The Department of Kinesiology Presents the 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Speaker Series  

Indigenous Peoples have an inherent responsibility and right to “exercising” sovereignty - the practice of sport and physical activity in performance of our cultural, political, and spiritual citizenship (Ali-Joseph, 2018). While sovereignty is typically referred to or connected with an inherent right to govern ourselves within our own land base, we are expanding the assertion of “exercising” sovereignty as a physical movement. Sport and physical activity have long provided a means for people to “exercising” sovereignty, both individually and collectively. Sport is inherently tied to culture, and for our Indigenous communities, physical movement, exercise, and sport has also been a protective factor in ensuring Indigenous futures.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Alisse Ali-Joseph - (Oklahoma Choctaw), joined the Applied Indigenous Studies family at Northern Arizona University in 2013 and specializes in the importance of sports and physical activity as a vehicle for sovereignty, empowerment, cultural identity, health and educational attainment for Indigenous Peoples.

Dr. Natalie M. Welch - joined Seattle University and the MBA Sport and Entertainment Management program in the Fall of 2022. Natalie is passionate about advocating for Indigenous athletes and equity across all of sport.

*The event is free and open to the public. PLU students should bring their PLU ID cards with them in order to register their attendance at the event.