq Leavitt is Iñupiaq from Utqiaġvik where she was raised her whole life. She holds a master’s degree in Rural Development from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Niayuq works as the Assistant Professor of Iñupiaq Studies at Iḷisaġvik College. Through her work and personal life, her passion is to teach, learn, and share the Iñupiaq language, culture, and traditions to everyone around her. She enjoys picking edible and medicinal plants, sewing, Arctic photography, hunting, camping, and being on the land.
Robert Taken Alive, United Tribes Technical College
Robert Taken Alive is a Native Studies Instructor at United Tribes Technical College. Robert is the father of four children, a Standing Rock Tribal member, previous Tribal Council member and an experienced Lakota Cultural Educator and Lakota Language Educator. With the Lakota Language being his first language, Robert has a broad view of both western and Lakota traditional education.