People tacitly accept dominant cultural stories and these stories, if uncritically analyzed, serve to perpetuate distorted perspectives of ourselves, other cultures and peoples, and our country.

Stories construct and describe the world, delineate personal and cultural identity, serve as a recounting of historical events, shape contemporary culture(s) and prescribe direction for the future. A story or narrative is a collection of memories selectively chosen to fit the needs of a particular cultural group resulting in a device that controls the past and dictates the future for all.

At this pivotal time, stories that form how we view ourselves, how we create relationships with the earth we live upon, and each other, need to be critically examined.

Please join Scot Zellmer, faculty of Communications and American Indian Affairs at Minnesota State University for an evening where we examine our own local history and perhaps see the narrative through a different lens.

Admission is FREE of charge. Please RSVP so that we can plan for space.

Speaker Bio
Scot has experienced and enjoyed several successful and significant careers and now centers his energies around research, writing, and teaching within the fields of education and communication.
He is involved with many American Indian communities and facilitates various groups through leadership and cultural experiences. He is often called upon to speak on the cultural and moral imperative to tell a new story of the history of the US.

He serves on the committee for the Mahka To Wacipi (Mankato Pow Wow) and was part of the initiative that prompted the Mankato City Council to pass a resolution declaring the 2nd Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day.

He is also a board member of the Midwest Region Witness for Peace organization.