American-Indian sovereignty will be the focus of a lecture Thursday as part of the 32nd Annual Symposium on the American Indian.

James Starkey, an Itaziptco Lakota, will present “Personal Sovereignty: Transcending the Paternal Order” at 8 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union as part of the four day series of events. Starkey is also featured artist for the symposium.

Irma Wilson-White, co-adviser to the United Native American Student Association and program assistant for Minority Student Affairs, said American-Indian tribes are to be treated as sovereign nations and given the right to make their own decisions, but the U.S. government continues to watch over their shoulders like an unwanted “big brother.”

Wilson-White said Starkey’s art work is inspired by events American Indians have experienced in the last 500 years, which helped him to give a long-range picture of where American Indians have been and his hopes for the future.

Tim Legg, president of the American Indian Rights Organization and senior in computer engineering, said Starkey will discuss his life experiences to give people a better idea about the American Indian of the 21st century.

“It’s an opportunity to learn a life experience from somebody that’s different,” he said. “This is because [Americans Indian] do exist, even though some people think we’re just an invisible minority.”

Wilson-White said Starkey is a dynamic speaker.

“That man is full of surprises. He’s very entertaining, but mostly he does strive to educate,” she said.

Wilson-White said she gained an appreciation for Starkey’s art work after viewing one of his paintings on display in Sioux Falls, S.D., and wanted to bring him to Iowa State. However, the process was hampered by authorities in South Dakota who attempted to keep Starkey’s gallery show solely in the state, Wilson-White said.

Two years later, Starkey will finally make his debut at Iowa State, she said.

Wilson-White said she expects Starkey to discuss a wide range of topics, including his hopes for a move from less paternal society to more individuality and details about his unique background and how it has brought him to where he is today.

Starkey lives in Sioux Falls and focuses on educating others by giving speeches and presenting his writing and artwork in South Dakota. He also leads the Oyate Underground, a local support group for indigenous people.

Starkey will also take part in other symposium events. An informal discussion on his artwork will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, a panel discussion titled “Tribal Laws and Issues of Sovereignty” will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday and his artwork will be on display through April 7, all in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union.