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The 22nd Annual Brown University Spring Thaw Powwow is on Saturday April 12th 2025!
Keynote Descriptions
Keynote Descriptions
Thawn Harris and Mack Scott | Friday, 4:00PM
Thawn Harris and Mack Scott | Friday, 4:00PM
Located at Macmillan Hall
The Narragansett tribe is an Indigenous people that have inhabited territories including the State of Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut, and Southern Massachusetts. Despite genocide and colonization, the Narragansett people have continued to exist. After many attempts to eradicate the Narragansett, the state of Rhode Island’s colonial agenda culminated in the illegal detribalization of the tribe’s lands in 1880. This action, while just one of many tools used to attack native communities, had immense repercussions because of its timing. This workshop discusses the Narragansett’s fight to reclaim their status as a federally recognized tribe, and the continued battles needed to assert their sovereignty, including a violent confrontation with state and tribal police, and even a Supreme Court case.
Charitie Ropati | Sunday, 9:00PM
Charitie Ropati | Sunday, 9:00PM
Located at Macmillan Hall
In this keynote, Charitie Ropati (Yup'ik & Samoan), a climate justice advocate and water engineer, will discuss the intersection of Indigenous resistance and climate justice. Drawing from her lived experience as a Water Engineer serving her people throughout Alaska, Charitie will explore how traditional Indigenous knowledge can guide sustainable environmental practices. As a recent graduate of Columbia University, she will highlight the importance of integrating education and policy to empower Indigenous communities in the fight towards climate justice. Charitie will also share her experiences advocating for culturally relevant curricula and passing policies that support Indigenous cultural expression. This talk will inspire audiences to honor Indigenous leadership and wisdom in creating equitable climate solutions.
Workshop Descriptions | Friday, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Workshop Descriptions | Friday, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, Chris Newell, Kiku Langford, and Cathy Osten
Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, Chris Newell, Kiku Langford, and Cathy Osten
Located at Kassar Fox | Foxbourogh AUD
Removing Native Mascots: A Panel on Policy, Protest, and Native Representation
For years, the dehumanization of Native peoples has continued to be perpetuated in sports culture through offensive mascots. Killingly High School in Connecticut has long held the “Redmen” mascot without the consent of surrounding tribes. Through collaborative efforts between the Mohegan-Pequot people, community advocates, and politicians, a bill was developed to make schools ineligible for funding if they maintain Native American names or logos without tribal consent. However, a step in the right direction of respecting Indigenous communities has met significant controversy and pushback due to those holding onto the “history” of these mascots. In this workshop, we welcome Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy), Senator Catherine Osten, Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason (Schaghticoke/HoChunk), and Kiku Langford McDonald as they share their role in the movement to end Native mascots in Connecticut. Through this panel and open discussion, this workshop explores how legislation, community conversations, and allyship can challenge symbols of oppression.
Julia Bernal
Julia Bernal
Located at Health and Wellness Building | Multipurpose Room
Indigenous Environmental Justice: 1680 Pueblo Revolt as an Organizing Tool
Since colonial contact, the Indigenous Pueblo people of New Mexico have been resisting against various waves of colonialism starting with Spanish conquest to American colonization. In order to strengthen our collective movement to address injustices in our communities, it is critical to center our historical resistance. By honoring the 1680 Pueblo Revolt and using this act of resistance in contemporary grassroots organizing strategies, Pueblo Action Alliance works to keep our history relevant and contribute to the overall environmental and climate justice movement by continuing this legacy of resistance. In this workshop we drive into the history of the Pueblo Revolt and the impacts imposed by on-going colonialism and its intersections like extravatism, US imperialism, white supremacy and misinformation.
Workshop Description | Friday, 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Workshop Description | Friday, 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Roberto Múkaro Borrero
Roberto Múkaro Borrero
Located at Health and Wellness Building | Multipurpose Room
Indigenous Peoples Rights at the Local, National, and International Level: A Taíno Perspective:
The Taino Peoples have inhabited the Greater Antilles region of the Caribbean for thousands of years. Despite European occupation of the islands, genocide and slavery, and continued battles for self-determination and recognition, the Taino continue to exist and practice their culture. Kasike R. Mukaro Agueibaná Borrero will discuss his work in promoting Taíno culture and fighting for Taíno Rights, including self-determination. Additionally, he will speak about how his work led him to the United Nations, to fight for the rights of all Indigenous Peoples on a global scale."
Sierra Edd and Kara Roanhorse
Sierra Edd and Kara Roanhorse
Located at Friedman Hall | Room 102
Memory as Movement: Reflections on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
In 2015, Indigenous students at Brown led the effort to secure the first official recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day at an Ivy League university. This session reflects on Native student organizing through institutional and collective memory, centering the voices of Diné women, queer relatives, and the leaders in Natives@Brown who initiated and shaped the work. Together, we’ll examine the politics of visibility, recognition, resistance, and refusal, and explore how these struggles connect to broader movements for Indigenous liberation past, present, and future. We’ll ask: What does it mean to organize both within and against settler institutions? And what do our stories teach us about sustaining this work across generations? Participants will receive IPD Zine: Indigenous Organizing Beyond the Institution, a resource grounded in lived experience, strategy, and care.
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