ISU American Indian students hope to educate others about their unique backgrounds Wednesday through Friday at the 32nd annual symposium on the American Indian.

Jill Wagner, American Indian Rights Organization co-adviser and assistant professor of anthropology, said the symposium, titled “Tribal Traditions: Eternal Laws,” is put on to support American Indian students at Iowa State.

“It provides education on political and current issues to faculty, students and staff,” she said.

The symposium is one of the oldest multicultural events in Iowa, Wagner said.

Tim Legg, AIRO president and vice president of the United Native American Student Association, is participating in his fourth symposium this year.

“[The symposiums] are very busy and fast-paced,” said Legg, senior in computer engineering. “Planning them is a year-round activity. There are five of us who actively work on everything. We meet weekly for about one or two hours.”

Legg said the groups try to bring in a keynote speaker, artist and musician for the events.

Wagner said the American Indian population on campus is just under 100 who self-identify. She said the symposium’s events are open to everybody.

“It’s about getting people to come together in a nonthreatening context to hear about these important issues [regarding American Indians],” she said.

In past symposiums, there have been many prominent speakers, including Sherman Alexie, who is the screenwriter of the famous “Smoke Signals” film. There have also been many members from the Meskwaki community, as well as up-and-coming artists from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa.

Irma Wilson-White, UNASA co-adviser and Minority Student Affairs program assistant, said this year’s symposium will focus on issues of sovereignty.

James Starkey will be giving a speech titled “Personal Sovereignty: Transcending the Paternal Order.” Wilson-White said Starkey will be looking at what role paternalism has played in tribes on a national, as well as a personal level.

John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund, will be giving a speech entitled “Native American Rights in the 21st Century.” Echohawk is part of an organization that defends native tribal rights.

Wilson-White said Echohawk will be speaking about the various issues he has been battling that affect tribal entities, such as temperament, environment and tribal welfare acts.

Echohawk and Starkey will also take part in the panel discussion. Wilson-White said the panel will discuss issues of sovereignty and various tribal laws.

The events will conclude with a traditional intertribal powwow, which is open to all. The powwow will include traditional music and dance.

“We hope everyone comes to the powwow,” Wagner said. “There will also be demonstrations of types of dancing and drumming.”