The annual Symposium on the American Indian is a mix of scholarly and cultural presentations that are open to the public free of charge. This celebration of American Indian culture and over 100 years of higher education at NSU features workshops on Native American traditions, short films and an ongoing film series. NSU is proud to celebrate a century of Cherokee Nation education, as NSU was founded on the established site of the pre-statehood Cherokee National Female Seminary and continues to serve a significant Native student population. 

Stop by this symposium during its 50th year and spend the day browsing through traditional art vendor booths and enjoying a variety of speakers, live performances, stickball exhibitions and a variety of American Indian games. This event concludes with the NSU powwow, featuring traditional tribal dance such as gourd dancing, all performed to the electrifying beat of drums. Above all, this symposium brings renowned scholars and tribal traditionalists together in a university venue to educate and offer discourse in sovereignty, scholarship, creative works, tribal issues and cultural diversity.