Don Ivy, recently retired cultural resources program coordinator and historic preservation officer for Oregon's Coquille Tribe, will be on campus Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 19-20) as the UO's first Tribal Elder in Residence.

Ivy is beng hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion as part of its inaugural Traditional Scholars Program.

The program is intended to share the wisdom of tribal elders – considered to be repositories and transmitters of knowledge and wisdom – from Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, as well as other communities in the state. Ivy’s visit will focus on enhancing the campus community’s understanding and knowledge of native traditions. 

Ivy will meet with UO President Michael Gottfredson and the university's Executive Leadership Team; lecture in classes; meet with students, faculty and staff; and give two public addresses while on campus.

His first address, “Native Activism, Law and Land Issues,” will be co-moderated by anthropology professor Madonna Moss and Brian Klopotek, an associate professor of ethnic studies. Ivy's talk, which will focus on the convergence of native and non-native law, will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today (Feb. 19) in Room 175 of the Knight Law Center.

“There are two distinct aspects of Indian Country — how things are perceived to be by those who are not of it and how things are for those who are of it, or for some reason find themselves in it,” Ivy said.

He has sought to bring the two perspectives to a place where "each could be appreciated and respected, even if not completely understood, one to the other.”

Ivy’s second address – from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 – will address that theme. “Convergence: Parting Counsel from our Elder,” will be part of his farewell potluck and honoring ceremony at the Many Nations Longhouse, 1630 Columbia St.

Both talks are free and open to the public.

Ivy will also guest lecture in environmental studies, ethnic studies and landscape architecture courses on topics ranging from land and historic preservation to political theory and food systems.

Ivy, a longtime expert on tribal historic preservation and the archeology and history of Southern Oregon, served as vice chair of the Oregon Heritage Commission, and in spring 2013 received an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award.

Yvette Alex-Assensoh, the UO's vice president of equity and inclusion, said she is honored that Ivy will share his wisdom with campus and the broader community.

“The (Traditional Scholars) program is a campus-wide opportunity to recognize and celebrate the presence of native communities and students on our campus and will support our efforts in retaining and recruiting native students," Alex-Assensoh said. "We are delighted about the enthusiastic response from campus and community members to Mr. Ivy’s visit.”

- from the Office of the Vice President of Equity and Inclusion