Jason Younker, an assistant vice president and advisor to the president on sovereign nations, will discuss the American Indian experience and issues related to tribal sovereignty in a talk at the City Club of Eugene.

Younker will discuss “Honoring the Resiliency of American Indian Nations” on Friday, Jan. 9, beginning at 12:05 p.m. The event is held in the third-floor ballroom of the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St.

In his speech, Younker will explain why it is important to remember the resiliency of humanity, not only in the context of colonialism but also globally. Following the presentation, Younker will take part in a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Noting that the American Indian experience differed from what is in many American history books, Younker has spoken on a variety of issues important to indigenous peoples and the 566 tribal nations in the United States. He also has advocated for greater recognition of native people on Columbus Day, a change that already has happened in Seattle.

Younker fills a relatively new position on the UO president’s staff and is responsible for maintaining government-to-government relations with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes and the 42 tribal nations that have aboriginal ties to Oregon.

A member of the Coquille Nation who grew up in Coos Bay, Younker earned his doctorate in anthropology at the University of Oregon in 2003. Before returning to the UO this summer, he was a tenured associate professor and chair of the sociology and anthropology department at Rochester Institute of Technology. He is the current president of the Association of Indigenous Anthropologists.

For information on membership and lunch orders, see the City Club of Eugene website.