Lecture About Legendary Native Educator March 22, 2009

Juana Conrad, a member of the U.S. governing body of the Baha’i faith, will present a video-illustrated talk about Patricia A. Locke (1928-2001), an acclaimed advocate for Native American education, at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston.

Locke, of Lakota and Chippewa heritage, won a McArthur Foundation fellowship in 1991 for her work to preserve tribal languages and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2005. She played a leading role in the founding of 17 tribally run colleges and served as president of the National Indian Education Association. She was a member of the Baha’i faith and was the first American Indian woman to serve on its National Spiritual Assembly.

Conrad, a professional acquaintance of Locke, will show a video of on-camera reminiscences by people who knew the world-renowned educator.

The New York Times noted that Locke, who lived on the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota, had "worked for decades to preserve American Indian language and became a pioneer in an effort to grant tribes greater authority in the education of their children."

Admission to the talk is included with an entrance donation to the museum. Suggested donation is $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors, students, and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. On the Net: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org.