Native American Heritage Month:"Keepers of the Earth - the next seven generations and more" Diversity Dialogues at Eden Hall

Join us for a very special inaugural Diversity Dialogue at Eden Hall. Co-sponsored by Jessica Bartko, Chatham's new Coordinator of Residence Life and Student Activities, special guests Earl and Lee Dingus will engage the audience in a dialogue around Native American and Indigenous culture and its connection to the land and sustainability.

Presenters: Earl and Lee Dingus

Earl C. Dingus, Eastern Cherokee roots are in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In his early teens, he began working silver and his desire to follow the traditional art forms of his Tsalagi (Cherokee) ancestors came from his spirit as he developed his own style. After many years he has become a self taught Silversmith, combining natural products such as wampum, turquoise, corals, jet, mother of pearl, malachite, petrified wood, to name but a few, into his unique jewelry and sculpture creations. Earl is currently an adjunct professor Community College of Allegheny County teaching the Native American Anthropology 3 credit course and in addition he co-teaches with Lee his wife at the University of Pittsburgh's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute a Native American History and Culture Program.

Lee Dingus, is an established artist in both the traditional and contemporary media of Native American beadwork and silver work. Lee creates a wide range of styles with her art. A large portion of her art is done in the form of earrings and necklaces. She has contemporary range of several dozen different styles. In addition to her art Lee has been active in many aspects of Native American Affairs and human rights for over 20 years. She has served as Chairperson for the VA Pittsburgh Health care system EEO committee chairperson, and the Naive American Program Manager and is the Current Chairperson of the Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board Native American Heritage Committee.

Lunch will be served

Location

Chatham University Eden Hall Campus- Ash Classroom, The Lodge

Contact Information

Randi Congleton
412-365-2499
r.congleton@chatham.edu

Event Sponsors/Partners: