[OR_Archaeology] Native American Scholar Keynote Speaker at NW History & Heritage Extravaganza April 17

[Susan White]

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER TO KEYNOTE EXTRAVAGANZA

Native American scholar, author and poet N. Scott Momaday is scheduled to present the keynote address April 17 at the Northwest History and Heritage Extravaganza.  Momaday has been referred to as "the dean of American Indian writers." He crafts " in language and imagery" majestic landscapes of a sacred culture.

Momaday has strong interests in Native American art and oral tradition.  His books have been translated into seven languages. He is the first Native American to be awarded the Pulitzer for his novel "House Made of Dawn." He was given the 2007 National Medal of Arts for "introducing
millions worldwide to the essence of Native American culture." His other awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship and the "Mondello," Italy's highest literary honor. His other works include The Way to Rainy Mountain, The Names: A Memoir, The Ancient Child and a new collection, Three Plays, which celebrates Kiowa history and culture.

Momaday's presentation is made possible by the Oregon Council for the Humanities, the Oregon Commission for the Arts, the Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, and the Oregon Heritage Commission, using contributions made to the Oregon Cultural
Trust.

The Northwest History and Heritage Extravaganza, includes the 2009 Oregon Heritage Conference, the Pacific Northwest History Conference and the annual meetings of the Northwest Archivists and the Northwest Oral History Association. It will take place April 15-18 in Portland.

Complete Extravaganza information, including details about the conference content, registration and lodging, is available at http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/Conference.shtml