WHAT: The Committee on Institutional Cooperation's American Indian StudiesConsortium, a group of 13 Midwestern research universities includingthe University of Illinois at Chicago, presents "Native Peoples andMuseums: Building Reciprocal Relationships for the 21st Century."

"It's important to explore evolving research and partnership issues tofurther expand study and understanding of American Indian cultures andexperiences," says Brian Hosmer, UIC associate professor of history,coordinator of the Native American studies program at UIC, and directorof the consortium. "This is a timely program as the Smithsonianprepares to open the National Museum of the American Indian later thismonth."

The organization's third annual conference is supported by the NewberryLibrary's D'Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History and theRockefeller Foundation. The committee is headquartered at the NewberryLibrary.

WHO:Leading museum directors, curators and educators in the field ofAmerican Indian studies. Many presenters are of American Indianheritage.

WHERE:The Newberry Library60 W. Walton St.

WHEN:Sept. 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DETAILS:A special reception on Friday, Sept. 10 introduces attendees to theIrwin T. and Shirley Holtzman Collection in American Indian Literatureat UIC. American Indian novelist Susan Power (Yanktonnai Dakota), anative of Chicago, is the featured speaker. The reception takes placefrom 5 to 7 p.m. at UIC's Richard J. Daley Library, 801 S. Morgan St.

Scheduled conference sessions include:"¢National Museums and Challenges of Collaboration, Interpretation andRepatriation"¢Museums, Tribal Communities and Universities: Forging EffectivePartnerships"¢Museums as Sponsors of Cultural Research and Production

Admission to the entire conference is $35 per person. Registration isrequired. For more information visithttp://www.cic.uiuc.edu/programs/AmericanIndianStudiesConsortium or call (312)255-3564.

A complete list of conference presenters and topics is available uponrequest.

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details