Northwestern Oklahoma State University will play host to Native American History Month as part of the Heritage Celebration Series with guest speaker Gena R. Timberman at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16.
The discussion will take place in Carter Hall room 107 for the Alva campus, room 218 for the Enid campus, room 114 for the Woodward campus, and room 127 for the Ponca City location.
Timberman’s talk is titled “Native Warrior Traditions and How They Inspire Us on Our Journey.” This discussion will explore ways in which traditional values inform the culture of Native Warrior societies: What can be learned from Native Warriors? For Native and non-Native people alike—members of the community—what can be learned from examining Native Warrior qualities and how inspiration can be drawn from the warrior spirit in challenges of life and in opportunities connected to one another.
Timberman, who is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, grew up in Mustang and now lives in Oklahoma City. In 1996, she graduated from Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a B.A. in English. She received the “Outstanding Contribution to the Native American Community” award and is the founding President of the OSU American Indian Alumni Association.
In 1999, Timberman graduated from the College of Law at the University of Oklahoma. Today, she currently focuses her practice on Indian Country business development and legal issues in cultural projects and museum administration. In 2013, she formed Luksi Group, LLC, a consulting business that provides cultural direction for creative design. From cultural destinations to events, Timberman draws from her talents and experience to plan successful and sustainable projects that uplift relationships and reflect the diverse and beautiful values of our Native cultures in Indian Country.
Since 1999, Timberman has committed her professional career to the pursuit of making the dream to build an American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma a reality. As the leader of a state agency, the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority, and Director of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, Timberman led the development of a nearly 300-acre site on the Oklahoma River envisioned to be the future home of a world-class cultural destination.
Timberman’s notable awards include: Journal Record’s Oklahoma City Business 40 Under 40, Oklahoma Magazine 40 Under 40, Native American 40 Under 40 presented by National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and The National Indian Gaming Association, Native American Woman of the Year, State of Oklahoma Native American Service Award, and selection as a “Native Daughter” by University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Timberman currently serves as a member of the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City Board of Directors, MAPS Citizens Advisory Committee/River Subcommittee, Oklahoma City Rotary Club 29, Oklahoma Health Center Foundation Board of Trustees, Cultural Development Corporation of Central Oklahoma Board, Creative Oklahoma Board of Directors; and, she is the Immediate Past-President of the Oklahoma Museums Association.
Native American History Month is the whole month of November.
For more information contact Kristin Mravinec at (580) 254-2502 or klmravinec@nwosu.edu or Tiffany George at (580) 327-8414 or tdgeorge@nwosu.edu.